Nadine wants to know why most Windows 7 computers are 64bit?
I’m curious. Why are almost all computers sold now 64bit? What is wrong with 32bit computers? I guess I don’t understand the advantages of 64bit. If there are advantage what are they? Really appreciate you guys!
Our answer
Thanks, Nadine. The simple answer? Speed and power. The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows can handle large amounts of RAM more effectively than a 32-bit system.
64 bit systems can use much more than 4GB of memory. 32bit versions of Windows are restricted to a maximum of 4GB memory or less. Windows 64 bit versions can advantage a lot more RAM. While 64bit systems can use virtually unlimited memory – your computer’s motherboard cannot. So check with your computer manufacturer or with www.crucial.combefore heading off to buy a ton of extra RAM.
16 bit applications won’t run on 64 bit Windows. This is unlikely to be a problem. Most software developed in the last ten years is 32 bit.
Any 32 bit drivers will no longer work – but if you’re buying a new Windows 64-bit computer this won’t be a problem. But if you intend to run older 32 bit program on your new computer that use 32 bit drivers they will not work. Most programs that use drivers would be security program programs, firewalls and the like. And in most cases these programs are available in both 32bit and 64bit, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
64 bit Windows has legacy support for 32 bit programs – so most 32 bit software will run fine on 32bit computers
If you regularly work with resource-hungry applications like video editing software, 3D graphics software, CAD software or huge databases, or if you find yourself doing a lot of multitasking, a 64 bit system would certainly be a better choice.
