Can I install 32 bit and 64 bit versions on one machine?

I seem to remember this question being raised before, but I wasn't in a position to do it so I didn't pay much attention.

I tried using the search engine here, but it was leading nowhere so I apologize for asking this if it has indeed been dealt with.

This is for a new machine that's Win7 64 bit 6GRam 15 760 (quad core) 2.88

I'm still awaiting the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 interface, but thought I'd install the 32 bit version and see what little garbage it would do with the onboard audio chipset... ;-)

So I'm wondering, can I install both on one machine and if so must I create seperate partitions or such? Any advice would be appreciated...

Much Thanks
Inek

Indeed you can. I'd go as far as to say you should. It's really handy to be able to go back to the 32 bit version if a project requires it (eg Rewire, or a certain plugin that won't work well in BitBridge or whatever).

Nothing fancy required. They install quite happily side by side. Windows 7 has separate Program Files folders for 64 bit and 32 bit anyway, so if you just accept the default installation options for each version, you'll be fine.

Thanks Everybody...

This will be a first time for me (installing the 64 bit) as well as first install on win7... (I wish this was mine!) ;-)

I look forward to the adventure. I'm guessing it doesn't matter in which order I install them?

What I was also curious about is whether the onboard audio chipset is running 64bit to begin with on a 64bit win7 install? It's been so long since I did such a "new" install that I'm curious about a lot of things... Such as will the chipset (onboard) support wdm or is it still in the (ver) dark ages?

Much thanks to you all...
Keni