64 bit or x84

[nithig]

The old desktop is 32 bit
the new laptop is 64 bit
So why is it that I read x84?

 

[mikedl]

I'm not sure I fully understand your question but it appears you are referring to x86 and not x84, correct?

x86 is the name for the basic instruction set architecture of the processor and encompasses 16 bit, 32 bit and 64 bit systems.

 

[Tews]

While your new laptop may be 64bit capable, it sounds like you have the 32bit version of Windows installed...

 

[nithig]

Thanks Miked ... you did understand the question
It's just me (and no doubt lots of others like me) who are slow with
the jargon. It's just a fact of modern, electronic life that new things
are rarely explained ...one has to find out for oneself.
Now there's one more bit that I do understand.

No Tews, Win 7 is istalled as 64-bit

 

[Keiichi25]

x86 refers also mostly to the PC 80x86 processor based stuff, which includes 8 bit, 16 bit and 32 bit processing. Basically, the PC started as a 8086 Processor, and then became the 80286, 80386, 80486, then morphed into Pentium (80586) processor name. Since around Pentium 4 or so, the PC processor started being able to do 64 bit processing (Well, more so when the Xeon and then Itanium class Processor was brought in). When the 64-bit processors started coming, the need for 64 bit operating systems for this class of processor was necessary for Windows to take actual advantage of the hardware and also the new boundaries it can branch out to.

Remember, we did have 'transitional' bounds with certain OSes. Like With Win95/98, we had drive space boundaries and it was mostly flipping from different drive formating (Like FAT32 to NTFS) and the ever growing ability of memory. 32 bit bit processing had a limitation with memory addressing which 64 bit processing now exceeds.

Microsoft still had to support prior processing needs, namely the 32 and 16 bit programs, but also wanted to separate out the 64 bit programs from installing over the 32 bit processing needs, hence the (x86) designation in the installers when they look at 64 bit Windows OS.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I wouldn't call it new jargon. Microsoft has been using the x86 and x64 terms for quite some time now, probably close to a decade. The problem is, two many people insist on typing out 32 bit or 64 bit, instead of sticking with the standard, simpler terms.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello nithig, welcome to Seven Forums!



Have a look at the article at the link below, it explains a lot.

64-bit: More than just the RAM

 

[alphanumeric]

I believe the x86 came from the fact that Intel numbered thier line of processors 8086, 80186, 80286, 386, 486, 586 (pentium) etc, so it ended up being referred to as the x86 instruction set. The early chips are 16 bit and the 386 and up are 32 bit. At some point people just dropped the 80 and would say I have a 386 or 486 etc.

 

[Lemur]

You have a 64-bit processor running a 32-bit operating system. No harm. You always can purchase a 64-bit operating system later on. Note - you cannot upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit operating system. It has to be a new full install.

 

[Keiichi25]

You have a 64-bit processor running a 32-bit operating system. No harm. You always can purchase a 64-bit operating system later on. Note - you cannot upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit operating system. It has to be a new full install.

This reminds me of the following joke:

Windows 95: n. 32 bit extensions and a graphical shell for a 16 bit patch to an 8 bit operating system originally coded for a 4 bit microprocessor, written by a 2 bit company, that can't stand 1 bit of competition.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Someone mentioned the correct way it should be written ...




x86-(32-bit)
x86-(64-bit)



There's actually no such thing as x64 though even MS refers to/writes it incorrectly.

 

[Lemur]

I don't remember the 80186, but do remember the 286, 386, 486. Then we changed to Pentium because hey, that mean five. LOL. I would have preferred 586. Now we have Nano, Atom and Sandy Bridge. Too bad!

X86-64 is a good term for 64-bit architecture. But the industry I guess prefers X64. What's in a name... and a number? Other than accuracy...

 

[DeaconFrost]

x86-(32-bit)
x86-(64-bit)

There's actually no such thing as x64 though even MS refers to/writes it incorrectly.

You are correct, but the x64 naming convention was created by Microsoft as a shorter, simple way of differentiating between the two. IA64 isn't really all that common anymore (dying a slow death, it seems) and was never known or common the general, non IT audience.

 

[alphanumeric]

You have a 64-bit processor running a 32-bit operating system. No harm. You always can purchase a 64-bit operating system later on. Note - you cannot upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit operating system. It has to be a new full install.

If its windows 7 you can use the same product code to install the 32 bit or 64 bit version, so all you need to switch is the install media. If you buy retail you get both DVDs. If you go OEM you only get one, 32 bit or 64 bit. You can still switch from 32 to 64 or vice versa you just need to hunt up the other DVD some where. Assuming you have a 64 bit processor.

 

[derekimo]

Thanks Miked ... you did understand the question
It's just me (and no doubt lots of others like me) who are slow with
the jargon. It's just a fact of modern, electronic life that new things
are rarely explained ...one has to find out for oneself.
Now there's one more bit that I do understand.

No Tews, Win 7 is istalled as 64-bit

I think it's 64 bit guys.

 

[bobtran]

You have a 64-bit processor running a 32-bit operating system. No harm. You always can purchase a 64-bit operating system later on. Note - you cannot upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit operating system. It has to be a new full install.

If its windows 7 you can use the same product code to install the 32 bit or 64 bit version, so all you need to switch is the install media. If you buy retail you get both DVDs. If you go OEM you only get one, 32 bit or 64 bit. You can still switch from 32 to 64 or vice versa you just need to hunt up the other DVD some where. Assuming you have a 64 bit processor.

You also get both disks x86/x64(x86-64) easier to type x64, a lazy typist I am - Care I do not.

 

[nithig]

It has to be a new full install.

It was a total,new install and 64 bit ws selected.
Programs like IE have x64 and the updates are x64
so I guess it's a 64 bit system
___________________

Thanks barefootkid for the tutorial - really enjoying the tutorial herein.

Also thanks to Keiichi25 and Deacon Frost 7 alphanumeric ...
DF you are clearly a technical minded person so I kindly point out to you
that to us bogons it is jargon and it is rarely explained untill we ask and
get help from friends as has happened in this case.

 

[derekimo]

It has to be a new full install.

It was a total,new install and 64 bit ws selected.
Programs like IE have x64 and the updates are x64
so I guess it's a 64 bit system
___________________

Thanks barefootkid for the tutorial - really enjoying the tutorial herein.

Also thanks to Keiichi25 and Deacon Frost 7 alphanumeric ...
DF you are clearly a technical minded person so I kindly point out to you
that to us bogons it is jargon and it is rarely explained untill we ask and
get help from friends as has happened in this case.

Best way to find out is to ask, now you know.

 

[smarteyeball]

It has to be a new full install.

It was a total,new install and 64 bit ws selected.
Programs like IE have x64 and the updates are x64
so I guess it's a 64 bit system
___________________

There are two very quick and simple ways to determine if you have either x86 (32) or x64 installed:

A) WIN+Pause/Break to open the system properties.

If the system type: shows 64-bit Operating System - you have x64 installed. If it shows 32-bit Operating system - you have x86 (32) installed.

x86 (32-bit)

x64


B) If you have a C:\Program Files (x86) folder, you have x64 installed.

If you don't have that folder, you only have the 32-bit version installed.

 

[rvbfan]

I believe the x86 came from the fact that Intel numbered thier line of processors 8086, 80186, 80286, 386, 486, 586 (pentium) etc, so it ended up being referred to as the x86 instruction set. The early chips are 16 bit and the 386 and up are 32 bit. At some point people just dropped the 80 and would say I have a 386 or 486 etc.

Bingo you get a cookie! :drool: Mmmm Cookie arrrggammdihfg.
It was more than a numbering system though. The term x86 refers to a family of instruction sets.