help understand 64bit cpu's

Merky Works · 01-10-2006, 10:07 AM

ok so i have read the cpu 101 and it has been very helpfull, however one thing that im still unclear on is that newer amd64 are 64 bit cpu's. so that means that it processes 64 bits of data were as an old p4 1.6ghz will only process 32 bits of data, now this would make the cpu faster right? but then i read that you need a os that can operate in 64bit mode(xp 64) or somthing like that. so how does that work??

**apj101** · 01-10-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merky Works

ok so i have read the cpu 101 and it has been very helpfull, however one thing that im still unclear on is that newer amd64 are 64 bit cpu's. so that means that it processes 64 bits of data were as an old p4 1.6ghz will only process 32 bits of data, now this would make the cpu faster right? but then i read that you need a os that can operate in 64bit mode(xp 64) or somthing like that. so how does that work??

64bit simply refers to the size of the integer registers. It does not effect the speed of the cpu, nor directly the performance.

It means that the cpu can address more ram, so the system can have more ram in it.

Merky Works · 01-10-2006, 10:29 AM

so is means that it can take more a bit out of the info?

so than what is the big deal with the athlon 64 series vs the newer p4 prescot series, being 64 bit vs 32 bit.

sorry about the noob ?'s

**apj101** · 01-10-2006, 10:48 AM

furture proof. In year to come apps and operating systems will need to address more ram, holding large data sets. You need to have a 64bit machine to run the apps and operating systems that are designed for 64bit platforms.

raven98030 · 01-12-2006, 03:43 AM

So you can have a fast Processor and about 1024GB for memory an be fine.I am planning getting the AMD 4200 Processor and 2048GB for memory.

Xycron · 01-12-2006, 03:59 AM

I think you mean, 1024MB and 2048MB's....If you had even 5GB's of ram i would be pretty supprisedd...

01-10-2006, 10:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Merky Works Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 36	help understand 64bit cpu's ok so i have read the cpu 101 and it has been very helpfull, however one thing that im still unclear on is that newer amd64 are 64 bit cpu's. so that means that it processes 64 bits of data were as an old p4 1.6ghz will only process 32 bits of data, now this would make the cpu faster right? but then i read that you need a os that can operate in 64bit mode(xp 64) or somthing like that. so how does that work??

01-10-2006, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
apj101 Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Age: 26 Posts: 9,166	furture proof. In year to come apps and operating systems will need to address more ram, holding large data sets. You need to have a 64bit machine to run the apps and operating systems that are designed for 64bit platforms. __________________ What did one snow man say to the other? can you smell carrot? The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights. How you do anything, is how you do everything!

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01-10-2006, 10:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Merky Works Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 36	so is means that it can take more a bit out of the info? so than what is the big deal with the athlon 64 series vs the newer p4 prescot series, being 64 bit vs 32 bit. sorry about the noob ?'s

01-12-2006, 03:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
raven98030 New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 14	So you can have a fast Processor and about 1024GB for memory an be fine.I am planning getting the AMD 4200 Processor and 2048GB for memory.

01-12-2006, 03:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
Xycron banned Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,099	I think you mean, 1024MB and 2048MB's....If you had even 5GB's of ram i would be pretty supprisedd...