Which OS to upgrade to

[ML52]

I am thinking of upgrading my computer from XP but don't know which OS to go to. I'm thinking windows 7 SP1 64 bit home.

System Manufacturer   ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC
System Model   P5W DH Deluxe
System Type   X86-based PC
Processor   x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 6 GenuineIntel ~2404 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date   American Megatrends Inc. 1201, 8/15/2006
SMBIOS Version   2.3
Windows Directory   C:\WINDOWS
System Directory   C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device   \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Total Physical Memory   4,096.00 MB
Available Physical Memory   1.35 GB
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory   1.96 GB
 

[100Coogn]

Check out this link.  http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,372150.0.html

Some good advice in there.

Coogan 

[ML52]

Thanks 100Coogan. After reading that link I called BestBuy and talked with tech support. He said my computer will handle win7 and I should get the 32bit version.

[100Coogn]

Is there any reason why you wouldn't consider 64Bit.  Your system appears to have enough umph to run it.
Newer software/games will be for 64Bit, but many are 32Bit compatible.
If I'm not mistaken, you will be capped at that 4GB RAM on a 32Bit Windows OS, whereas on 64GB you can go much higher. (If your motherboard supports more than 4GB RAM)

Coogan

[edog1977]

^ The motherboard only supports 8GB DDR2.

To the OP, I would think long and hard before I spent money upgrading the operating system. I would make a new computer a priority.

[ML52]

100Coogn that was what the tech support guy from bestbuy told me to get. I do plan on a new computer but not till later this year.

[Bizman]

I would take the 64 bit version. 32 bit versions only can handle 4 GB of memory and if I haven't misunderstood the memory of the graphics is included.

Since you're going to build a new computer later you can use the OS you bought for that new one, too, presuming the installation from the current one will be removed. If you're going to get the new computer in a few months, you might even consider running the new OS in demo mode for 120 days without activating it as described here: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/extend-the-windows-7-trial-from-30-to-120-days/.

[Skuzzy]

Do not waste money on a 32 bit version of the operating system.

The 32 bit OS cannot run 64 bit applications.  The 64 bit version can run both 322 bit and 64 bit applications.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

And you are going to need more ram if you want to run Win7 properly with games and other apps. The real question is if it's worth to buy 8Gb or DDR2 to the old computer or just refresh the whole thing while at it. Usually it's counter productive to start upgrading the OS to an old computer. You may not even find suitable drivers for the old hardware.

[715]

I would take the 64 bit version. 32 bit versions only can handle 4 GB of memory and if I haven't misunderstood the memory of the graphics is included.

I don't believe this to be correct: the graphics memory is paged in and uses up only a fraction of the total graphics card memory size in CPU memory space.  I have 32 bit Win XP and 4GB of RAM with a 2GB GPU yet I have way more than only 2GB of CPU RAM available.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I don't believe this to be correct: the graphics memory is paged in and uses up only a fraction of the total graphics card memory size in CPU memory space.  I have 32 bit Win XP and 4GB of RAM with a 2GB GPU yet I have way more than only 2GB of CPU RAM available.

No it is correct. Current graphics card can use 4-8Gb of ram by themselves. The 32-bit memory subsystem can't handle anything beyond 4Gb without PAE and PAE is basically disabled in consumer versions of Windows since most 32-bit device drivers can't handle it.

[save]

Just get a 64-bit OS.

[ink]

No it is correct. Current graphics card can use 4-8Gb of ram by themselves. The 32-bit memory subsystem can't handle anything beyond 4Gb without PAE and PAE is basically disabled in consumer versions of Windows since most 32-bit device drivers can't handle it.

wrong














it is like 3.73 gig it can see

[MrRiplEy[H]]

wrong
it is like 3.73 gig it can see

Stick to tattooing pls.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

Version                       Limit on X86            Limit on X64
Windows 7 Ultimate                4 GB                      192 GB

[ink]

Stick to tattooing pls.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

oh hell no you didnt


you pull out a link on me.....da neuve












I was actually thinking about xP


durp