I'm planning to get W8 and was wondering if I should get the 64-bit version if I only have 2GB of RAM?

If you are certain that you'll never upgrade this machine's RAM, then go with 32 bit for enhanced compatibility with older software. It'll take years until developers will drop support for 32bit totally, and the programs and games that _need_ 64bit would also need more than 2 GB of RAM anyway.

Don't see a reason why not to go with 64-bit.

They still sell 32 bit versions? I was hoping they'd finally get rid of 32 bit so devs would finally start making more 64 bit software.

Well the only drawback to 64bit is that you can't run 16bit software, but that's pretty rare these days honestly. So if you're absolutely POSITIVE that you will NEVER EVER EVER need more than 2GB of ram EVER, then you can go with 32bit, but honestly that seems a little shortsighted to me, especially if you're planning on playing any 3d video games.

I'd always take a 64-bit version today. First you will have more than 2 GB RAM sooner or later. Second every 32-bit software runs fine under a 64-bit OS.

I switched to 64-bit with Windows Vista. Vista was crap, but not because of the 64-bit architecture. :) Now I use Windows 7, 64-bit again. And what can I say? It is just great. I hadn't any incompatibility issues so far. And yes, I know I benefit from using more than 2 GB RAM, but the TO will do so too. Soon! I know it! :p

Why are you considering getting Win8 when you've got 2GB RAM anyway? Unless you're still using ME then it's not the best upgrade you could have.

Never mind.

I know this isn't your question, but please consider Win7.

Also, 64-bit.

there is always emulation if you need 32 bit, just boot up vb :)

Choosing the 32bit version should have been made illegal already with Win7.

16bit Win9x game installers? Install WinXP on the side or in VMWare Player, or keep your old XP/Win98SE machine available for those game. Or buy the GOG version.

Lots of ors, but that's what makes life so interesting.

The 32-bit version will generally have lower RAM usage and disk usage. It's not a major difference but if you're sticking with 2GB of RAM I think that the 32-bit version would be a better bet.

Get the 64-bit version. It will work just fine with your 2gb ram. And like others said, if you have need to run some very old software use emulators/virtualization.

It's good for netbooks when 64-bit isn't an option and wine just won't cut it. I don't understand the fascination with Windows 8. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Not for free, and certainly not for the money they want for it. Hell, the only reason I use Windows at all is for compatibility with certain games, programs, and being able to use Netflix (Along with a myriad of other issues, they refuse to support Linux, but I'm not the one paying for the subscription, so I just put up with booting into Windows and call them a bunch of jackoffs).

Generally speaking, though, yes. Unless you have a very good reason to be using 32-bit Windows, you should either be using 64-bit Windows 7 or some alternative such as a Linux distro... and Windows usage should be at an absolute minimum, as gaming is about all it's good for. ;)

If you pay good money for Windows 8, especially 32-bit Windows 8, and you go about with Internet Explorer, without so much as an ad-blocker, you deserve everything bad that happens to you. XD