In the near future finally be officially introduced a new operating system Windows 7. According to rumors, Windows 7 RTM is compatible with a greater number of devices and applications than the previous pre-release version of the new OS, and that the RTM is very convenient for users. For a lot of hardware is suitable driver for the 64-bit OS. Most available in the software market will work under Windows 7. But, of course, performance 32-bit and 64-bit versions differ.

Intel and AMD 64bit technology is fully adopted and released 64-bit processors Athlon64 and Pentium D. Compared with 32-bit 64-bit operating systems allow you to increase the memory up to 4GB and higher and significantly increase the capacity of the computer. However, until now very little software that is optimized to run on 64-bit OS. It's not too convenient for users, besides a lot of software optimized for 64bit, designed for industry, not for ordinary users.

However, this problem is solved with the appearance of Windows 7. Good compatibility and a full set of drivers attracted the attention of both producers and their customers. And the memory needed to run powerful systems, it becomes cheaper. The speed of modern computer games, too, is largely dependent on the amount of available memory, and more and more gamers prefer to buy 64-bit processors and install 64-bit operating systems. Many users have placed on the Windows 7 high hopes and want to know how profitable the acquisition of a 64-bit OS with a performance standpoint. The question of the speed of specific processors under Windows 7 is also very interesting.

Among the AMD processors were selected Athlon II X2 250 (3.0GHz), II Phenom X2 545 (3.0GHz), Phenom X3 II 720(2.8GHz) and Phenom II X4 925 (2.8GHz). Among Intel processors have become the elected Pentium E6300 (2.8GHz), Core 2 E7400 (2.8GHz) and Core 2 Q8200 (2.33GGts).

Testbed:

• Processor

o Athlon II X2 250
o Phenom II X2 545
o Phenom II X3 720
o Core 2 E6300
o Core 2 E7400
o Core 2 Q8200

• Motherboard

o AMD 770X (DDR3)
o Intel P45 (DDR3)

• Memory

o 2x 2GB DDR3 1333

• HDD

o Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB

• Video

o nVidia GeForce GTX 260 +

• Sound

o Built-In

• Cooler

o OC3 HP-1204X

• PSU

o Cooler Master 500W

• OS

o Windows 7 RTM 64-bit
o Windows 7 RTM 32-bit

• Drivers

o AMD Catalyst 9.9
o Intel inf_9.1.0.1012 WHQL version
o NVIDIA ForceWare 190.62 official version (32bit/64bit)

In some applications, particularly in its emphasis on the rendering, the performance of processors in 64-bit OS was higher than in 32-bit. In gaming applications, the results were roughly the same. Further, multi-core processors have an advantage in 64-bit system. The average performance of Intel and AMD is the same. In some tests, a 32-bit OS Athlon II X2 250 and Phenom II X2 545 behind the Pentium E6300 and Core 2 E7400, but the 64-bit OS, they are more than catching up.

In short, 64-bit operating system is more favorable for decompression, video encoding and rendering, and this is as true for games, as well as for HD. Considering that in order to improve system performance, users are increasingly 4GB of memory and more, the balance inclined in favor of 64-bit OS. In its favor also say the presence of a full set of drivers and the ability to run on 64-bit system of modern software and games. In general, we may assume that this round is likely, as the following, remained for 64-bit operating systems.