Difference between 32bit and 64bit operating system?

A

ashishkashyap25

New member
I got my laptop formatted and installed the windows 7 ultimate edition. It prompt me to choose the bit and I selected 32bit.
Now my question is what difference does it makes if I would have selected 32bit.

I googled in this regards but could't extract the satisfactory answer, so I decided to post a thread in this regard, hope you have the solution for my problem.
 
I think one of the main things is that 64 bit environments as well as 64 bit apps can handle much larger file sizes. 32 bit apps have limits on file sizes. This may not be much of a big deal for something like creating documents in Word. But if you are doing stuff like video editing, where file sizes of the raw footage can easily be several gigabytes, this becomes even more important. Adobe Premiere for example requires a 64 bit environment.
 
64 bit environment as well as 64 bit apps can handle muuch large file sizes. 32 bit apps have limits on file sizes. This may not be much of a big deal for something like creating document in word.
 
You know what? I never really thought about it, but now that you mentioned it I was quite interested in knowing the difference, Windows says this:

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system.
Click to expand...

Sort of clears it up for me, is that the only difference though?
 
Hi,

In simple term, a 'bit' is referring to the amount of data that the CPU can process at any time. A 32-bit system usually means that the CPU can process 32-bit of data at a time. Similarly, a 64-bit CPU will be able to process 64-bit of data, which is double that of a 32-bit system. Since the 64-bit CPU can handle more data at any time, it can theoretically allow you to load larger programs, bigger files, run applications faster and increase the performance of your computer. The latest CPU in the market now are mostly 64-bit, and can handle both 32-bit and 64-bit instructions.

Even if you have a 64-bit system, you will need a Operating System that can utilize it. Most of the older operating system (such as Windows 98, first generation of Windows XP) are only capable of handling 32-bit data. While you can still install them in your 64-bit system, you won't be able to utilize and experience the gain in performance. The 64-bit Windows Vista (and Windows XP) are designed to do that. If you are using Mac Leopard, it is already 64-bit capable.

Differences between 32-bit and 64-bit

Other than the amount of data that the it can process, the amount of maximum RAM supported is also different for a 32-bit and 64 bit system.. A 32-bit processors can only access a maximum of 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM memory while a 64-bit system can support up to 1 terabytes (1000GB) of memory.. Even if your motherboard supports up to 8GB RAM, your 32-bit OS can only recognize up to 4GB, which means that the remaining 4GB are useless.

Depending on the edition of Windows Vista you are using, the 64-bit version can support from 1GB of RAM up to a maximum of 128GB of RAM.

Is 64 bits better?

Theoretically, yes. But in reality, this doesn't seem to be the case.

First of all, your computer is not only made up of your CPU, motherboard and OS alone. You still have other components such as the graphics card, sound card, hard drive etc. For your 64-bit operating system to work, you need to get the rest of the hardware to work in 64-bit mode as well. The problem is, most device drivers are designed for 32-bit system only and your 64-bit OS won't recognize any 32-bit driver at all. While some of the reputable hardware manufacturers have released 64-bit drivers for their products, there are still a majority of them that haven't do so. To get your 64-bit OS to work, you have to change the computer part to one that is 64-bit capable, or live with a malfunction device in your computer. Both are not ideal.

Secondly, most of the applications (especially games) are not designed to work in a 64-bit environment. Until the point where all applications are 64-bit capable, you are seriously under-utilizing your system. There is absolutely no difference in running a 32-bit application in a 32-bit system and a 64-bit system, and you can forget having an increase in your computer performance.

Thirdly, if you are using your computer for only playing games, surfing the Web, check email and type document, chances are, you won't be utilizing your 32-bit capability, let alone 64-bit.. To fully utilize 64-bit system and its support for bigger memory, you need to carry out memory intensive tasks such as video editing and image processing. Only then will you experience the full power of a 64-bit performance over a 32-bit.

Should I upgrade to 64-bits OS?

Most of the CPU and motherboards are already 64-bit capable, so the next thing to consider is whether to upgrade to a 64-bit OS. While there are no compelling reasons to do so at the moment, there is also no penalty for upgrading. I can only say that to upgrade or not is totally up to your own preferences. Judging from the fact that 64-bit will become the standard in the future, it doesn't really hurt to do the upgrade now, if you already have a 64-bit system and 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.




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64 bit environment as well as 64 bit apps can handle muuch large file sizes. 32 bit apps have limits on file sizes. This may not be much of a big deal for something like creating document in word.
 
The term 32 bit and 64 bit refer to the way a computer processors handle information. 64 bit version of the windows handle large amount of access memory more effectively than 32 bit system.
 
sylvia said:
Hi,

In simple term, a 'bit' is referring to the amount of data that the CPU can process at any time. A 32-bit system usually means that the CPU can process 32-bit of data at a time. Similarly, a 64-bit CPU will be able to process 64-bit of data, which is double that of a 32-bit system. Since the 64-bit CPU can handle more data at any time, it can theoretically allow you to load larger programs, bigger files, run applications faster and increase the performance of your computer. The latest CPU in the market now are mostly 64-bit, and can handle both 32-bit and 64-bit instructions.

Even if you have a 64-bit system, you will need a Operating System that can utilize it. Most of the older operating system (such as Windows 98, first generation of Windows XP) are only capable of handling 32-bit data. While you can still install them in your 64-bit system, you won't be able to utilize and experience the gain in performance. The 64-bit Windows Vista (and Windows XP) are designed to do that. If you are using Mac Leopard, it is already 64-bit capable.

Differences between 32-bit and 64-bit

Other than the amount of data that the it can process, the amount of maximum RAM supported is also different for a 32-bit and 64 bit system.. A 32-bit processors can only access a maximum of 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM memory while a 64-bit system can support up to 1 terabytes (1000GB) of memory.. Even if your motherboard supports up to 8GB RAM, your 32-bit OS can only recognize up to 4GB, which means that the remaining 4GB are useless.

Depending on the edition of Windows Vista you are using, the 64-bit version can support from 1GB of RAM up to a maximum of 128GB of RAM.

Is 64 bits better?

Theoretically, yes. But in reality, this doesn't seem to be the case.

First of all, your computer is not only made up of your CPU, motherboard and OS alone. You still have other components such as the graphics card, sound card, hard drive etc. For your 64-bit operating system to work, you need to get the rest of the hardware to work in 64-bit mode as well. The problem is, most device drivers are designed for 32-bit system only and your 64-bit OS won't recognize any 32-bit driver at all. While some of the reputable hardware manufacturers have released 64-bit drivers for their products, there are still a majority of them that haven't do so. To get your 64-bit OS to work, you have to change the computer part to one that is 64-bit capable, or live with a malfunction device in your computer. Both are not ideal.

Secondly, most of the applications (especially games) are not designed to work in a 64-bit environment. Until the point where all applications are 64-bit capable, you are seriously under-utilizing your system. There is absolutely no difference in running a 32-bit application in a 32-bit system and a 64-bit system, and you can forget having an increase in your computer performance.

Thirdly, if you are using your computer for only playing games, surfing the Web, check email and type document, chances are, you won't be utilizing your 32-bit capability, let alone 64-bit.. To fully utilize 64-bit system and its support for bigger memory, you need to carry out memory intensive tasks such as video editing and image processing. Only then will you experience the full power of a 64-bit performance over a 32-bit.

Should I upgrade to 64-bits OS?

Most of the CPU and motherboards are already 64-bit capable, so the next thing to consider is whether to upgrade to a 64-bit OS. While there are no compelling reasons to do so at the moment, there is also no penalty for upgrading. I can only say that to upgrade or not is totally up to your own preferences. Judging from the fact that 64-bit will become the standard in the future, it doesn't really hurt to do the upgrade now, if you already have a 64-bit system and 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.




Best HAVC in Kanata, Ottawa, Nepean, Orleans, Barrhaven, Richmond and Sttitsville
Click to expand...

Thank you for such a detailed explanation. I can only add this. Don't be to fixated with getting the latest 64-bit hardware. First make sure that your favourite programmes have a 64-bit version. Then find out if the 64-bit version works any better than your current 32-bit version. If not, then just stay with your 32-bit. And be happy.
 
You may as well go with the 64-bit option. The main problem despite all of it's advantages is that it may have problems running legacy applications. You can usually use the compatibility installer for installing 32-bit applications, but when it comes to the really old ones they may not work at all.
 
A big difference between 32-bit processors and 64-bit processors is the number of calculations per second they can perform, which affects the speed at which they can complete tasks. 64-bit processors can come in dual core, quad core, six core, and eight core versions for home computing. Multiple cores allow for an increased number of calculations per second that can be performed, which can increase the processing power and help make a computer run faster. Software programs that require many calculations to function smoothly can operate faster and more efficiently on the multi-core 64-bit processors, for the most part.
Another big difference between 32-bit processors and 64-bit processors is the maximum amount of memory (RAM) that is supported. 32-bit computers support a maximum of 3-4GB of memory, whereas a 64-bit computer can support memory amounts over 4 GB. This feature is important for software programs used in graphic design, engineering, and video editing as these programs have to perform many calculations to render their images.
One thing to note is that 3D graphic programs and games do not benefit much, if at all, from switching to a 64-bit computer, unless the program is a 64-bit program. A 32-bit processor is adequate for any program written for a 32-bit processor. In the case of computer games, you'll get a lot more performance by upgrading the video card instead of getting a 64-bit processor.
In the end, 64-bit processors are becoming more and more commonplace in home computers. Most manufacturers build computers with 64-bit processors due to cheaper prices and because more users are now using 64-bit operating systems and programs. Computer parts retailers are offering fewer and fewer 32-bit processors and soon may not offer any at all.
 
The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system.
 
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