Windows Forum

Ask something
Question Locked

Intel x64 chips vs 32 bit software

0 helpful
11 replies

by smithdm

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I am looking at upgrading my main computer to Intel Core 2 Quad core Q8300 early next year. The Q8300 is listed as x64 architecture. My current CPU is an old 32 bit Pentium 4. Windows 7 is now pre-ordering but I only find 32 bit versions from places like Costco. Will a 32 bit operating systems run on the 64bit x64 architecture? I know the Q8300 will handle virtualization for Win 7 Pro?s XP support. Anything else I really need to be aware of? Yes I am aware 64bit operating system is much faster than 32 bit but a lot of home software packages will not support 64bit either. With Win 7 coming out I suspect this question would be of interest to many people who will be upgrading their computers when Win 7 come out.

11 replies

by deadly ernest

you will not get the full capabilities of the hardware and you need to get 32 bit drivers to work the hardware. 32 Windows has been running OK on 64 hardware for a few years now.

by oh smeg

Yes probably the most important thing relating to 32 Bit Operating Systems.

Any 32 Bit OS no matter who makes it [b]Can Not[/b] support more than approximately 3.25 GIGS of System RAM. This is the complete System RAM that is used inside the computer and includes Video and System RAM. So if you have a 1 GIG Video Card if you fit more than 2.25 GIG it will not be accessed by the system and you will effectively be wasting money.

Also depending on the type of M'Board that you buy they will support either Dual or Triple Chanel RAM and to get the best performance possible out of the OS you will need to correctly configure your Hardware to run in the highest supported Mode. So with Dual Chanel RAM you need 2 Sticks of Identical RAM fitted in the Correct Sockets as outlined in the M'Board Manual. With most M'Boards you can fit up to 4 RAM Modules but they have to be in Matched Pairs to retain Dual Chanel Mode and they do need to be fitted tot he correct Sockets.

If you do not do this you will lock the system in Single Chanel Mode and cut the FSB by at least 50%.

When it comes to Tri Chanel RAM the same applies except that instead of 3 RAM Modules you need 3. So to get the best performance possible you need to use slightly more RAM that the System can support and install Matched Sets.

The same applies to 64 Bit Systems except the 3,25 GIG Upper Limit. Currently there are no M'Boards made that can exceed the Memory Load that a 64 Bit OS can use. ;)

Col

by smithdm

Thanks, I had totally forgotten 32 bit OS memory limit was that low. Especially since I was planning on starting with at least 4 gig. I was aware of the DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 pairing issues.

I was in IT for over 30 years but retired 4 years ago. I have been running Win XP on a Pentium 4 since 2002. Now with Win 7 I plan to upgrade both the computer and OS. I try to keep semi-current but really hadn't been paying attention to x64 architecture and 64 bit OS issues. Now I will have to do so.

I suspect I really asked the wrong question. I should have been inquiring about 32bit applications running on 64 bit OS. Most consumer and business applications are still 32bit but most new computers really require 64bit OS. Since I haven?t seen any articles on it I ?assume? 32bit applications will run on 64bit OS. Most applications only say they are certified for Vista without mention of 32 or 64 bit. I am therefore going to ?assume? that when an application says it is certified it will run on both the 32 and 64 bit versions. Of course if it specifically says 64 bit then you must have the 64bit OS.

by oh smeg

That is exactly the way that things are. When there is no mention made the Software is 32 Bit and with Windows it does run 32 Bit Applications on a 64 Bit OS though some drivers may be different.

Personally I'm running XP 64 Bit on this workstation and besides when it was first installed there not being enough drivers it now seems to work well. When running the RC Version of 7 it is interesting to see some items not supported the 32 Bit Version of 7 Supports the Video Capture Card in this unit but the 64 Bit Version doesn't. Under Vista and XP this is supported. I'm not trying to understand [b]Why it Is So[/b] just reporting what actually happens. ;)

Col

by smithdm

First I didn't realize they even made a 64bit version of Win XP.

Video capture may be an issue for me. One of my main reasons for going to the Quad-core was video capture and editing. Video editing on this old machine can take a looong time. My Photoshop CS4 Extended could also use the higher powered machine.

I will be using the Win 7 Pro version with the virtual machine running XP so maybe that will handle the video capture problem. I figure the Virtual XP will handle a lot of the old stuff I have that I really do not want to part with. That and I still do a little volunteer IT and photography work for local non-profits. They are all XP on older machines. None of them trust Vista.

Thanks again. I feel a little better I am not going to hit major road blocks. The big push to know here was Microsofts 10 day half price pre-order sale on WIN 7. I have ordered two copies so I will have them when needed some time next year. The $95 upgrade from Costco is bad enough. The full price upgrade of $200 would just hurt too much. An upgrade really should not cost more than $50 max.

by oh smeg

The only upgrade option is the Full License Price and to make matters worse you need to perform a [b]Clean New Install.[/b] ;)

OH the Video Capture is a Card Issue not a OS Issue. The Aver Media Card that I have is not supported by Windows 7 well at least not the RC version that is currently available.

Col

by smithdm

I plan on doing a clean install so that isn?t an issue. You say you have to go full price for upgrade from Vista Ultimate. Can I assume this is because the equivalent Win 7 is not on the half price sale? That is going to be nasty for the home power user. Luckily everything I believe I need even for a home network is covered by Win 7 Pro.

Since I will get a new capture card I am going to ?assume? the Win 7 drivers will be available in the near future. Does your capture card run on Vista but not Win 7 or like me you are going straight from XP to Win 7?

by slayer_

If its multi threaded, than a quad core can help you, otherwise, you may actually get better performance from a single 3.2ghz core over 4 2.4ghz cores.

by smithdm

Yes I am aware that under certain circumstances non-quad software will run better on a non-quad-core cpu. However I am going quad-core for the long term. I do not want a machine that is useless in three years. I have kept my Pentium 4 with Win XP and 2 gig memory for approx 6 years. It is only now getting to the point of having real problems with new software. I am hoping the quad-core will last as long. I also have a tendency to run two or more programs that are resource hogs. The multiple cores plus additional memory should solve that problem - at least for now.

by oh smeg

But I have systems here with Vista and 7 installed. The Video Capture Card is a Aver Media one that originally came after Vista was released but was supplied with XP Drivers.

The thing works perfectly under Windows XP, XP 64, Vista, Vista 64 and 7 but not under 7 64. I'm not even trying to understand that but I assume that the Hardware Makers will either release new Drivers or a New Capture Card that is 7 64 Compatible in the near future.

Col

This discussion is closed to new replies.