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Mom just bought laptop with 64bit cpu. However came with 32bit Win7

EliteLamerEliteLamer __BANNED USERS regular
edited December 2009 in Moe's Stupid Technology Tavern
Does anyone understand why they would do this and if this would be a problem?

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Posts

  • IdolisideIdoliside Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    Not a problem, its just your limited to 4gb max ram and using 32bit programs. As its a laptop this shouldn't make too much of a difference. But if you get the option to upgrade your ram you better think about switching to 64bit.

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  • EliteLamerEliteLamer __BANNED USERS regular
    edited December 2009
    It has 3gigs of ram would that be worth it to my mom to upgrade a gig and get 64bit?

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  • DjeetDjeet Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    A lot of laptops with 64bit CPUs ship with a 32bit OS. Often in online system configurators you have to explicitly choose a 64bit OS as the 32bit version is selected by default.

    As to why they'd do it, some vendors have not put out WHQL'ed (or any) 64bit drivers for some of their hardware: for example some fingerprint sensors which are bundled onto laptops.

    The addressable RAM is the main problem though depending upon her usage she may never encounter it (if she doesn't run many apps simultaneously or doesn't do heavy PS or video editting it's not an issue).

    If it's still warranted she may be able to get the 64 bit OS install via the OEM, if she wants it.

    RE 3 gigs: No.

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  • autono-wally, erotibot300autono-wally, erotibot300 love machine Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    now the question is, does it have 3 gb, or does it have 4 and you can only use 3 because of the 32 bit os :P

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  • CronusCronus Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    As mentioned 4GB is the addressable limit so all other memory is used in that 4GB limit.

    I assume that it's being done for 7 as well since Microsoft offered it for XP and Vista. Microsoft offered an alternative media option which also let you get the 64 bit version if you had the 32 and vice versa. I'm on my phone so you'll have to google it yourself but you only have to pay the shipping.

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  • travathiantravathian Registered User regular
    edited December 2009
    EliteLamer wrote: »
    It has 3gigs of ram would that be worth it to my mom to upgrade a gig and get 64bit?

    No, unless your mother frequents the G&T forum and is dying to play max res FPSs on the laptop.

    travathian on
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