64 bit linux

D4RK GR4YL3N · 01-20-2004, 12:59 AM

is the SuSE 64 bit version of linux really worth the money? i am getting an athlon 64 and going to have windows xp/linux dual boot. i was wondering if i will see any real performance advamtage with a 64 bit linux os

ESmandrake · 01-20-2004, 03:25 AM

The classic unhelpful response: it depends.

OK, a little more helpful now. Most software doesn't benefit directly from the change to 64 bits. Very large databases can make use of the extra memory that is directly addressable, and apps that make heavy use of fp math will benefit too, including games. AMD's chips have more to offer than this though. You should see a performance advantage on just about all non-trivial software, since in 64 bit mode the Opteron and Athlon 64 chips have extra registers available, and it's this that improves the performance of most software. Debian and Gentoo are working on AMD64 ports, you might want to look into those before paying for SUSE, Fedora too I think. I don't know what state any of these other distros are in though, others may know more. Hope this helps some.

~~~
Steve

01-20-2004, 12:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
D4RK GR4YL3N True Techie Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 217	64 bit linux is the SuSE 64 bit version of linux really worth the money? i am getting an athlon 64 and going to have windows xp/linux dual boot. i was wondering if i will see any real performance advamtage with a 64 bit linux os __________________ Athlon 64 @ 2.3 ghz Chaintech mobo 9800 Pro 1 gig RAM 2x 160 gig sata Audigy 2 zs dvd/cdrw

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01-20-2004, 03:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
ESmandrake Newb Techie Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 21	The classic unhelpful response: it depends. OK, a little more helpful now. Most software doesn't benefit directly from the change to 64 bits. Very large databases can make use of the extra memory that is directly addressable, and apps that make heavy use of fp math will benefit too, including games. AMD's chips have more to offer than this though. You should see a performance advantage on just about all non-trivial software, since in 64 bit mode the Opteron and Athlon 64 chips have extra registers available, and it's this that improves the performance of most software. Debian and Gentoo are working on AMD64 ports, you might want to look into those before paying for SUSE, Fedora too I think. I don't know what state any of these other distros are in though, others may know more. Hope this helps some. ~~~ Steve