[Tech, don't come in and tell me to get off Windows kthnx ]

[Yes, my computer is 64-bit compatible]

I want to upgrade. I want to get my ass off of Vista and into 7. BUT I HAVE PROBLEM: should I go for 32-bit or 64-bit?

I've got a few questions regarding the two:

• Will 64-bit cause compatability issues?
• Will 64-bit run faster? I have 4GB RAM now, which (I believe) is the limit for 32-bit. Will 64-bit use this better-er?
• If I post a couple of specs, will that help?

Its sorta hard to answer. In a short list:

• 64-bit Windows has very few compatibility issues (far less than 64-bit Linux and even fewer yet than 64-bit Mac).
• It won't run faster most likely - there are rare scenarios where an application could run faster, but just as many where it will run slower. Usually this will be minor, though.

It came with the setup files for Vista 32-bit and 64-bit there, but I opted to install 32-bit. I heard that Vista had horrible compatibility issues with 64-bit.

Two words, Nin: Get Linu---/./Shotshotshotshot././

Nosrsly, popping up to 64 shouldn't be any issue. You should see a problem initially with Vista and 7 fighting over dominance, if you've screwed the install up. But if you're half awake and follow the prompts without rushing through it and take your time, you should do just fine.

if your computer is eligible for 64-bit and u install it, all your getting is just more detail in graphics. Its just extra stuff. The required amount of RAM for the 32-bit is at least 2 GB. 64-bit requires about 3-4 GB. The 64-bit won't necessarily cause compatibilty issues but if u are a gamer then yes use 64-bit if compatible. 64-bit won't necessarily run faster but will have better performance. If your pc is fast i suggest 64-bit but if its slow and you can't trust your pc stick with 32-bit. I'm running a hacked but registered version of Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit and it runs fast on my 2005 Gateway laptop. Ningamer... your processor and all of the details on your pc are great. I would recommend 32 bit but its your computer.

The doulbe speed at least on linux is only really seen on heavey processing transcodeing movies and music, 3d rendering, and webserver and database.

As far as windows goes you wont really see the difference because almost all applications are compled for 32 bit so your 64 bit os is "thunking" the 32 bit to 64bit. Now if you run server 2008 x64 thats another story.

Go with 64bit. It will let you use any extra memory you put on it from 4GB up and has a number of stability and security improvements, such as mandatory signed drivers and kernel patch protection. In terms of speed it depends on the program. Core OS files will be 64bit and will run slightly faster, though bear in mind not all programs get the same boost. But for example, 7zip is available in 64bit version, and relies heavily on math that x64 boosts in performance. 64bit is the future, and as soon as 4GB+ computers become the norm, the market will drop nearly all 32bit windows versions. That time is approaching fast, and already a number of respectable gaming rigs out there which have 4GB or more RAM, come preinstalled with 64bit windows.

With compatibility you need to understand one thing: anything that needs to install DRIVERS into the system NEEDS to have 64bit support. It does NOT need to be completly a 64bit app necessarily. For example, SpeedFan is a prog that monitors some hardware parameters such as component temperature. To do this it needs to install a driver into Windows. The program itself is entirely 32bit, but when it installs it has both 32 and 64bit drivers included in its package, so it will work. Many programs nowadays provide both 32 and 64bit support. Again the ONLY programs of concern are those that install drivers. Among them there are: some low-level system tools, antivirus and firewall software, graphics drivers. A LOT of these are either completly available in 64bit versions or have 64bit support by having the x64 driver bundled with the package. Currently all respectable brands of anti-malware and graphics drivers support x64. The only problem might be if you have some older hardware like a printer which is no longer supported, and never released a 64bit driver. I had this problem with my webcam, which was some noname crap anyway, and the new one I got is a LOT better.

As for 32bit apps which do not install drivers, about 99.9% of them will work on x64 just as they did on x32. Examples include games, utilities, media players, codecs, web browsers, chat clients and so on. You can expect all of this to work fine on x64.