What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit systems?
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009Not long ago, I received a query concerning when the 64-bit systems will replace the 32-bit systems. In fact, many of the systems are 32-bit, so this issue is still too early to say. Need one year or two, maybe not. Microsoft has decided to officially release its 64-bit operating system-Langhorn in April next year. According to some of the latest news, we can see that 64-bit systems may become the mainstream, or 64 and 32-bit systems will dominate the market at the same time.
Therefore, I want to explain some difference between 32 and 64-bit systems in order to give you all some help.
The basic concepts
The 64-bit technology we usually say is compared to 32-bit, and the bit is the GPR’s (General-Purpose Registers) data width which is 64. That is one processor can run 64-bit data. 32-bit processor can only handle 32-bit, which is 4 bytes of data; while the 64-bit processors, one will be able to handle 64-bit, 8 bytes of data.
In a 32-bit computer, the width (or size) of the data is 32-bits. A 64-bit is twice as wide so the system can move twice as much data around. Being able to process more data means a faster system. Normal office productivity and web surfing will show no advantages at all, whereas graphics processing and scientific calculations will go much faster. However, it is also said 64-bit systems is still has some shortcomings which are going to solve.
Different prices
Good thing is that the price of the 32-bit systems has been dropping. Already, prices for desktop systems are running about half of what they were this time last year. Over the next few months, those prices will drop even further. If you need (or want) to buy a new system, this is the time. But the entire 64-bit system has be designed and built for the wider data, so the system will cost more.
Different requirements
Comparison of system requirements
|
System Requirements Setup Component |
Windows XP Professional |
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition |
| Minimum CPU speed | 233 megahertz (MHz) | 733 MHz |
| Recommended CPU speed | 300 Hz | N/A |
| Minimum RAM | 64 MB | 1 GB |
| Recommended minimum RAM | 128 MB | N/A |
| Disk space required for Setup | 1.5 GB free | 1.5 GB free |
Applications that 64-bit systems can be used
Most 32-bit software will run on a 64-bit system, such as:
Office 2003 Professional
Microsoft Front Page 2003
Microsoft One Note
Adobe 7.0 Reader
Crap Cleaner
PCHand Screen Capture
Registry Defragmentation for Windows (version 7.0)
Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional
Password Corral (v4.0)
GMAIL Notifier
Yahoo DSL Browser and Software