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sen_almighty
Can someoe explain what 32bit and 64bit mean when you're talkin bout comp applications or processers or what not.
Originally posted by sen_almighty
yes, i know that, but 32bit OS's and software, and 64bit, like the Operton is 64bit and the P4 is 32bit and stuff, wat does that mean?
Originally posted by BoulderHead
Hello sen_almighty,
Generally these terms are applied to the processors, and they are speaking of how many individual bits the CPU can perform functions on in one clock cycle. The 64-bit processor can operate on twice as many bits as its 32-bit little brother. There are other considerations such as software having been written to transfer a certain number of bits each clock cycle, and this means the jump to 64-bits will necessitate some software revision.
Originally posted by russ_watters
Some clarifications:
A byte is 8 bits. Sometimes a 9th bit is added for error correction (a checksum) but it isn't part of the byte.
The Opteron is AMD's 64 bit processor (the Itanium is Intel's 64 bit processor).
Nothing in a computer is instantaneous. If a data path is 64 bits, all 64 bits get to their destination at the same time, but it still takes time for them to get there.
In order to use a 64 bit processor, you need a 64 bit operating system (the Opteron actually does BOTH 32 bit and 64 bit). Microsoft is currently working on several flavors of 64 bit OSs.
The benefit of 64 bit is basically just allowing you to use larger numbers. Sometimes it makes applications faster, sometimes it doesn't.
For video cards, 64 bit vs 32 bit is talking about memory bandwidth. Its the same basic idea - information is transferred in groups of 32 or 64 (or 16 or 128) bits but the graphics processors are all still 32 bits. Memory bandwidth is EXTREMELY important for 3d rendering which is why you hear it advertised.
Tey here;Originally posted by LogicalAtheist
I want to know more about these 64 bit OS's
Anyone got some links? with pics? thanks!
Originally posted by damgo
Yes, it's the size of the data path -- mainly this is important for memory addressing, but arithmetic too. A 32-bit processor/program can only easily access 4 gigabytes of memory, and a 16-bit one only 64 megabytes; anything more and it slows way down. A 64-bit one can access ~16,000,000,000 gigabytes. These also give the largest numbers the program/processor can operate on at once.
Originally posted by Artman
The CPU can handle longer files names, as in the change from Win 3.1 to Win95 allowed longer file names.
The main difference between 32-bit and 64-bit processors is the number of bits they can process at once. A 32-bit processor can handle 32 bits of data at a time, while a 64-bit processor can handle 64 bits of data at a time. This means that a 64-bit processor can handle larger and more complex calculations compared to a 32-bit processor.
Some applications are designed to take advantage of the capabilities of a specific processor type. For example, a 64-bit application may require a 64-bit processor in order to access more memory and perform more complex tasks. Similarly, a 32-bit application may only be compatible with a 32-bit processor.
Yes, most 64-bit processors are designed to be backwards compatible with 32-bit applications. However, a 64-bit application cannot run on a 32-bit processor.
The choice of processor can greatly impact the performance of an application. Generally, a 64-bit processor will be able to handle more data and perform more complex calculations, resulting in better performance for applications that require a lot of processing power. However, for simple tasks, the difference in performance between a 32-bit and 64-bit processor may not be significant.
The main benefit of using a 64-bit processor is the ability to access and use more memory. This is especially useful for applications that require a lot of memory such as video editing or gaming. Additionally, a 64-bit processor can handle more complex calculations, making it better suited for tasks that require a lot of processing power.