Re: [LUG] 64 bit

[Julian Hall <linux@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 On 17/09/2010 19:54, Rob Beard wrote:
> On 17/09/10 12:07, Julian Hall wrote:
> > On 17/09/2010 11:07, Neil Winchurst wrote:
> > > I am planning to finally upgrade from my two year old version of
> > > Linux. Up to now I have always used 32 bit systems although my
> > > computer will handle 64 bit.
> > >
> > > I have no interest in gaming so I just do emails, browsing and playing
> > > around with digital photos using the Gimp. would there be any
> > > advantage in going for 64 bit? Would there be any disadvantages or
> > > problems?
> > >
> > > Any advice welcome.
> > >
> > > TIA
> > >
> > > Neil
> > Aside from the obvious - speed - I've noticed (on Windows 7a anyway,
> > Linux may be better behaved) that 32 bit apps are less stable on a 64
> > bit system. In a nutshell IMHO you're not getting the best out of the
> > system of you still have a 32 bit OS on a 64 bit system.
> >
> > Julian
>
> Do you mean 32-Bit apps on a 64-Bit OS or 32-Bit apps on a 32-Bit OS 
> on a 64-Bit CPU?
>
> Remember, AMD64 is an extension to the IA32 instruction set, it's not 
> as if it's a completely new instruction set (such as IA64).
>
> Personally I've never had any issues running 32-Bit operating systems 
> on either AMD or Intel 64-Bit capable CPUs (although I understand some 
> of the early 64-Bit Pentium 4's might have a few bugs due to Intel 
> cutting corners).
>
> I have had issues on Windows though trying to get 64-Bit codecs.
>
> Speed wise, I haven't noticed a difference between 32-Bit and 64-Bit, 
> if anything 64-Bit Ubuntu was more memory hungry.
>
> Rob
I was referring to a 32 bit OS (ie Windows XP) on a 64 bit CPU based 
system, ie my AMD Athlon II X4 630[1].  Admittedly a lot of that is 
probably that the 32 bit OS won't use the whole 8Gb memory while Windows 
7 will.  The biggest performace hike though will probably come from 
using software configured to use all the cores.

e.g. the Folding@Home client only uses one core unless you download and 
configure the SMP client, which atm is only in beta stage.  Carrera (3D 
renderer) however uses all four cores and tanks the full capability of 
the system - when used in Windows 7 that is.

Julian

[1] Which btw is a damn good chip, has similar performance to some 
Phenom chips in reviews, and costs £90 from Amazon.

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