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    difference between 64bit and 32/64bit?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Jedi007, Jul 1, 2008.

  1. Jedi007

    Jedi007 Notebook Evangelist

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    A lot of PC manufacturers have say "windows xxx 64bit" and other's say 32/64bit... Is there any difference? for the 32/64 do you like get a choice which one to do when you're installing it? or is it just trying to tell you have 32 bit apps can run on 64 bit windows?
     
    Jedi007, Jul 1, 2008
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  2. HyeVltg3

    HyeVltg3 Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry but soooo far all I know about either is that in 32bit the highest RAM usable is 3gb and in 64bit you can install 4gb or RAM
     
    HyeVltg3, Jul 1, 2008
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  3. rypic7

    rypic7 Notebook Geek

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    Wikipedia has a good bit on it:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit#32_vs_64_bit

    But like HyeVltg3 said, with a 32-bit OS you can only take advantage of about 3.5 gigs of RAM, so having more than that is pretty much just for bragging rights. Also, 64-bit OSs require different drivers than 32-bit OSs, which can sometimes be a tad bit more difficult to find.
     
    rypic7, Jul 1, 2008
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  4. ThunderCat69

    ThunderCat69 Notebook Evangelist

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    There is alot of info on NBR about the pro's and con's on 64bit OS. Ive been using Ultimate 64 for about 4 months now and I have not found a program that I cannot run. Drivers for Vista 64 are everywhere but drivers for 64bit XP are a bit harder to find. 64bit OS is what will be the standard in a few years and if you have a 64bit CPU you might as well use its potential. Look for the x64 team on NBR.
     
    ThunderCat69, Jul 1, 2008
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  5. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

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    Based on what Wikipedia says;

    1. When we talk about a 64bit mobo, are we saying that we have an soft-emulator to run 32bit applications?

    2. And that a 32/64bit mobo also has a 32bit processor besides the 64bit processor?

    If 1 and 2 are true, then I think a 32/64bit is better but I haven't heard of mobo's with two processors, 32 and 64bits.
     
    Wirelessman, Jul 1, 2008
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  6. schoko

    schoko Custom User Title

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    32/64 bit, just means it is capable of running both.

    microsofts 64 bit OS´s XP 64 and vista 64 do make use of 64 bit hardware, but they can emulate ( as you already guessed) 32 bit for running 32 bit software -> thus 32 /64

    your second guess is afaik wrong. there is no such thing as a mainboard the a 32 bit and a 64 bit processor. wouldn´t make much sense.
     
    schoko, Jul 1, 2008
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  7. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

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    As I started my post, based on what Wikipedia said I bstated my point 2.
     
    Wirelessman, Jul 1, 2008
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