Windows 7 64-bit and RAM

Quick question(s), i've just gotten Windows 7, ran Microsoft's Upgrade Advisor program and noticed it told me that 2GB was the minimum needed for 7 64-bit, does 64-bit use more memory compared to 32? Also would it be worth upgrading, just to be safe?

If the answer to all that is yes then one more question (last one I promise), I have 2GB (2x1GB sticks), would it be better to buy 4GB and have 2 matching sticks so they run dual channelled or could I buy 2GB, add it to my existing 1GB and run with 3 (so mix and match basically...and at half the cost)? Would the second option lose much performance?

Thanks

 

64Bit does use a bit more meory, yes.

You can run it on 3GB - ther thing is though, is it worth running a 64Bit OS on 3GB of RAM - maybe not except if yu have 6Bit applications that you have to run.

 

Well in answer to that, i've never used a 64-bit OS before, I just figured that seeing as I had both 32 and 64 available to me, i'd go with "the future" and choose 64bit.

My notebooks typical use is general tasks (Internet, Office use etc), gaming, movies and the odd bit of video editing...so nothing that definitely needs a 64 bit operating system

 

memory costs are pretty low right now but rising. No time like the present.

Even if you stay with 32 bit you'll get a load of benefit from moving from 2 Gb to 4 Gb

(let the quibblers who want to argue about 32 bit memory spaces and microsoft windows and PC architectures insert their comments now)

 

another idea(if your low on money or something) is to buy 1x 2gb stick now and get the other later.

 

That might be a good idea but i'd probably be spending more in the long run right? Then again, it's not really the money thats the issue it's more the fact that when the Arrandale Processors come out next year i'd really like to upgrade to one (especially as my 8600M GT is getting a bit "past it" now) so im reluctant to spend £70 on upgrades for the sake of 6 maybe 7 months...yes, my arms are in fact too short to reach my pockets

 

64 bit and 4gb (2x2gb dual channel).

yes you will gain around 3~8% (if I remember the figures correctly. its somewhere around this forum) for synchronous dual channel memory. Asynchronous memory won't be so good (boost is only noticeable when running intensive tasks, but noticeable it is)

and of course, take advantage of 4GB of RAM by using the 64bit version. It's faster and more secure.

 

EDIT: My bad, 667MHz is the maximum speed

I think im just going to stump for the 4GB (2x2GB) and be done with it, it won't break the bank and too much is better than not enough

 

Yup 4GB ram would be great... get DDR2-800 .. its cheaper i think.. it will downclock to 667Mhz anyway.

 

lol, i've just had a look and DDR2-667 is 44p more expensive

 

I've gone ahead and bought some Crucial 4GB (2x2GB) 800MHz/PC2-6400

I have the willpower of a melting Mars bar :/

 

I didn't get that joke...

 

Well if put in the Sun a Mars bar can't help but melt, it has no willpower...Just like me
Ahh well

My RAM and IC Diamond 7 Thermal compound arrived this morning so I have my day ahead planned for me =D, the question is, do I apply the compound and RAM and continue to run Vista for a day or so (So i can judge how much my temps decrease by) or do I install W7 at the same time as doing the RAM and compound?
I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy

 

Just install windows 7 and then apply thermal compound... the different OS's don't cause change in temps and neither does RAM unless ur using low voltage RAM.