32 bit and 64 bit
- Thread starter marr02
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marr02
Member
Which is good OS for that?
JTM
New Member
What's the difference between 32bit and 64bit? is there a difference on the performance? What is the advantage and disadvantage?
32bit and 64bit run on a different architecture. 32bit runs on x86 architecture, and 64bit runs on x64. With 64bit you can utilize more ram and you can have programs run faster if they utilize the x64 aspect.
huh? a 64bit operating system lets you use more than about 3.5gigs of ram
a 32bit operating system will only use 3.5gigs or less.
x86 is for 32bit
x64 is for 64bit
marr02
Member
I mean Vista or windows XP.
dont really understand what you mean?
they both come in either 64bit or 32bit, depends what os youre planning on using
marr02
Member
Why does everybody likes VISTA rather than XP
Depends who you ask that question, everyone has their own preference. I use vista personally.
marr02
Member
so what's the difference between vista and xp
JTM
New Member
Well Intel developed the first x86 architecture in the 70's. The 32 bit processors run off this technology. x64 runs off of newer technology. I believe the change was made because of quad core and higher performance components. Therefore when you buy a quad core processor it will support x64. From my knowledge the 32 and 64 are the amount of data that the processor can handle.
When switching to 64bit there are some compatibility issues because it is newer. You will however be able to see programs run slightly faster (I really can't tell) and you can utilize much more ram.
Bodaggit23
Active Member
64bit operating systems will allow twice the data calculation over a 32bit OS.
Which means, programs run faster.
Which means, programs run faster.
Damian Stormbow
New Member
I had x64 XP and had moved to x64 Vista approximately 2 years ago. Since then, a great deal of x64 support has come around creating more stable builds. Not everyone is going to agree with my statement and I don't blame them. There are just too many variables out there to address to create the "stable" system. I, fortunately, own 2 x64 Vista Ultimate Desktops, 1 Vista Ultimate x86 Laptop and 1 XP Home x86 Desktop that currently have no issues. That's not to say that they never did. 
:good:
Edit*
Bottom line...
Better use of installed RAM
Ability to use RAM above the 3.#GB x86 limit
Software(including some x86 apps) run faster and more reliable
More eye candy if that's what you're in to.
:good:Edit*
Bottom line...
Better use of installed RAM
Ability to use RAM above the 3.#GB x86 limit
Software(including some x86 apps) run faster and more reliable
More eye candy if that's what you're in to.
Last edited:
Bodaggit23
Active Member
I run Vista x64 Ultimate and have not had any issues really.
I had more issues with Vista x86. Endless video card install loop. xD
I personally love Vista x64.
I had more issues with Vista x86. Endless video card install loop. xD
I personally love Vista x64.
What's the difference between 32bit and 64bit? is there a difference on the performance? What is the advantage and disadvantage?
Since this hasn't been mentioned yet:
64Bit not only allows you to access more RAM in the OS, but also allows each program to access more than 2GB of RAM. This is a necessity for certain applications.
The differences in the overall architecture go MUCH deeper. 64bit computing allows for wider registers, higher order addressing (like with the RAM), more accurate precision computing (64 bits of precision is a huge leap up), more complex instruction sets (in some cases less), and much, much more...
Windows XP is based off of the NT family. Vista is more of a re-write than a decedent of those two.
This article here is older, but pretty well written.
Not necessarily.
Twice the data calculation is correct for the most part. But, that double wide data is in some cases (depending on the CPU) calculated in a 32bit register which results in a fairly significant performance hit. In modern CPUs, all those 64bit instructions (and data) are crunched in the same general manner as 32bit instructions. It's just that the 32bit instructions don't fill the entire register or data path. In a sense, running 32bit instructions on a 64bit CPU is wasting half the processing space. The instructions still process in roughly the same amout of time, though there are exceptions.
JTM
New Member
Nicely put, good to know stuff.
kookooshortman55
New Member
I think it would have to depend on how much RAM you have. Vista uses more RAM than XP, but if you have the RAM I think it's better than XP. I would say if you have anything less than 2GB, you might not want to go with Vista. I don't know if this is true, but I heard that Vista tends to use RAM for inactive programs, making it generally faster when it uses them, but requires more RAM to do this. Personally, I like the visual effects in Vista and haven't had a problem with it in over a year and a half.