Windows 7 Help! 64 bit or 32 bit?

[Migs]

I need help figuring out whether I should install a 64 bit or 62 bit version of Win 7 because I'm having some trouble deciding.

Here's my system information:

Component Details

Processor AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60 4.8

Memory (RAM) 3.00 GB

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 7150M / nForce 630M

Gaming graphics 1071 MB Total available graphics memory

Primary hard disk 34GB Free (137GB Total)

Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium

System

Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
​

Model HP Pavilion dv6700 Notebook PC
​

Total amount of system memory 3.00 GB RAM
​

System type 32-bit operating system
​

Number of processor cores 2
​

64-bit capable Yes
​

Storage

Total size of hard disk(s) 149 GB
​

Disk partition (C 34 GB Free (137 GB Total)
​

Disk partition (D 2 GB Free (12 GB Total)
​

Media drive (E CD/DVD
​

Graphics

Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce 7150M / nForce 630M
​

Total available graphics memory 1071 MB
​

Dedicated graphics memory 64 MB
​

Dedicated system memory 0 MB

Shared system memory 1007 MB
​

Display adapter driver version 7.15.11.7713
​

Primary monitor resolution 1280x800
​

DirectX version DirectX 9.0 or better
​

Network

Network Adapter Microsoft Tun Miniport Adapter
​

Network Adapter NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
​

Network Adapter Atheros AR5007 802.11b/g WiFi Adapter
​

It did say 64-bit capable but I stumbled upon this piece of information which confused me:

Can I upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows?


No. If you are currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can only perform an upgrade to another 32-bit version of Windows. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you can only perform an upgrade to another 64-bit version of Windows Vista.
If you want to move from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you'll need to back up your files and then perform a custom installation of the 64-bit version of Windows Vista.


Q #1: So can I install a 64-bit Win 7 on my system?

Here's another one that made my mind boggled:

Would I benefit from using a 64-bit computer?


The benefits are most apparent when you have a large amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer (typically 4 GB of RAM or more). Because a 64-bit operating system can handle large amounts of memory more efficiently than a 32-bit operating system can, a 64-bit system can be more responsive when running several programs at the same time and switching between them frequently.


Q #2: My system has a total amount of system memory of 3 GB of RAM. So I shouldn't install a 64-bit Win 7 because I have less than 4 GB of RAM?

Also, if it's not much trouble, I also play World of Warcraft a lot and I was wondering if 7- 9 FPS in Dalaran with all low settings (except the resolution which is 1280x800) normal for this machine? I could lower the resolution to improve the performance but is their any other way?

 

[loathe]

Personally I think you should always install x64 OS's on x64 processors. I looked up your graphics chip Link Removed due to 404 Error and it is listed in the supported Windows 7 drivers, so go for it. Probably download it first though and put it on a disk or another partition.

The amount of RAM you have makes no difference, other than you can have more than 3.5GB. I have put a x64 OS on a laptop with 512 with no problems (although it was upgraded a week later with 2GB more).

 

[Migs]

Is it possible to put the installer for Win 7 in a external HD instead of burning it in a DVD?

 

[loathe]

I usually install from a bootable pen drive and have never tried this method, but Im sure it works the same. Heres the guide. Additionally, here is a guide to install from pen drive.

 

[Migs]

Thanks for the help, I'll post the results as soon as I finished with the installation.

 

[Radenight]

It all really depends on what your doing with your pc when you get right down to it..

 

[pointvicente]

I have a similar laptop DV6500us (w/ 7150m / 630m) but am having issues installing the proper NVIDIA drivers. I get the "No AGEIA PhysX" message from the NVIDIA control panel. Did you ever have success? How would I go about fixing this?