32 vs 64 bit 2GB memory Windows 10

gijoe50000 · Dec 3, 2016

Since the minimum specs for 32bit Windows 10 is only 1GB, and spec for 64bit Windows 10 is 2GB, does this mean the 64bit version is 'doing something else' with the extra 1GB?

I know the answer is probably NO, but I've a 2GB laptop and I'm wondering would I be better off with the 32bit version, since I'll be above the minimum spec of 1GB.

I'm assuming I'll be better off with the 64bit version but I'd just like a confirmation to be sure.

Also, would I get away with using a VM of XP with only 2GB of memory?

I'm only going to be using the laptop for in-car diagnostics.

Thanks..

mbarnes86 · Dec 3, 2016

Hi

There is no point in using 64 Windows until you have 4GB of RAM or more

32 bit versions can use upto about 3.25 to 3.5GB of RAM (depends on graphics card or chip and motherboard chipset)

PC or Laptops with 1 GB of RAM run Windows XP OK but from Vista onwards run very slowly especially when startting up

If your laptop came with 2GB of ram [strike]leave[/strike] stay with 32 bit Windows

If you setup a Virtual XP with 512 MB of RAM you should be ok

check if the 2GB of RAM is one 2GB or two 1GB to see if it is worth adding another 2GB of RAM.

regards
Mike Barnes

gijoe50000 · Dec 3, 2016

mbarnes86 :

Ah right, sound.

It has 2x512MB installed, but I just got 2x1GB on ebay for ~€5.

1x2GB are more expensive ~€15.

I got the laptop cheap too, €40 for nx7300 and I really don't really want to spend a lot on it, since it's only for the car. I already have a desktop I build myself 4790k, 2x970's, custom watercooling etc..

The last laptop I had had only 256MB, and it was constantly running from the paging file, it was painful!

Phillip Corcoran · Dec 3, 2016

Also keep in mind that what Microsoft says is the minimum RAM required, well they would say that to maximise sales of Windows. In the real world you need much more than that to get anything like decent, day-to-day performance out of it.

For running running Windows Vista or later, nobody should settle for less than 4GB even for 32-bit versions (especially Vista with it's reputation for being a RAM-hungry).

And we're talking RAM required just for Windows here by the way. Start putting high-end apps and games in the mix & you need even more otherwise you are forced to stop multitasking.

gijoe50000 · Dec 3, 2016

Phillip Corcoran :

Good point. I won't be running chrome on it anytime soon.. lol.
The old laptop I was using (256MB) would kick up a hissy fit when I tried to open Firefox, it would start cranking the hard drive, pushing stuff over and back from the page file. Just wondering if W10 is going to be doing this. I might throw an old 60GB ssd in there just in case.

Basically with the car diagnostics I have two choices:
1. Peugeot Planet runs on XP 32 bit only.
2. Diagbox will run on anything up to Windows 10 64 bit.

Diagbox is basically a program containing Peugeot Planet (and Citron software too) and a bit more up to date, PP is getting phased out I think. So my dilemma is which to use. I know W10 is the better os, and everything makes more sense (XP can be a PITA).
Just wondering W10 will be more resource heavy than xp though. I know it's supposed to be more efficient etc, but maybe not suitable if I'm just barely hitting min-spec.

I know I can just test them both but reinstalling on old hardware is a pain!

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32 vs 64 bit 2GB memory Windows 10

gijoe50000

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