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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 224
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 224 |
Hi folks,
I'm ordering a new computer tower in next few days and wondering should I order windows 7 32 or 64 bit. the pc builder will only let me order one or the other as it is an oem thing. Advice will be greatly appreciated?
I have biab ultraplus pack 2010 and I understand the vsc dxi will only work on 32 bit windows 7, but still would appreciate your views on this .
computer spec is as follows.
Processor (CPU)
AMD PHENOM II X4 945 SOCKET AM3 (3.00GHz/8MB CACHE)
Memory (RAM)
4GB CORSAIR XMS3 DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY
Motherboard
ASUS® M4A785TD-V EVO: DUAL DDR3, S-ATA II, 2 x PCIe x16, 1 x PCIe x1, 3 x PCI
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit or 32 bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
USB Options
8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
250GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
2nd Hard Disk
1TB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 16MB CACHE (7,200rpm)
RAID (HDD 1 & 2)
NONE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
22x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
2nd DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
22x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Graphics Card
1GB ATI RADEON™ HD 4650 PCI EXPRESS
2nd Graphics Card
NONE
Sound Card
ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
Case
COOLERMASTER SILEO 500 QUIET MID TOWER CASE
Power Supply & Case Cooling
450W Quiet Dual Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£25)
Processor Cooling
STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Firewire & Video Editing
2 x IEEE 1394a FIREWIRE PORTS (1 onboard, 1 at back panel)
Im in UK and this computer without a monitor will cost about $1000, but I think I will go with it as I have to decide soon.
many thanks
Joe
joe
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hi,
Since your OS is easily upgraded, I would go with Win 7 32 bit for now. I'm very happy with the performance I'm getting with it, and when I first installed Win 7 64 bit, I had all kinds of problems with drivers and programs not working. In a year or so, it should be good to go, but for now 32 bit will serve you well.
My 2 cents,
Ed
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Ask about the firewire chipset, hoping to be compatible with external audio device of choice, unless going USB route..
32 bit is safer, as far as driver availability; more harware will work right out of the box
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Good point rharv!
Any firewire chipset for digital audio should be from TI (Texas Instruments) If you read the many posts on audio forums (Gearsluts, KVR midi, etc) you will find that this configuration is known to work with most interfaces/drives, whereas other manufactor's MAY not be compatible with most interfaces (M-audio, MOTU, Tascam, Presonus, etc)
Hope this helps,
Ed
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Joined: Jan 2002
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Joe,
I'm going to buck the trend.
Go with the 64bit version. By the way, i suggest that the 450 watt PSU is a lot on the underpowered side. I would look at a minimum of 600 watt.
If you aren't going to use the Roland VSC as the DXi/VSTi, then you'll never notice the difference. Plus, you can't just 'upgrade' from a 32 bit version to the 64 bit, it's a complete reinstall.
So, save yourself the hassle and start with 64 bit. I've been using it for a year now, and have been very happy with it. i don't notice any issues at all with my music making programs, except not being able to use the Roland VSC.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Thanks very much for replies everybody. Well I intend to buy an m-audio fast track pro USB eventually so I won't be using firewire I think and I will be using the Roland vsc as the dx/vsti as I like the sound of it. So on balance I will probably go with the 32 bit version of windows 7 for now. I had a word with the pc builders and asked if they maybe could give me a 64 bit DVD as well as I thought that the same licence would do both systems but the salesman said that they couldn't as the 32 bit product key for windows 7 wouldn't work if I tried to install the 64 bit version as its not a full retail copy just an oem version. I hope that he is wrong, when I do try an install of 64 bit windows.
Anyways haven't put my order in as yet, but will do soon as old desktop is 10 years old.
I will buy an LG 22 inch monitor separately as I heard good reports about them.
When order goes in its then a case here in UK of waiting and hoping that the pc is built well, and everything will work ok when it reaches me by courier, as a lot of the pc builders here have a poor reputation for after sales care. It’s a one year warranty but most of them will only pay courier costs for the return of pc for a limited period (usually 14 days to 3 mths) should anything go wrong.
Many thanks again for all your replies.
Joe
joe
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I have both 64 and 32, and it is important to note that 64 bit does limit some hardware choices because of drivers
It is not just the VSC, but also some hardware at this point
Other than that, 64bit is probably more future proof, and I do like it... just want to point out both pros and cons
Either way you'll want to check the firewire chipset compatibility, and then check out the hardware you plan to use to make sure they are 64 bit compatible too
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I'd go 32-bit as it's definitely more compatible at this point in time. It's easy enough to change the OS when 64-bit becomes more widely usable.
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Does the system not come with both versions anyway??
Vista did, and asked which version you wanted to use.
It's my understanding that on my HP desktop I need only to re-install the o/s from the partition and I'm able to change from 32 to 64 bit right?
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I don't know about that, John. It is possible if you are doing a complete reformat and reinstall that you can do that, but you can't upgrade a 32 bit to a 64 bit.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Joined: Mar 2009
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I'm not sure if one of the normal version of Windows 7 includes both 32 and 64 bit but the OEM version appears to be either 32 or 64. W7 Home Premium OEM is about $80 cheaper than W7 Home Premium full edition.
I think you lose some support with an OEM copy but I have had no updating problems with XP OEM.
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