Choosing 32Bit vs 64Bit – Please Read before asking.

[DetlevCM]

32Bit vs. 64Bit - A little guide

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The following has been compiled on information accumulated over the time here on Notebookreview and additional reading.
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A thanks to all who contributed information here and there.
With time, this will possibly be refined more an more.

More and more often the question, 32 or 64Bit crops up on this forum.

What is important is, that in the end no member on this forum can make that decision for you.
Whenever you see a comment like “take that and get over with it” –it’ll do little to help.

This post which will grow with time is supposed to give some basic guidiance on which version you should choose.

Scroll down for the following:
a)OS - 32Bit/64Bit - what's the difference
b)Software
c)Harware & Drivers
d)How to get it & Links on 64Bit "stuff"

OS What’s the difference:

What’s the difference – for the “normal user” absolutely none.
For your standard word editing and maybe the odd picture & film here and there it will make no difference at all whether you run 32 or 64Bit.
In fact – the best recommendation for a “normal user” is “get what your manufacturer supplies”.

But what about the users who want to know more:
A 32Bit OS can address 2^32 Bytes of address space, a 64Bit OS can address 2^64 Bytes of address space (theoretically).

2^32 Bytes are exactly 4GB – but these include hardware aside from RAM – therefore a 32Bit OS cannot (normally) address 4GB of RAM – generally about 3-3,5GB of address space remain for RAM and are used to address RAM – meaning you can use about 3-3,5GB.
However, if you have a 32Bit OS with 4GB of RAM – the “unused RAM” (the space not addressed by the OS) can be used by the graphics card – one example is 3GB of RAM for the OS and 1GB of RAM for an integrated graphics card.

A 64Bit OS can theoretically address 2^64 Bytes of address space, but not at the moment, due to hardware limitations and limitations in the actual code in the OS.

What is this in layman’s terms:
Up to 4GB of RAM 32Bit
4GB or more of RAM 64Bit.

Regarding performance, some people have noticed increases in performance on a 64Bit OS, other’s haven’t.

What is the recommendation:
(Read on)
Based purely on the OS, with up to 4GB of physical RAM it is debateable if it is useful to install a 64Bit OS without the actual “need” for it.
A 64Bit OS only offers a real advantage from 4GB of physical RAM onwards, whether you need this is debateable, excluding certain specialist applications and servers.

The actual installation:
(Thanks Wishmaker & permka & coolguy)

The actual 64Bit installation of Windows will take up more space than a 32Bit installtion.
What do you get from the "lost space"?
The 64Bit installation will have 32 & 64Bit drivers as well as two installation directories - one for 32Bit applications and one for 64Bit applications.
During the installation process the software will "decide" in which directory to instal.

A specific example from a fellow forum member (Wishmaker):
1. C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4
2. C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4 (64 Bit)

This may cause an issue on "smaller drives" - specifically SSD at the moment, as "empty space" will fill up quicker.

How to instal a x64 OS on an x86 system or vice versa:
To change from 32Bit to 64Bit or vice versa one has to format the drive and instal the OS from scratch.
One cannot "update" an existing system - like say from Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate.


Software:
Generally software that is 32Bit will run on 64Bit too – generally.
Some specialist 32Bit software will not run under a 64Bit OS.
16Bit applications will not run under a 64Bit OS.

In a true 64Bit environment - e.g. Itanium-64 (thank you Hep!)
32Bit applications have to be translated into 64Bit.
Vista being a hybrid with 32Bit libraries even though it is a 64Bit OS – won't be too affected by this.
Still, while some people experienced performance increases, others have noticed no change.

Top fully utilize the advantages of a 64Bit OS you need software that is truly 64Bit – one example for this is Adobe’s Photoshop CS suite which is available in 64Bit to take full advantage of the additional computing power available.

It is advisable to do some research into applications one plans to run on a potential 64Bit OS to find out whether any complications may arise.

Update (5thNov2009):
As Windows 7 will now mainly be sold as a 64Bit OS, it is safe to assume that all new applications will support 64Bit – however, some developers may be lazy and chose to run them as 32Bit applications under a 64Bit OS as this is still possible.
If you have any “obscure” specialized application it may be worthwhile to research it to ensure it is fully compatible.
End Update.

Software that is available as 64Bit:
Antivirus – more and more is available

Adobe – definitely Photoshop CS suite, don’ know about others
From fellow forum member Wishmaker:
1. C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4
2. C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4 (64 Bit)

Office 2007 will run under 64Bit too even if its 32Bit software according to users here on NBR.

The following software is available as 64Bit according to follow NBR users:
(source: Which popular programs have 64bit versions? )

Internet Explorer
7-Zip (like you mentioned)
Fraps
K-Lite Codec Pack
Mozilla Minefield (64-bit version of Firefox)
Norton 360 (installs into Program Files x86, but has the ability to use 64-bit engine)
iTunes
O&O Defrag
Vista Codec Package
Alcohol 120%
MagicDisc
comodo firewall
autocad x64
3d max x64

Hardware & Drivers:
One of the key downfalls of a 64Bit OS in its infant days was drivers – nowadays 64Bit drivers have become well supported from the hardware manufacturer’s side.
Most computer owners will be able to find 64Bit drivers for their hardware – but please check before you start to install your new OS.

Update (6th Nov 09):
Since Windows 7 the move is towards 64Bit applications one can expect driver support for 64Bit for all newer periphal devices. Business tools like the BlackBerry will most likely see 64Bit support for older phones too if/when companies move to 64Bit – consumer products may be dropped.
End Update.


Another "hardware aspect" is periphal devices - many devices like mobile phones, scanners etc. do not ship with 64Bit drivers - and sometimes the manufacturer will not provide them.
This will be a problem if devices are not natively supported by Vista - for example, a computer mouse - any mouse will work as a basic mouse wen plugged into Vista - some may need addtional "software support" for extra buttons (anything apart from let & right mouse button and scrol-wheel) - this software may then not be available in 64Bit.

A short list of examples of such devices from a fellow member:
cellphones
printers
scanners
digicams
obscure soundcards for djing
midi-to-usb adapters
ide/sata-to-usb adapters
video-cameras
external disks

(Please note, this doesn't display all pieces of hardware, and while one company's video camera may work another may not)
(thanks davepermen)

Also:
Some manufacturers are worse than others, what does this mean.
Take Sony – a company whose products I adore – getting a 64Bit OS to run is easy on a Vaio, getting all the “stuff” to run like Fn keys is difficult, what happened.
Sony in this case decided to use specialist drivers and libraries to unlock their laptops full potential, these are only available in 32Bit (Yes, the FW has been sold with 64Bit and then the appropriate 64Bit support, but drivers are locked to specific models) – Sony will not help you with a 64Bit OS and while it can be done (see the Vaio forum) it generally won’t be worth the trouble.

Laptops that do not need “specialist drivers” (like my old Medion) will be the easiest to “upgrade”, as all you need to do is download the drivers from the manufacturer’s site, once you have all you are ready to go.

In the long run 64Bit will replace 32Bit – when 32Bit will have been replaced fully is unknown – it will still be available on Windows 7.

According to laststop311 Win7 will be the last version of Windows which is32Bit - leaving vitualisation for 16Bit support - from a technical standpoint this would make sense - however, I have not got a source for this information.


Also, 32Bit drivers continue to exist on a 64Bit installation as drivers on a 64Bit OS are 32 & 64Bit at the same time.
(thanks davepermen)

Hardware:
Most new Hardware will support 64Bit - if you have a laptop runnin a Core 2 Duo Processor (that is the Centrino 1 & 2 Platform) your laptop should technically support a 64Bit OS.
Certain models of the Intel Atom will also be able to use a 64Bit OS - however not all - and the most common Atom processor won't be able to use a 64Bit OS.(thanks Drummer101 & Hep!)

The key aspect is though, it is the architecture which determines whther a system can run a 64Bit OS or not.

How to get it:
Contact your manufacturer or Microsoft to obtain a disc with the 64Bit version of your OS – the 32Bit key will work with it.
It seems that your computer manufacturer is the primary supplier of 64 Bit software.

Links with great information:
Please contribute – I will have a look at them, and will possibly give them a rough classification into “layman terms” vs. “very technical”.

1) Very comprehensive site on 64Bit OSes:
http://www.start64.com/index.php?opt...tpage&Itemid=1

2) Another big 64 Bit information source:
http://www.64xsoft.com/

3) Explanation of 64Bit:
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/10...just_the_ram/1

4) On memory on a 32Bit system:
http://www.geoffchappell.com/viewer....nse/memory.htm

[DetlevCM]

One Space reserved in case I need to shift stuff – do post informative comments, links.
Thank you to all who have helped – this guide will need much more information – and I shall continue to work on it depending on my time “allowances” and mood as well a bit, this shall be a start.

[Hep!]

Very good post and info, but would look a lot better as one large post like the other stickies.

[Clutch]

32bit sees ~3.5GB ram, I am not sure what the max is.

Most current cpus can run 64bit, even single core. Even the atom can run a 64 bit OS (not sure why you would want to), but it has nothing to do with the number of cores but only with the architecture.

I dont know much about 32bit emulators but a little more elaboration about that would be nice.



Over all a very good over view, this should clear up a lot of confusion.

[DetlevCM]

Originally Posted by Hep!

Very good post and info, but would look a lot better as one large post like the other stickies.

Hmm... I thought this would be easier to maintain - I also need to format it properly.

Originally Posted by Drummer101

32bit sees ~3.5GB ram, I am not sure what the max is.

Most current cpus can run 64bit, even single core. Even the atom can run a 64 bit OS (not sure why you would want to), but it has nothing to do with the number of cores but only with the architecture.

I dont know much about 32bit emulators but a little more elaboration about that would be nice.

Over all a very good over view, this should clear up a lot of confusion.

Thanks - here openly
I also have a site I have to have a good luck at - a recommended link.

[Silas Awaketh]

Originally Posted by DetlevCM

Software that is available as 64Bit:
Antivirus – more and more

I haven't tried this one, M&M. How is it?

[Hep!]

Originally Posted by Drummer101

32bit sees ~3.5GB ram, I am not sure what the max is.

32 bit has exactly 4GB of address space. First that space goes to other hardware, and once all of it is addressed, the remaining goes to RAM. This can range from 2 to 3.5 GB depending on computer hardware.

Originally Posted by Drummer101

Most current cpus can run 64bit, even single core. Even the atom can run a 64 bit OS (not sure why you would want to), but it has nothing to do with the number of cores but only with the architecture.

Most atoms are not 64 bit, just the flavors put in nettops do at this time. Not the 270, which is in almost all netbooks.

[permka]

Originally Posted by DetlevCM

Office 2007 will run under 64Bit too even if its 32Bit software according to users here on NBR.

Office works fine.
Vista x64 has two Program Files folders.
One for 64 bit programs and one for 32 bit. Vista automatically selects where to install each program.

Until now everything I have installed has gone in the 32 bit folder and everything works fine. Until now!

[coolguy]

Originally Posted by permka

Office works fine.
Vista x64 has two Program Files folders.
One for 64 bit programs and one for 32 bit. Vista automatically selects where to install each program.

Until now everything I have installed has gone in the 32 bit folder and everything works fine. Until now!

Some programs appear to be installed under the Program files X86, but will have working 64 bit drivers. All offfice programs are native 32 bit.

[Wishmaker]

Detlev, nice guide but I don't agree on some points .


Oh and...CS4 Master installs two versions of Photoshop under a 64 bit enviroment.

1. C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4
2. C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4 (64 Bit)