Can I install Windows 10 32 or 64bit on my wife's currently-XP system?
August 26, 2016 7:24 PM Subscribe
I've included some specs and such in the body of the message. Basically, the system specs seem comfortably above the minimum reqs for Win10, but I'm not clear on whether I should go 32 or 64 -- her XP is 32, but I don't know if 64bit OSs were a thing at the time.
Gibson Research Corporation SecurAble indicates:
Gibson Research Corporation SecurAble indicates:
- YES: 64 bit
- YES: Hardware D.E.P.
- NO: Hardware virtualization
Operating SystemAfter this I need to figure out how to do a clean install -- just format then install? I've only ever done this once, on a new build.
Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3
CPU
Intel Pentium 4 630 (CPU 3.00GHz)
Prescott 90nm Technology
RAM
4.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 333MHz (5-5-5-15)
Motherboard
Intel Corporation D945GTP (LGA 775) 40 °C
Graphics
SyncMaster (1024x768@60Hz)
SyncMaster (1024x768@60Hz)
Intel 82945G Express Chipset Family (Intel)
Storage
74GB Seagate ST380815AS (SATA) 34 °C
Optical Drives
ATAPI DVD C DH52C2P
Audio
SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
Response by poster: I'm now also contemplating a small SSD -- even a 120GB one is only $60 retail and her PC would run way faster...
posted by Decimask at 7:35 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Decimask at 7:35 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The passmark shows that's a pretty underpowered CPU; it will probably run, I have Windows 10 on a laptop that's about 3x as fast, and it runs OK, not great; also 4GB is going to be pretty tight for W10, and that's a pretty slow memory bus. But, if the alternative is to get rid of that computer, I say go ahead and try the W10 install, what's the worst that could happen?
And, to answer the question: yes, go 64bit, no reason not to.
On refresh: More RAM and an SSD will definitely improve performance, if you're going to put money anywhere.
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:36 PM on August 26, 2016
And, to answer the question: yes, go 64bit, no reason not to.
On refresh: More RAM and an SSD will definitely improve performance, if you're going to put money anywhere.
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:36 PM on August 26, 2016
If it's a x64 processor, which it is, install the 64-bit version of Windows. That's pretty much all there is to it. Don't over think it too much.
Do you have Windows 10 on a DVD or USB stick? If so, then just boot off the media (typically there's a key you press during the boot splash screen) and then go through the options for a clean installation (I think you can press "Custom Install" and then you can format the disk, etc).
posted by kbanas at 7:36 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Do you have Windows 10 on a DVD or USB stick? If so, then just boot off the media (typically there's a key you press during the boot splash screen) and then go through the options for a clean installation (I think you can press "Custom Install" and then you can format the disk, etc).
posted by kbanas at 7:36 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: On refresh: More RAM and an SSD will definitely improve performance, if you're going to put money anywhere.
This is true. A SSD can (sort of) breathe life into an old system, but I would not really encourage you to invest any money into a system this old. That is money that you could put toward a new system, if it's at all feasible.
Will Windows 10 run? Sure. Probably just as good as Windows 7 or Windows 8. It'll run, but it won't be super fun times. This is old hardware.
But, you really do need to upgrade it if it's connected to the internet. Windows XP is EOL, and it's a gigantic risk having it on the net. Ok, maybe not a gigantic risk, but it's completely unsupported and insecure. At my place of business, they're absolutely not allowed on the network.
posted by kbanas at 7:39 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is true. A SSD can (sort of) breathe life into an old system, but I would not really encourage you to invest any money into a system this old. That is money that you could put toward a new system, if it's at all feasible.
Will Windows 10 run? Sure. Probably just as good as Windows 7 or Windows 8. It'll run, but it won't be super fun times. This is old hardware.
But, you really do need to upgrade it if it's connected to the internet. Windows XP is EOL, and it's a gigantic risk having it on the net. Ok, maybe not a gigantic risk, but it's completely unsupported and insecure. At my place of business, they're absolutely not allowed on the network.
posted by kbanas at 7:39 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
USB stick might not work if the hardware is too old. I'd go with a DVD instead. But worth a try, for sure.
posted by nostrada at 8:04 PM on August 26, 2016
posted by nostrada at 8:04 PM on August 26, 2016
Best answer: Yes you can install Windows 10, but please don't put any money into a 10 year old computer.
Windows 10 is about $100. You can buy a new computer that's way faster for $200 with windows 10.
posted by gregr at 8:10 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Windows 10 is about $100. You can buy a new computer that's way faster for $200 with windows 10.
posted by gregr at 8:10 PM on August 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The real problem here as others have noted is that even putting Windows 10 onto the machine is a $100 investment, and at that point you're nearly throwing away money, since the license may be locked to that hardware. The possible upside is that Win10 will probably feel somewhat faster and more responsive on the system than 7 or 8.
We have a number of HP DC7600 business PC's here that I upgraded to Win10 Insider Preview back before release, and they're similar enough to your PC that I can tell you that they're functional but not super-zippy. You can start remediating the issues with fixes such as an SSD, but the big thing is that you're probably capped at 4GB of RAM. A 64 bit OS will use somewhat more RAM than a 32 bit OS, and even a 32 bit OS may be a bit tight on 4GB these days.
If you look at the cost for Win10 alone, it makes a lot more sense to head over to NewEgg and start looking at the refurb PC's. These are mostly off-lease systems that have been replaced within corporate environments, and they start at under $100.
For $150, for example, you can get a Core 2 Duo system with 8GB of RAM that's maybe twice as fast as what you've got now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA59642D2648
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Pentium-4-630-vs-Intel-Core2-Duo-E8400
And it comes with Windows 10, but if you subtract the $100 you would have paid to put 10 on your existing PC, think of it as getting a dual core 3GHz 8GB RAM system for only $50 more. This specific unit is from a known refurb company and they claim it has a new Win10 COA which would make life easier if you ever needed to reinstall. Like when you added that cheap 120GB SSD for $50 more.
So, yes, you can probably put 10 on that existing system, but if you can afford a little more, you're probably a lot better off spending more like $200 for a more recent system.
posted by jgreco at 4:56 AM on August 27, 2016
We have a number of HP DC7600 business PC's here that I upgraded to Win10 Insider Preview back before release, and they're similar enough to your PC that I can tell you that they're functional but not super-zippy. You can start remediating the issues with fixes such as an SSD, but the big thing is that you're probably capped at 4GB of RAM. A 64 bit OS will use somewhat more RAM than a 32 bit OS, and even a 32 bit OS may be a bit tight on 4GB these days.
If you look at the cost for Win10 alone, it makes a lot more sense to head over to NewEgg and start looking at the refurb PC's. These are mostly off-lease systems that have been replaced within corporate environments, and they start at under $100.
For $150, for example, you can get a Core 2 Duo system with 8GB of RAM that's maybe twice as fast as what you've got now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA59642D2648
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Pentium-4-630-vs-Intel-Core2-Duo-E8400
And it comes with Windows 10, but if you subtract the $100 you would have paid to put 10 on your existing PC, think of it as getting a dual core 3GHz 8GB RAM system for only $50 more. This specific unit is from a known refurb company and they claim it has a new Win10 COA which would make life easier if you ever needed to reinstall. Like when you added that cheap 120GB SSD for $50 more.
So, yes, you can probably put 10 on that existing system, but if you can afford a little more, you're probably a lot better off spending more like $200 for a more recent system.
posted by jgreco at 4:56 AM on August 27, 2016
Response by poster: I'd never seriously considered getting her a new PC, but man some of Newegg.ca's refurbs are cheap.
As I'm in Canada, I'm looking at this one on Newegg.ca. Only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on it is someone commenting on how the sound card doesn't work on theirs. That's probably something you can address by plugging in a cheap Win10-compatible card though.
posted by Decimask at 6:57 AM on August 27, 2016
As I'm in Canada, I'm looking at this one on Newegg.ca. Only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on it is someone commenting on how the sound card doesn't work on theirs. That's probably something you can address by plugging in a cheap Win10-compatible card though.
posted by Decimask at 6:57 AM on August 27, 2016
Yes, even a cheap W10 compatible USB sound dongle (under $20 on newegg) will do the trick. I probably wouldn't buy an actual card.
You'll also save a bit on electricity - Intel didn't seem to care about efficiency in the P4 generation, but they got religion about it for subsequent generations.
posted by wotsac at 7:33 AM on August 27, 2016
You'll also save a bit on electricity - Intel didn't seem to care about efficiency in the P4 generation, but they got religion about it for subsequent generations.
posted by wotsac at 7:33 AM on August 27, 2016
100% agree on buying a refurb. I have a HP DC5800 and a DC7800 I've been using for years as a file servers and a HTPC. A cheap SSD will make those machines reasonably fast. A cheap fanless video card ($30) means you'll be able to do full screen HD video no problem.
posted by cnc at 10:39 AM on August 27, 2016
posted by cnc at 10:39 AM on August 27, 2016
The main downside I can see is the 4GB of RAM. A lot of these units come with their slots stuffed full of low density memory, so upgrades can mean pulling existing modules. 8GB seems to be the "pleasant point" for modest-to-moderate Win10 usage such as web browsing and e-mail. Software has slowly gotten bigger and fatter and piggier over the years, so what worked well five or ten years ago works somewhat less well with modern software. This, combined with a bump up from 32-bit to 64-bit, may make a new 64-bit 4GB machine feel a little bit more like it has something more like your existing system with 3GB of RAM.
Not necessarily bad enough to be a "don't do it" but at least "be aware." On the other hand, eBay is an easy source for RAM upgrades if you guess wrong, and smaller modules are generally pretty cheap.
posted by jgreco at 1:55 PM on August 27, 2016
Not necessarily bad enough to be a "don't do it" but at least "be aware." On the other hand, eBay is an easy source for RAM upgrades if you guess wrong, and smaller modules are generally pretty cheap.
posted by jgreco at 1:55 PM on August 27, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by sexyrobot at 7:33 PM on August 26, 2016