What OS is best for AMD Turion 64 X2?

[coolmax]

I really want to know what will run better on an AMD Turion 64 X2 - XP x63, ordinary XP, or Vista 32? Or a 64 bit Vista?
For some reason my laptop came with the 32 bit version of Vista installed when it's a 64 bit processor so I am considering going 64, but I only have an XP x64 CD that came with my previous PC that I sold to a friend, so I haven't really used it.

[RentedMule]

Windows 7

[MSUser2013]

The Turion 64 X2 could run up to Windows 8 x64 if the PC had 4GB of RAM, If it has Less than 4GB, I would go with 32-bit Windows Vista/7/8, or 64-bit Windows Vista (If it has 2-4GB of RAM), I ran Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview) 32-bit on an Acer Laptop with a Turion 64 X2 TL-56 and it worked really well

[coolmax]

If it has Less than 4GB, I would go with 32-bit Windows 7/8, or 64-bit Windows Vista (If it has 2-4GB of RAM)

It has 2 GB of RAM. Why do you think Vista 64 is better than the 32 bit version?
BTW, I've noticed that both the Vista 32 and XP 32 suck on my computer and I wonder if the 64 bit versions will run better. A colleague suggested Server 2003 or 2008 as they're 64 bit, but I have the XP x64 CD, so I wonder if I should give it a try over the 32 bit version Vista?

[MSUser2013]

If it has Less than 4GB, I would go with 32-bit Windows 7/8, or 64-bit Windows Vista (If it has 2-4GB of RAM)

It has 2 GB of RAM. Why do you think Vista 64 is better than the 32 bit version?
BTW, I've noticed that both the Vista 32 and XP 32 suck on my computer and I wonder if the 64 bit versions will run better. A colleague suggested Server 2003 or 2008 as they're 64 bit, but I have the XP x64 CD, so I wonder if I should give it a try over the 32 bit version Vista?

Server 2003 (R2) and Server 2008 are available for both x86 (32-bit) and x64, Server 2008 R2, However, Is only available for x64, XP x64 is based off Server 2003 x64 so it's basically a Client version of Server 2003 x64

[coolmax]

OK, but will a 64 bit OS run better on my 2 GB AMD?
I've noticed that programs under Vista 32 use too much memory compared to XP 32, but I'm dissatisfied with both. By contrast, I am satisfied with XP Pro (32 bit) on my other computer that has a 32 bit processor. I also use Vista (again a 32 bit version) on a 32 bit processor in my office and it runs a lot better than my Vista. So the problem should be in the processor or/and machine as a whole. I guess I will never buy a similar brand of laptop or/and processor.

[EPPM]

I have one, and I'm running Windows 8. I ran Windows 7 and Vista as well so you could do the same. 64 bit runs as fast as 32 bit versions, but you have not told us the model (I have a TL-60).

[coolmax]

It's TL-62
2,10 GHZ

BTW, I am asking about XP or Vista (or Server 2008) only as I don't like 7 and 8.

[MSUser2013]

Well, In that case, Go with Windows Vista x64, Your CPU is faster than my TL-56 so if my TL-56 could handle it, I'm pretty sure your TL-62 will handle it, More RAM could help make it run faster if it runs to slow

[coolmax]

But will XP x64 run even faster than Vista x64?

[EPPM]

XP x64 is different from XP x86 so it may be harder to find drivers, but will run faster than Vista x64. On the other hand Vista x64 is faster than x86 on my machine so you should be fine. I'd recommend Vista over XP too.

[WinPC]

I agree that Windows XP at best has very poor support for 64-bit processors, and really, Windows XP is not really suitable as a "modern" operating system today, certainly not on relatively modern hardware such as the original poster's system. I learned that the hard way, by being around to see Windows 8 developed right from when it was infancy (which in itself shortly followed the disaster that was my attempt at testing Windows 7).

Personally, I think that you should install Windows 8, or at least Windows 7, but certainly nothing earlier than Windows Vista. Or, if you want to install the Server versions, then I would go with at least Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, but preferably Windows Server 2012 for that matter. But especially considering that your system is apparently a notebook (if I read your post correctly), I'm almost certain that you're going to be using it as a client anyway.

[Phenom II]

I've got a Turion X2 2GHz in my laptop, it runs any OS fine, 7 and 8 run perfectly

[startmenuisgone]

If i were You id go with Windows 7 32 Bit.
If your not thinking of upgrading ram to 4GB or higher, then 32 bit will be perfect for You.

It will also run stable on your PC.
(Depending on your video card, Aero may not function though)

[SpiralVortex]

We used to have Turion 64 X2 laptops at work - dog-slow things they were, we got rid of them in favour of Core2 Duos.

Bearing in mind anything you put on them is going to chug, you may as well stick with 64-bit Windows - 32-bit Windows caps at just over 3GB on those machines.

[bigboi00069]

I would say if you have 4gb of ram at least, put Vista x64. If not, put Vista 32 bit. I find xp x64 runs fast, but as everyone else said, drivers are hard to find and it is an aging OS, quickly losing application compatibility.

[coolmax]

Some more details - I like Vista as it has more modern features than XP, but the 32 bit version makes my CPU go wild, especially when I run Firefox. Firefox takes about 140 000 K and sometimes even more while on XP that was not the case. I've disabled a lot services and startup processes and still it makes the fan run way too often because the laptop gets very hot. Will the 64 bit version run better or will it put even more pressure on my CPU? I was told by a friend that running a 64 bit OS a 64 bit CPU with less than 3 GB makes the computer even slower. He says a CPU needs to have at least 3 GB for the 64 bit version to have any benefits over the 32 bit one.

If i were You id go with Windows 7 32 Bit.

So 7 runs lighter than Vista? How is that possible, since 7 is like 95% same components of Vista?
BTW, will a Win 7 upgrade from Vista run as smoothly as a clean 7 install? I'd love to retain Windows Mail, Movie Maker and Contacts from Vista.

[Phenom II]

We used to have Turion 64 X2 laptops at work - dog-slow things they were, we got rid of them in favour of Core2 Duos.

Bearing in mind anything you put on them is going to chug, you may as well stick with 64-bit Windows - 32-bit Windows caps at just over 3GB on those machines.

The rest of the laptops must have been POS then, or overloaded with crapware, mine runs Win 7, Win 8, Ubuntu, absolutely fine

[startmenuisgone]

If i were You id go with Windows 7 32 Bit.

So 7 runs lighter than Vista? How is that possible, since 7 is like 95% same components of Vista?
BTW, will a Win 7 upgrade from Vista run as smoothly as a clean 7 install? I'd love to retain Windows Mail, Movie Maker and Contacts from Vista.

Did i say it ran better? No.

Does it run better? Yes.


PS.
I ran Windows Vista on a 1GB Ram, 128MB Video Card, Pentium 4 PC and it was laggy. Windows 7 with no aero on that PC worked as fast on Windows XP.

[coolmax]

I agree with WinPC that XP is not suitable for modern hardware, but Vista (32-bit) is a memory hog on my laptop, although I like it's GUI and programs. Actually, I prefer Vista's Aero to the one in W7. However, I have decided to install a 32-bit Windows 7 (a clean install) and will look for ported Vista apps like Mail and Movie Maker (I know there is a ported Vista Movie Maker for Win 7 with an installer online) as the Live versions suck imo.

[Andy]

Coolmax, remember that Windows Vista and above has a completely different memory management system to XP. It will deliberately use all of your memory because it's caching programs and files to make opening them faster. If a program needs that used memory it immediately free's it up. It's designed that way and is a common misconception.

I also recommend that a 64bit version of Windows be used regardless of the amount of memory being used. It will allow you to get the best possible performance out of the system so you can use 64bit applications and later if you decide to upgrade the memory.

[coolmax]

I think I'll give the x64 version of W7 a try.
BTW, since I mentioned XP x64 and Server 2003 and 2008, when it comes to exotic OS choices, I know a guy having the same model like mine, running Windows FLP . I don't know how he got it working.

[Andy]

2GB of RAM is adequate for Win7 x64 but you will find it slowing down sometimes. Just keep your background apps to a minimum. Perhaps even consider using the classic windows theme and not aero will also help. You'll get the jist of it anyway.

[coolmax]

Well, I guess I'd be better off with the 32-bit version of 7 I guess?

[Andy]

No 64 is fine, and like I said it allows for upgrades later.