64 Bit Versus 32 Bit, A Forum For The Differences

[x BlueRobot]

I'm sure there's no actual performance difference between the two operating system architectures, if you ran them both on the same hardware etc.

x64 have better security features like Kernel Patch Protection.

 

[bigmck]

I ended up with 64 bit because I thought that it was the up and coming thing, not really.

To be completely honest I wanted the fastest computer I could afford. It just happened to be 64 bit with 5 gigs of RAM - 4.75 usable, a dual AMD processor at 3.4GHz.

To me it is lightening fast as I moved up from a 10 year old 32 bit XP OS machine with 1 gig of RAM running at 1.8 GHz.

Of course it's nothing compared to some of the systems talked about on these forums. But I'm happy, at least for now.

If you ever want to speed your machine more, get an SSD. They are getting very cheap and the speed difference is amazing.

 

[ThrashZone]

I suppose it depends on what this system is on,
If you don't care about battery consumption get a 64 bit system/ Lappy.
I find very little difference in 32 or 64 bit/ 32 bit processes are primarily used on both/ See developers for why they have not designed solely 64 bit apps.
Disk space is also a consideration.

 

[scr]

I ended up with 64 bit because I thought that it was the up and coming thing, not really.

To be completely honest I wanted the fastest computer I could afford. It just happened to be 64 bit with 5 gigs of RAM - 4.75 usable, a dual AMD processor at 3.4GHz.

To me it is lightening fast as I moved up from a 10 year old 32 bit XP OS machine with 1 gig of RAM running at 1.8 GHz.

Of course it's nothing compared to some of the systems talked about on these forums. But I'm happy, at least for now.

If you ever want to speed your machine more, get an SSD. They are getting very cheap and the speed difference is amazing.

So I hear. I have one as the third item on my wish list. 1st is a larger Power supply and 2nd is better graphics.

I don't think I will be doing any of the above for a while. I finally retired at 68 and I'm watching my funds for a little while to see how things go.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[bawldiggle]

My vote is for x32 Win-7

Earlier this year PC supplier/tech told me all x32 apps will work on x64. Not true.

Several $$$ engineering apps do not work on x64, nor does the significant-other's big-deal-astrology app, like x64.
Metapad x64 is still beta after (I think it is 2 or 3 years). My can't-live-without text reader.
On my daughters new x64 OS Dell Inspiron (8 weeks old), MS Office 2010 boxed as x32/x64, installs itself as x32 ... so much for MS pushing x64.
​

Tech also insisted 14 months ago that he could not get Win7 x32 -- also not true.

Four weeks ago I bought 4 (legit) new OEMs of Win7 x32.
After years of mediocre tech people -- I have decided to be my own tech.
Now I am a regular on "sevenforums.com" ... training wheels and all ... to learn!
​

When it comes to VBA addins -- x64 OS has created major problems. I have about 80 VBA addins I have written over the past 15 years. and because there is an additional numeric data-type (required for x64) I cannot run my x32 addins in x64 apps without some run time errors.
At 68 I do not have the time nor inclination to rewrite all my addins.

Of my PCs ...

• XP-x32 is 2003 custom (never on web) is a dependable workhorse (AutoCad), never a problem.
• XP-x32 Acer Laptop 2007 -- has always been a dog of a machine from day one. Now in mothballs until I load Win7-x32 onto it (Came originally with Vista, on a machine design for XP, later cleaned installed with XP) . Web connection has not helped.
• XP-x32 2008 custom (never on web) 2xHDDs brilliant machine (AutoCad), never a problem.
• Win7-x32 Toshiba laptop 2012, web only, no work related apps, excellent performance. More stable than the Acer, although exposure to the web is starting to "leak" into its slight problems.
• Win7-x64 2013 custom (never on web) 1xSSD + 1x HDD -- lightning fast boot, but no better than x32 in performance. Of course improved hardware does help. Some x32 apps have some problems. Not prepared to spend $25,000 on new software
  To be up/downgraded to Win-7 x32
• Win8-x64 Dell -- OS a nightmare for commercial use. I am learning to downgrade to Win7-x64.
  (x64 because Win7-64 came with Win8-x64). An agonizing process for me and all the helpers on this sevenforums.com

If I played games maybe x64 would be desirable. For now I am happy with x32.
Why fix something that isn't broken!
My work life started in punch-card main frames (I am a dinosaur) and then 256kb Amstrad word processor.
The more bells and whistles that are added to OS'es the more PC grunt is required.
When x64 bit first came out over 10 years ago it was to be the next big thing. It hasn't happened but no doubt like petrol/gas engines x32 will become obsolete. x64 is not a must-have for me.

And for the x64 fan-boys ... your kids will mock you when they are using xZillion bit and you are still in love with your x64 Win-7/Win-8

Life is about balance ... and I have a life outside of gadgets and work.

 

[Norwood]

I know that you are very cool and all of that, but please keep the language clean. This is a family forum.

The terrible graphic language aside, what are you taking a shot at me for?

My point exactly..................

Ok. I'm game.

What point? I made no point on your behalf. I posed a question. A question you failed to answer, such is the way of the coward.

 

[bigmck]

Ok. I'm game.

What point? I made no point on your behalf. I posed a question. A question you failed to answer, such is the way of the coward.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
If you run Virtual Machines then 64 bit is the only realistic option --Virtual machines consume a lot of RAM - with a 32 bit machine under normal circumstances your HOST + GUEST can only together see 4GB RAM -- even though a 32 bit HOST can run a 64 bit guest (under specific conditions and the CPU must be 64 bit capable).

If you want to run a few concurrent VM's 64 bit HOST is the only realistic option.

There's no problem running 32 bit applications though on a 64 bit Host --I am for instance am running 32 bit version of Office 2010.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[tinmar49]

For most uses you don't see much difference, a 64 bit machine can also run most 32 bit software but cannot run old 16 bit. So if old software is useful to you, 32 bit Windows can run 16 bit. I run multiple booting with 8 gb of ram and the 32 bit W7 ultimate only see's 3.25 gb but it runs well. As others have mentioned, using an SSD will more than make up for the smaller amount of usable ram. As for adding ram to a 64 bit machine it seems that 8gb is the sweet spot, extra ram may not speed things up much.

 

[Norwood]

Ok. I'm game.

What point? I made no point on your behalf. I posed a question. A question you failed to answer, such is the way of the coward.

Didn't think so. I was sure pressing a bunch of smilies was all that you had upstairs.

 

[tinmar49]

One of the best low budget upgrades for 32 or 64 bit is one of the Sandisk ReadyCache 32gb drives. Just Google it. I got one from Amazon to use with Win ult 32 in conjunction with a Weston Digital re4 250gb. It works nearly as fast as a large ssd and with any size hdd so you can run a big C partition.

 

[tinmar49]

I thought that since this is a poll that I had better vote. When I voted I got the message that I had already voted, so I unvoted. When I looked at the results so far there was no sign of my vote. I may me getting old but I have no recollection of having ever voted in the first place. I thought that unvoting removed the extra vote, or doe's unvoting remove the original phantom vote.

 

[DreadStarX]

I haven't had much time to read all of the posts, but what I failed to notice is this;

What are you DOING? I used to have 32bit only, and noticed a massive upgrade from 32bit to 64bit when it came down to things. Mind you, this was back in the day when I ran windows xp home edition.

 

[bawldiggle]

tinmar49 +1
Sandisk ReadyCache 32gb drives
A new corner of the universe
Thank you

 

[tinmar49]

I just tried to vote again and got the same reply that I had already voted. Could anyone look to see if my name is on the list of voters?

 

[bigmck]

I just tried to vote again and got the same reply that I had already voted. Could anyone look to see if my name is on the list of voters?

I just voted for the first time. It has the same thing for me. I unvoted and was able to vote again.

 

[tinmar49]

I shall give up trying to vote

 

[tinmar49]

So far 1065 views and only 44 voters and I can't vote, somethings not right.

 

[bigmck]

So far 1065 views and only 44 voters and I can't vote, somethings not right.

Somethings in life just are not right, like you have two English flags on your page and I am guessing you only live in England one time.

 

[tinmar49]

Sorry about the flags I will try to do something about it.