Confused by 32 vs 64 bit processor and OS

I'm looking to buy a new laptop very soon. I've got some software which I believe to be only 32 bit compatible. If the computer I'm considering has a 64 bit processor, will its power be lost on a 32 bit operating system, or will the robust power of the processor simply execute tasks much more quickly in the 32 bit system?



Thank you.

-Erin

 

Guide in sig.

 

Sir Lithus! Thanks for the link. I read your post and now feel more ignorant.

Here's my question: If I buy a machine running Win 7/64, with a Core i5-540M processor, will my applications (written for [or at least presently running in] a 32 bit OS) be operable? If so, I'll certainly get the 64 Bit Windows OS at the time the machine is built, vs upgrading to it down the line.

The other question is, if I get the 32 bit OS to avoid potential driver issues, how much of a disservice am I doing myself speedwise, considering the processor will be the same in either scenario? (Again, I'm looking at a Lenovo T410 w/the i5-540M.

Meanwhile I'll continue trying to get up to speed on answering my own questions.

Respect,
Erin

 

What are you running that doesn't have 64 bit drivers? Drivers tend to focus on hardware and a 32 bit software will run fine on a 64 bit operating system. Most applications are 32 bit still but if you were to run Photoshop or AutoCAD it would fully take advantage of your 64bit operating status. Things like MS Office 2007 won't as they're 32 bit but have no issues running in a 64 bit environment.

 

Thanks. What got me concerned is reading a tutorial from 2005 stating that old applications (I think they were talking about 16 bit apps though) would not run in a 64 bit environment. I'm probably unnecessarily concerned.

 

I really can't think of a disadvantage of going 64 bit in terms of backwards compatibility. Heck I run the game starcraft which is OLD on windows7 64 bit and it runs fine.

 

Altoid, thanks. I'll probably be holding off with my purchase now, until I find out whether the unit transmits audio via displayport or not. But at least I have the operating system question resolved. Much appreciated.

 

and if by any chance you would have a problem, you could install the 32bit os and solve it by that (if your application would require some special driver, and that special driver would not exist in a 64bit version. chance is very low).

the licence of your os is independent on bitness. you would need to download the right-bit-version of the os. the thread for that is in this forum, called "legal windows 7 download links" or something. and then you could install the 32bit version.

this solves ANY of your concens. try 64bit. if it doesn't work, ask in here. if no one has a solution, try 32bit.

but by default, it should work without an issue.

 

All CPUs are 64-bit. They have been for a long time. I'm pretty sure you're referring to the OS, though. The problem with 32-bit these days is that it's getting hard to find. Most computer manufacturers have completely switched to 64-bit. You can still buy it separately, though.

32-bit programs do run in Windows 7 64-bit very well. They're not nearly as buggy as they used to be. One of my friends used to have Windows XP x64. What a piece of crap that OS was. Getting any 32-bit programs to work was nearly impossible.

I would say it would be a mistake buying a 32-bit OS now. You're going to find yourself quickly falling behind the new software in the future. As 32-bit gets phased out, finding drivers and making programs work will become much more difficult.

 

not all cpus are 64bit. most are, but if you buy some random netbook, chance is, the processor isn't.

but yeah, most are.


but, ynobody, there is no "i buy a 32bit os now". you buy a licence to any windows version, and this is always independent on the bitness. you can just use what works.

 

these parts are false, the rest of your comment is pretty much true. windows xp x64 never really got supported, but that was an operating system, which has nothing to do with modern hardware or modern versions of windows. most modern processors are in fact 64 bit, but not all. 32 bit versions of windows are just as well supported as 64 bit versions at this point and you will not fall behind either way. it just doesn't matter that much. i would go 64 bit anyway, because there isn't much of a downside to it for the average user.

 

I should re-phrase myself. All the computers I've looked at for this year do not have 32-bit OSes. I guess some netbooks or low-end laptops might, but the majority are sold with 64-bit.

If I'm wrong, that's fine. I'm willing to admit it if someone who is more knowledgeable corrects me; however, saying that 32-bit isn't being phased out is wrong. It is. It's old. I wouldn't be surprised if the next version of Windows didn't even have any 32-bit versions.

As the popularity of 64-bit increases, so will the use of it in programs. These will include commonly used things like web browsers. If there's more demand to update the 64-bit version of the browser, the original browser will be left in the dust. This is just a possible example, but you can see how this will effect the average user.

 

32-bit is not being "phased out" in the normal terms of that phrase. The x86-64 ISA is backwards compatible with x86-32, so any 32-bit programs will continue to work regardless.

Yes, programmers are going to try to use the x86-64 ISA to attempt to build programs that will benefit from the switch to 64-bit, but there's actually quite little that can be had for the average user. Most programs don't need the precision that 64-bit registers bring.

 

Thanks for all the input. I see 64 bit is the way to go.

-Erin