Difference between XP32 and XP 64??

Antec-User · 12-15-2008, 01:46 AM

Besides the obvious..

What exactly is the 32 and 64 bit?? Call me slow, but I never really paid attention to it until recently.. About to get my hands on the 64 bit, but I'm wondering if it was worth switching to..

Rig specs in sig..

Hussein19891 · 12-15-2008, 02:14 AM

All Core2Duo chips and Athlon 64bit/ Athlon X2 chips are 64 bit. When you use 64bit you are able to use 4GB of ram or more. While 32 bit only allows like 3.2GB of ram.

With a 64 bit Operating System you may be notice a slight increase in performance, but that's mostly due to the fact that your chip is actually using all of its 64 bit bus width.

CrazeD · 12-15-2008, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hussein19891

While 32 bit only allows like 3.2GB of ram.

No, you can use 4GB max with 32bit. The amount that is available for use is determined by how much addressing space your hardware takes up.

Keep in mind that there are a lot of incompatibilities with 64bit, such as older device support (because generally you need 64bit drivers) and a lot of open source/cheapo applications may not be compatible.

Antec-User · 12-15-2008, 03:35 AM

I'm using 4g @ 1066 now and it recognizes it, but after a while of running it, it only recognized about 3.5g for some reason..

I'm just wondering if it would be worth switching..

CrazeD · 12-15-2008, 04:17 AM

There's not really that much difference really. As said, possibly a slight performance increase, and being able to use more than 4GB of RAM (if you need to).

Antec-User · 12-15-2008, 04:41 AM

^ how much RAM would be used by system idle process due to 64 bit vs 32?? I'd always be up for an increase in RAM recognition/usage.

zedman3d · 12-15-2008, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antec-User

I'm using 4g @ 1066 now and it recognizes it, but after a while of running it, it only recognized about 3.5g for some reason..

I'm just wondering if it would be worth switching..

I would have thought it would only see 3GB since you have a 1GB card.

CrazeD · 12-15-2008, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antec-User

^ how much RAM would be used by system idle process due to 64 bit vs 32?? I'd always be up for an increase in RAM recognition/usage.

Wouldn't be a difference I don't think.

However it will recognize and use your full 4GB.

Saxon · 12-15-2008, 01:09 PM

32 bit OS RAM limitation.

^ That thread just above this one covers most of the 32 vs 64 issues, it's a stick so you can post in it any time.

veedubfreak · 12-15-2008, 01:41 PM

32bit can only "address" 3.5gb of memory due to reservations built into the OS, then subtract your video card from that, and thats how much windows will actually be able to use. 64bit can address up to 128gb if i recall.

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