What does 64bit do compared to 32bit?

[Rudyard]

I understand that 64bit is twice as much bits as 32 but what does that actually mean and what is its purpose?

What does 64bit windows (or other programs such as 3ds MAX) do that the 32bit equivalent doesnt?

And do you need special hardware to run it or just modern fast hardware?

[ssj2_goha]

in pure technical terms it means a 64 bit cpu can address 2^64 memory locations (be it hard drive or ram) 32 bit cpu's can address 2^32 memory locations. that being said it also means that a 64 bit can read 64 bits at one time as apposed to 32 bits at 1 time. yes that does a 64 bit cpu can process data twice as fast but only for programs written to run on 64 bit cpu.

on a side note
2^32 = 4294967296
2^64 = 18446744073709551616

[Rudyard]

So what CPUs are 64bit? Are they common like my dual core 3hgz intel, can i buy a 64bit version at the local shops or are they more for high peformance business or something?

[redwudz]

64bit CPUs are very common. Quite a few CPUs are 64bit at present. However, the software has not caught up with the the platform, IMO. I have XP64 and there are not that many programs that take advantage of the 64bit CPUs.

A partial list: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=330290

The 'rumor' has always been that when Vista comes out, 64bit CPUs will come into their own. But so far, I haven't seen it.

I'm sure it will improve. But for present, I run all my 64bit CPUs in 32bit mode. Only my XP 64 computer runs XP 64 and most of the common programs I use are still 32bit.

It's rather a dissapointment at present. I just got Vista 32 and I have no interest in Vista 64. Apparently MS hasn't made much headway with promoting 64bit CPUs.

[nwo]

What does 64bit do compared to 32bit?

Cost more!

[ssj2_goha]

the only os i know of that can fully use 64 bit are the *nix os's and those based on them (OSX, linux)

yes the chips cost more but if you have an OS that can use them it's worth it if you need the power, be it for editing, rendering, or the like. if your just gaming or just an internet user stay with 32 bit.

to truly compare what the "true" difference is think nes(8 bit) to SNES(16 bit), twice the bits twice the power.

[JohnnyMalaria]

the only os i know of that can fully use 64 bit are the *nix os's and those based on them (OSX, linux)

Huh????? Can you explain since it sounds like you are saying that 64-bit versions of Windows don't fully use 64-bit processors.....

[ssj2_goha]

i said "that i know of" i've always said i don't know much about windows xp and vista......... i've never tested the 64 bit versions. But from what i've read there is still alot of "legacy" code (32 bit) in the 64 bit versions. but like i said i'm not really sure about that.

[JohnnyMalaria]

The legacy 32-bit code is provided to support 32-bit applications. i.e., permit 32-bit apps to run natively without "thunking" (which was required for running 16-bit code on 32-bit Windows).

Native 64-bit applications use 64-bit OS components (at least, that's my understanding!)

[rkgibbons]

Yes, Windows XP x64 and Vista 64-bit editions are both fully 64-bit operating systems. They do retain 32-bit "legacy" code to allow compatibility with older non-64bit software -- but that doesn't interfere with the 64-bit operations.

The big problem, as mentioned, is that specific drivers need to be written for the 64bit platform.

That's the MASSIVE advantage that Apple has with their 64bit OS. Apple is the ONLY company building and selling MAC computers -- so they can easily ensure that 64bit drivers are available (and work) for the components in their systems.

Any given PC could be built using hardware from thousands of different manufacturers, with very little by means of coordination between them. Hence all the driver compatibility issues on the Windows side of the equation.

When it's all working, Windows 64-bit is a terrific, high-performance platform -- but it can be a very bumpy ride trying to get everything to work (especially in the early days of Vista).

[ssj2_goha]

yes drivers are a problem....... You know something I allways thought when it came to drivers for computers, With everything else in a computer standardized (IDE,SATA,PCI,PCI-X,AGP,ect..) why is it that the major hardware companies can't make "standard" drivers for hardware. I remember when sound cards were almost all standardized to soundblaster drivers. I mean why can't we have three video card types ( INTEl, ATI, NVIDA) and the driver would work for each video card of that type. It doesn't mean the cards have to be made by them but they have to be able to work properly with that driver. I mean it would help windows as well as all other OS's out there right? but i just don't see it happening. Well thats my 2 cents.

[rkgibbons]

New hardware is always changing (adding new features, using different technology, etc) -- so the drivers need to be constantly updated to accomodate those new changes.

If every manufacturer had to make their hardware work with a generic driver, it would severely inhibit advances in hardware technology.

[JerryB]

hi,
this my view...
1. what does it mean... faster!!! you can put in more information into a 64 bit than you can 32 bit.... since the computer only has run one 64 instruction instead of two 32 bit... it fasters.. smile...
a example was when your game stations .. years ago they were only 32 bit and the games were chopy and slow but when they went up to 64 bit games were a lot faster!! and more fun...

2. however to take advantage of 64 bit... your cpu chip must be 64 bit, your windows must be 64 bit and your program must be 64 bit...!! if you run a 32 bit program on a 64 bit system your likely not to notice any difference if that same program was run on a 32 bit system!!

3. special hardware.. well you must need a 64 bit chip and graphics cards that can take advanatge of it.....

4. problems... although finally M$ came out with a 64 bit windows version.... however... there not too many programs that are being written in 64 bit... so here you have 64 bit chip with windows vista 64 but very few programs that written 64 bit... I imagine it will be a whiles before we start seeing significant number of program written.. I expect where we might see it first is really with the games.... I can just imagine how fast and realistic and fun the 64 bit games can be on a pc! ...

I understand that 64bit is twice as much bits as 32 but what does that actually mean and what is its purpose?

What does 64bit windows (or other programs such as 3ds MAX) do that the 32bit equivalent doesnt?

And do you need special hardware to run it or just modern fast hardware?

I understand that 64bit is twice as much bits as 32 but what does that actually mean and what is its purpose?

What does 64bit windows (or other programs such as 3ds MAX) do that the 32bit equivalent doesnt?

And do you need special hardware to run it or just modern fast hardware?

[ssj2_goha]

a example was when your game stations .. years ago they were only 32 bit and the games were chopy and slow but when they went up to 64 bit games were a lot faster!! and more fun...

Better graphics don't make funner games........ I can name alot of NES (and atari) games that are better than most games made now days.

[akrako1]

I run XP x64 SP2. I haven't had any problem finding 64-bit drivers for my hardware. All recent hardware tends to ship with 64-bit drivers included (video cards, mobo's that support 64-bit chips). It is true that you'll need 64-bit drivers, Virus protection, and defragging - but all of those are available. I was able to find 'experimental' or 'beta' drivers for even my old M-Audio audio gear, as well as for all my printers. I was kinda surprised that Microsoft put out a SP2 for XP x64 recently. I've only been running on it for a few weeks, but it seems more stable then SP1.

I'm running the 64-bit upgrade to Far Cry and it runs sweet as hell.. I've only got a 2Ghz, single core AMD64 3200+, but running true 64-bit apps screams. The 64-bit demo for Dreadnaught is quite impressive. Simply running the x64 version of Firefox (code name Bon Echo) provides a boost in performance (opening tabs, and other memory intensive tasks). Plug-ins can be a pain, but that's why I still run x32 Firefox..

Unfortunately, most of our video apps don't run in 64-bit (except VirtualDub - but without x64 codecs, it's kinda pointless). If someone could put out a true 64-bit video encoder, I'd maybe have to actually pay for some software...

[JerryB]

hhi,
I never said anything about the graphics being funnier... all i said was the 64 bit games were faster and more enjoyable and fun.... than the same game on a 32 bit ... I used run this one 32 bit game on a old windows 3.1 system... and it was no fun at all but win95 came out and the same game was a lot more fun.... and enjoyable..

a example was when your game stations .. years ago they were only 32 bit and the games were chopy and slow but when they went up to 64 bit games were a lot faster!! and more fun...

Better graphics don't make funner games........ I can name alot of NES (and atari) games that are better than most games made now days.

[ssj2_goha]

sorry i mis-read what you said. I guess I have heard too many people say better graphics = better games..... it's a side effect of working where i work i Guess i deal with teenagers all day and that is what they swear by bigger numbers = better. Sorry again.

[akrako1]

running a 64-bit game on a x64 machine vs. a 32-bit version means I can turn up the detail, resolution, anti-aliasing, etc and not have as many dropped frames as with the 32-bit version.

[JerryB]

hi,
no problem... i can understand I done that more once.. smile... miss reading a word or just view a post completly different.... and I agree with you better graphics don't make a better game.....

sorry i mis-read what you said. I guess I have heard too many people say better graphics = better games..... it's a side effect of working where i work i Guess i deal with teenagers all day and that is what they swear by bigger numbers = better. Sorry again.

[RabidDog]

64bit vs 32 bit is def not twice as fast, it just means the internal registers and addressing is twice as wide . 32 bit XP can only handle 4gb of memory, thats down to memory adressing. 4gb is fine for you or me but sarvars (posh servers) need oodles of memory for their databases. On some things 64bit addressing can mean a big dif but on other progs virtually nothing. memory addressing is normally double the width of your registers 64bit=128bit
Dont wiki me on this tho, I'm a bit hazy on details[/color]