32bit vs 64bit with 2GB of ram


  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
       #1

    32bit vs 64bit with 2GB of ram


    So, I know the min-specs (1GB&2GB) for 32bit and 64bit Windows 10.

    What I'm wondering is: Am I better off installing the 32bit version of windows 10 if I have only 2GB of ram?
    That way I'm above the min-spec of 1GB, whereas if I install the 64bit version I'm only JUST hitting the min-spec.

    Or it might be better to ask WHY there's a 2GB min-spec for 64bit? Is it just because of the way the os operates, with memory addresses etc? Or is the 64bit version doing 'something else' with the extra GB of ram?

    Or to sum it up:
    On an old 64bit laptop with 2GB of ram, should I install the 32bit or 64bit version?
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  2. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #2

    gijoe50000 said:
    On an old 64bit laptop with 2GB of ram, should I install the 32bit or 64bit version?
    You should install and use 32 bit Windows. There's no point in using 64 bit Windows when you have 4 GB or less RAM.

    Kari
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Kari said:
    You should install and use 32 bit Windows. There's no point in using 64 bit Windows when you have 4 GB or less RAM.

    Kari

    Ah right.. Sound!
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  4. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #4

    Also, 64bit Windows runs very slow on 2GB of RAM, we suggest 4GB or better to install 64bit Windows.
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  5. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #5

    Kari said:
    You should install and use 32 bit Windows. There's no point in using 64 bit Windows when you have 4 GB or less RAM.

    Kari
    I would probably say less than 4GB not less than or equal really.
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  6. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Yea, I ran my self built desktop on 4GB for the first few months and I never had any issues, even when gaming.

    My 32bit tablet has 1GB, and it does tend to get sluggish after a few minutes after I've opened a few apps, although it's still usable, even with Lightroom.

    I'm not looking to do anything heavy with the laptop anyway, I'm mainly just going to be using it for in-car diagnostics. Once it's not referencing my pagefile constantly like my previous DDR1 256MB laptop!

    'New' laptop has DDR2..
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  7. Posts : 13,896
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #7

    Right, 2GB is only the minimum requirement for 64-bit Windows and 1GB is the minimum for 32-bit Windows. Also keep in mind if Upgrading you have to stay with what is installed, if doing a clean install you can change 32-bit to 64-bit or 64-bit to 32-bit.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 2,935
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #8

    I would use 64 bit if there is 3GB+ more in the system (taking into account system RAM and videocard RAM [if discrete graphics]).

    I have even seen 4GB mainboards wasting 2GB+ if x86 is installed even having an integrated gpu. Depending on the chipset, your mileage may vary. I have also seen some mainboards able to use 3.25/3.50 GB with x86.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 18
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Yea it has an integrated gpu, so shared memory.
    It has 1GB installed (2x512), and I have 2x1GB in the post from ebay (€4), so I suppose I'l just go with 32bit and an old ssd.

    I might get more memory in the future, and maybe upgrade the cpu, if I feel like making a project out of it, but the price difference between 2x1GB and 2x2GB is mad!

    Might point out that the laptop hasn't actually arrived yet, I'm just going by the specs. It's an nx7300 I got on ebay for €40.
      My Computer


 

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