advice: Which OS? 32 bit or 64 bit?

[marv25]

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I have a laptop with 4GB of RAM. I know that if i use a 32bit OS, i would only be able to utilize around 3+GB of the RAM, comparing to that if I use a 64bit OS, I would be able to use all.

I'm going to reformat it and install a new OS. I would want to install Windows 7 Release Candidate since it already proved itself to me to be reliable and it also beats XP in terms of benchmarks. I tested Windows 7 RC on my PC for a few months and it looks like I can live with it even though its still an RC. So I want Windows 7 on my laptop, and i think I would also want XP just in case I really need to do something on XP that Windows 7 cant.

No i dont want vista....


Here are my choices:

1. Windows 7 64 bit + dual boot Windows XP 32 bit (7 as main OS, XP just in case)
- can 64 bit systems run 32 bit apps?
2. Windows 7 32 bit + dual boot Windows XP 32 bit (7 as main OS, XP just in case)
- i wont be able to utilize all 4Gb.
3. Windows 7 64 bit + virtual PC under windows 7 "Windows XP Mode" 32 bit.
- is this possible? 64 bit OS and 32 bit virtual PC?
- advantage of this is that i can control the partition easily, unlike if i dual boot, a part of my hard drive will be for XP.
4. Windows 7 32 bit + virtual PC under windows 7 "Windows XP Mode" 32 bit.
- still wont be able to use all 4GB.

This is my first time to be using a 64bit OS as my main OS so i might run into compatibility problems.

And one more thing, I play games, and the laptop is capable... Will i be able to play 3d games under virtual PC?
and will the games that work on my 32bit XP work on a 64bit system?

and if i use a 32bit OS, will the dual-channel of my RAM be disabled?

Thanks

[Rainerius]

And one more thing, I play games, and the laptop is capable... Will i be able to play 3d games under virtual PC? <-- No you cannot, Virtual PC does not have Direct3D acceleration.
and will the games that work on my 32bit XP work on a 64bit system? <-- 64 bit Windows have a technology called Windows on Windows (WoW64). 64 bit OS will run your 32 bit apps, games, etc in native 32 bit using this layer.
and if i use a 32bit OS, will the dual-channel of my RAM be disabled? <-- No

Why you don't want Vista 64 bit? Ok man so far for me.

[marv25]

i have vista 32 bit installed now, and its not as fast as i would want it...

[goldfinger]

32bit platform is most widely used, majority labi na windows XP 32bit if youre a webdeveloper thats a right choice.

When you say 64bit it is much faster platform than 32bit pero daghan disadvantages like daghan application programs di mo dagan coz like what I said 32bit platform majority. Its your choice, pero if you want fancy and do only playing movies, mp3 or multimedia better get vista32bit at least sp1 already.

[poldopunk]

the current 64-bit windows operating systems can emulate a 32-bit environment, which means that 32-bit applications can run on 64-bit. you'll know the application is 32-bit because the application will appear in task manager with a *32 suffix. just make sure you have the 64-bit drivers for your devices.

i'm on windows 7 64-bit and as far as compatible games is concerned, sasori has made a list on the games tested in windows 7 in the software and games na forum. sa mga applications nga 32-bit, don't worry managan na sila tanan.

[andz]

I am running Vista Ultimate 64-bit, i haven't encountered any 32-bit applications or any games that doesn't work.

64-bit = good if you have more than 3gb of ram
32-bit = good if you have less then 3gb of ram

[vern]

There is no reason to dual boot and no reason to run 32bit.

[AGENTFROST]

64...mas dako man...nytahahahhaa

[marv25]

well since theres no problem with application compatibility if i use 64 bit, i guess i'll go with 64 bit nalang. Do those applications apply with games also? Do all games that run on 32 bit work on 64 bit?

[eax]

64-bit because 32-bit will be a thing in the past.