32 vs. 64 bit?

[ThePlague]

What's the difference between the two? My computer came with 64 bit, but I switched to 32 because at the time it was kind of slow. Now that I upgraded a few things (CPU, GFX card), will going back to 64 bit make anything faster?

My specs are:

Manufacturer: Compaq-Presario
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Hard Drive: 202 GB
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4650
Monitor:
Sound Card: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Speakers/Headphones: Antec Speakers+sub
Keyboard: USB Root Hub
Mouse: USB Root Hub
Mouse Surface: Black
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621)
Motherboard:
Computer Case: Compaq Presario CQ5300F

[Futzy]

Switch to x64 and welcome to the 21st century.
You'll be able to run x64 programs and add more ram.

[Limited]

64 bit refers to the amount of RAM the processor can handle, 64bit can handle larger amounts more effeciently than 32 bit. If you have 64 bit hardware, use it. Your process needs to be 64bit compatible, but as it came with 64 bit, it probably is. You will only see a big difference with large amounts of ram, 4GB is the usual amount.

Not all programs will run as 64 bit though, so it wont make EVERY thing faster. But for example 3ds Max has a 64 bit version.

[Phopojijo]

Very little point either way... enjoy.

You have very little RAM so... yeah.


64 bit refers to the amount of RAM the processor can handle, 64bit can handle larger amounts more effeciently than 32 bit. If you have 64 bit hardware, use it. Your process needs to be 64bit compatible, but as it came with 64 bit, it probably is. You will only see a big difference with large amounts of ram, 4GB is the usual amount.

Not all programs will run as 64 bit though, so it wont make EVERY thing faster. But for example 3ds Max has a 64 bit version.Not just RAM! There's a lot more stuff surrounding the registers as well... but yeah... it's hard to see an example of where it works well -- especially since most people program in non-assembly. Some security stuff too but -- you know, the biggest security upgrade is educating the user.

[ThePlague]

So is it worth it or not?

[Futzy]

If its free, yes.

[Timo]

Only problem with 64-bit is that I can't nostalgia over old games without installing a virtual machine.

[DEElekgolo]

I heard that x32 under a x64 pc is slower than it running under a x32 pc.

[Warsaw]

Probably because there are processes hanging overhead to let it run x86 programs. If you have a decent enough system to take advantage of 64-bit, though, it shouldn't matter.

[Amit]

I heard that x32 under a x64 pc is slower than it running under a x32 pc.

They don't call it x32. 32-Bit is x86.

[PopeAK49]

x86 is 32bit
x64 is 64bit

These refer to the size of the processor data bus. The wider the bus, the more powerful the processor is. As you can tell, a 64bit data bus would give you a better performance compared to a smaller 32bit data base. What would you like more 32bits of information being sent out at a time or 64bits of information. Some advantages I know about 64 bit is that it can hold 128gb of Ram (ridiculous, I know but true) compared to 32bit's 4gb. You can run 32bit applications on a 64bit system (just won't be as fast compared to a 64bit application) but why not just by the damn 64bit application if you built a 64bit system for more speed.

[Phopojijo]

... and x64 should be x86-64... but people didn't like typing it out.

[CrAsHOvErRide]

RAX, driver enforced signing and all that shizz.

Go 64-bit.

[Rook]

Days of 32bit are coming to an end go back to 64bit, you basically downgraded.

[ThePlague]

Yeah, I went 64 bit yesterday. Funny thing happened last night though, my computer went blank for a second, came back up, the screen started getting all messed up (gray lines everywhere), and it BSOD'd.

What the eff?

[Cojafoji]

Did you try a flat out wipe, and install or?


Only problem with 64-bit is that I can't nostalgia over old games without installing a virtual machine.
What's wrong with dosbox? Takes like 30 seconds.

[Warsaw]

See, the real problem arises when you want to play old games that require DX5 or 6...Windows Vista broke backwards compatibility with anything older than DX8/9.

[Jelly]

64-bit takes up more RAM, but can access more than 4GB of RAM. You only have 2GB, so 32-bit is perfect for you, no need to upgrade.

[ThePlague]

64-bit takes up more RAM, but can access more than 4GB of RAM. You only have 2GB, so 32-bit is perfect for you, no need to upgrade.

Yeah, I went 64 bit yesterday.
Also:

Funny thing happened last night though, my computer went blank for a second, came back up, the screen started getting all messed up (gray lines everywhere), and it BSOD'd.

What the eff?

[Jelly]

As coja asked, did you reformat the disk when you installed? Did the BSOD happen immediately after you installed 64-bit or had you installed any drivers/programs beforehand?

[ThePlague]

As coja asked, did you reformat the disk when you installed? Did the BSOD happen immediately after you installed 64-bit or had you installed any drivers/programs beforehand?
It was a new fresh install. And I did install drivers beforehand. I think it's because I have multiple desktop images being scrolled every 3 minutes, because once I switched back it hasn't happened yet.