Windows 7...32 or 64 bits?

M11xR2 with 3GB RAM and an i7 CPU, I'm not going to add more RAM in the near future.

I have 2 discs of windows, one of them is Windows 7 Ultimate 32bits and the other is Windows 7 Home Basic 64bits (the original CD from Alienware)

My old Athlon X2 is booting way faster with the 32bits version than my m11x with the 64bits one.

I need some help to decide which one should I install on this notebook >.<

 

I had both systems. And let me say you that alienware m11x is not fully compatible with 32 bits version. First you will not find all the drivers and all the apps that you need, and also a lot of BSODs will appear during normal use...

 

well,
-32 bit one is likely to be better because of the 3gb ram, but cpu cannot use it's 64 extension, which is one of the GREATEST achievements in computing! 32 and 64 performance has just a gap that is too large!
-64 bit one is better because of the i7 cpu, but 3gb ram MIGHT slow it down(very unlikely)
-do you multitask heavily btw?like playing 2 highend games at once(very unlikely again )? Only if you do, u need more ram(from personal experience)
-slow boot has many reason, it is very unlikely that it will boot better with 32 bit version, if you need to know, you can always try both 32, and 64, and see the difference, since that acer and ur current system are just incomparable.
Go with the 64 one mate! Seems to be a lot better choice to me
GOOD LUCK MATE!

 

I strongly recommend you to use 64 bits.
Alienware M11x is optimized on Windows 64 bits.
You may have problem using some of the devices...

 

There is no question, 64bit.

 

iv booted 32bit and had no problems, you just might have to hunt down a couple drivers, a lot of 64bit drivers are backwards compatible with 32bit. also i have seen a small performance increase with 32bit, but im on a core2duo not in i7.

 

call MS, you might be able to get a 64bit ultimate DVD for $5-$10, providing your key will work with 64bit

 

"bit"

not "bits"



Oh, and there is a LOT of misinformation in this thread. 64 bit is not "faster." The same 32bit applications will run the same speed. The difference is how much memory it can support, what drivers it will need, and what applications it will run. To the end user, 64bit calculations are meaningless. The only performance difference you will experience is the from increased memory and the *ability* to run 64bit applications. Having 32 bit does not make you more prone to BSODs. If you install the wrong 32bit drivers because you couldn't find the right ones is a different story, but the drivers are to blame that same as incorrect 64bit drivers would cause instabilities.

 

exactly, i did notice i got a higher 3dmark06 score on x86 (32bit) windows. but it could just be me. if i were you id just give x86 a try.

 

It's probably simply that it's a fresh installation with less background processes than the OEM 64bit installation or that your 32bit installation is using newer or more refined drivers (many devices don't have good 64bit drivers).

 

64 imo, real easy choice these days.

 

ummm i dont run the oem version of 64bit. and i run all my computers heavily optimized. theres no chance thats the problem. i have literally 0 things running most of the time. i dont even use an anti virus, nothing starts when my pc starts, have olmost all services turned off that i dont use, and i run at 0% cpu load at idle, less then 400mb ram at idle also. thats not an issue. i know what im doing. lol =P