What cpu is it ?

if your runnign a 32 bit os it will say 32bit cpu ...

Download Cpu-z

I could be wrong, but I don't think any dual-core processors are 32-bit. But it could be an older Pentium with hyperthreading - or you could even have two physical processors (but I doubt it). Post the model number of your processor and someone will enlighten you.

In reply to a post by AnotherExPipex:

I could be wrong, but I don't think any dual-core processors are 32-bit. But it could be an older Pentium with hyperthreading - or you could even have two physical processors (but I doubt it). Post the model number of your processor and someone will enlighten you.

Believe the first pentium dual packaged cpus where 32bit only..

Although my memory almost certainly goes further back than yours, it is not so reliable.

In reply to a post by Yves:

The only minor snag I found is that my 8 year old Canon LIDE30 scanner does not have an x64 driver. I got round this by installing virtual Windows XP (free from Microsoft) and installing the scanner in that using the XP driver.

I have same scanner, but unfortunatly i have bought Windows 7 Home edition so cant have "Virtual Windows XP "

I'm builidng a new PC so also very curious on the pro's and con's of 64 Bit !

Thanks

In reply to a post by Yves:

I have a Dell Vostro with Q6600 processor and 4gb RAM. W7 x64 runs superbly on it. I also run Photoshop CS4 and that loads as a 64 bit application.

The only minor snag I found is that my 8 year old Canon LIDE30 scanner does not have an x64 driver. I got round this by installing virtual Windows XP (free from Microsoft) and installing the scanner in that using the XP driver.

I have no idea if this will be helpful, but someone got the lide 35 working on Vista 64, makybe the same drivers will work with your s.

Most vista drivers will work with Windows 7

http://www.vistax64.com/drivers/178581-canoscan-lide...

In reply to a post by Spasch:

Just go 64bit - it's the future and support is excellent..

Far better now than it was, I did have 64 bit windows 7 RC version on here, then I changed back to 32 bit due to my webcam not working, but I decided now to put on the 64bit version of the released version of Windows 7. Everything works apart from webcam, shame to lose it as it is a good camera, but such is life.

The only problem I had was that I have a device in my device manager saying Co-processor that have no drivers for, found out now that it is the internal video chip and it is not in use, so it don't matter. I wish there was a way to switch it off in the bios.

But yes, 64bit is the way to go, more software is being produced for it now and even new hardware is having drivers produced.

My Hp Scanjet 7650 scanner drivers come from Microsoft and also my canon Pima IP4200 printer.

Did you try it in compatibility mode?

Hi

64bit is the latest marketing to get people to upgrade to new hardware and computers, not everyone needs it.

Pro:
The one and probably only benefit with 64bit is it can access greater than 4 Gig of memory.

Con:
64bit programs and OS use more memory, this means in order to benefit from 64bit support for memory at 4GByte or above you need more than 4GByte, say 6 or 8GByte. If you only have 4GByte of memory you are probably better off sticking with 32bit and and 4GByte of RAM, even though that only gives you around 3GByte of usable memory, this is because going to 64Bit may give you the full 4GByte of memory, but you lose the benefit of that extra 1Gig because programs use more memory running 64bit, including the OS. Factor in 32bit programs having to run in WoW and potential driver and compatibility issues with some applications, it just isn't worth it as you don't really benefit.

Performance: Because 64bit requires more memory your processor cache is effectively reduced in size as it can't cache as much as it can under 32bit, this can have a performance impact and may cancel out any other performance increases due to 64bit. In comparison tests between 64bit and 32bit using real world type tests, the performance is basically the same.

So to make the jump to 64bit you really need to have a reason to, and that reason is you have an application or real need to use more than 3GByte of RAM. There is no point upping your memory to 6GByte to justify a 64bit OS if you aren't going to use that memory, and few people have need for that much memory at the moment.

We are at a midway point for the transition from 32bit to 64bit. Microsoft and hardware manufacturers of course want us to go to 64bit as it drives sales, but the need to move to 64bit doesn't exist for most people.

If you need to ask the question "Do I go 64bit?" then you are probably a person that isn't going to benefit from it currently.

Regards

Phil

Edited by deleted (Sun 25-Oct-09 09:55:27)

Update.
Used 32 and it went well. My computer is 32/duel processor.