A 64-bit CPU isn't necessarily faster (in regards to frequency) than a 32-bit CPU; it is more efficient. It processes the same amount of data in less time b/c it works on bigger chunks of data. Of course this is only the case if a program has been specifically written for 64-bit; a 32-bit program won't run any more efficiently on a 64-bit system.
64-bit CPUs also have more address space for system memory. A 32-bit CPU can address a maximum of around 4 GB of RAM (and this is for any computer, regardless of operating system). Some of that address space is taken up by devices in the computer itself though, so if one installed 4GB of RAM into a 32-bit PC, the computer would only 'see' around 3.5 GB of RAM (though it could still possibly use the 4 GB with the proper configuration). A 64-bit CPU can address up to 16 exabytes (around 17 billion GB :smileysurprised: ) of RAM, so there isn't any worry about running into memory limitations any time soon.
As for program compatibility, most 32-bit programs can run in a 64-bit environment. For example, I upgraded my girlfriend's inspiron 1420 from 32-bit gutsy to 64-bit hardy. The LinDVD software is written only for 32-bit, but after installing the ia32 compatibility libraries, it works flawlessly. This may not be the case with all software however, so if you have any specific applications you want to work with it would be best if you checked out whether there is a 64-bit version available, and if not, whether the 32-bit version will run in the 64-bit OS.
Running a 32-bit OS on a 64-bit machine won't hurt anything, and it will certainly guarantee compatibility with 99.999% of all software programs out there. However you will only be using half of your processor, so if you do a lot of intensive computing like programming/compiling, database work, or you play higher end games, etc, there will be a noticeable lag. You will also hit a barrier with how much RAM you can install and use. I believe the Inspiron 1420s can hold up to 4GB of RAM, but, as I said before, with 32-bit your computer would only see 3.5 GB of that, meaning 512 MB of RAM would be wasted.
From a personal point of view, I've noticed 64-bit Linux computing has improved vastly over the past 7-8 months or so. There are much more 64-bit programs available, there's better 32-bit compatibility, and overall things have gotten much easier. It gets better every day, also. Right now everything is moving towards 64-bit, though we aren't quite there yet. So if you wanted to work with 32-bit for a time and later upgrade, that is certainly a viable option.
Hope this helps. I didn't intend for this to be as long-winded as it was.
After you get settled and feel comfortable with your Ubuntu setup and you find want to use 4 gigs of ram, check out "Kernel Check" at
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=618563.
It is a little confusing and you may have to go through the process a couple times to get it the way you like it but in the end you will have a 32 bit system that will use all 4 gigs of ram. It also makes good office cooler talk, tell you coworkers, "yeah, I compiled a new kernel last night so I could use more than 4 gigs of ram, I had to do it twice though because the first time I turned off the 5.1 sound support by accident.."
I have 4 gigs installed both in my wifes 1420 and my 531 but never actually use that much, I was surprised that more often than not I am using below 2 gigs - I just checked and I am at 708 megs. I did not recompile the wife's as she doesn't use hers as much as mine.
srjs8812
12 Posts
0
April 29th, 2008 13:00
A 64-bit CPU isn't necessarily faster (in regards to frequency) than a 32-bit CPU; it is more efficient. It processes the same amount of data in less time b/c it works on bigger chunks of data. Of course this is only the case if a program has been specifically written for 64-bit; a 32-bit program won't run any more efficiently on a 64-bit system.
64-bit CPUs also have more address space for system memory. A 32-bit CPU can address a maximum of around 4 GB of RAM (and this is for any computer, regardless of operating system). Some of that address space is taken up by devices in the computer itself though, so if one installed 4GB of RAM into a 32-bit PC, the computer would only 'see' around 3.5 GB of RAM (though it could still possibly use the 4 GB with the proper configuration). A 64-bit CPU can address up to 16 exabytes (around 17 billion GB :smileysurprised: ) of RAM, so there isn't any worry about running into memory limitations any time soon.
As for program compatibility, most 32-bit programs can run in a 64-bit environment. For example, I upgraded my girlfriend's inspiron 1420 from 32-bit gutsy to 64-bit hardy. The LinDVD software is written only for 32-bit, but after installing the ia32 compatibility libraries, it works flawlessly. This may not be the case with all software however, so if you have any specific applications you want to work with it would be best if you checked out whether there is a 64-bit version available, and if not, whether the 32-bit version will run in the 64-bit OS.
Running a 32-bit OS on a 64-bit machine won't hurt anything, and it will certainly guarantee compatibility with 99.999% of all software programs out there. However you will only be using half of your processor, so if you do a lot of intensive computing like programming/compiling, database work, or you play higher end games, etc, there will be a noticeable lag. You will also hit a barrier with how much RAM you can install and use. I believe the Inspiron 1420s can hold up to 4GB of RAM, but, as I said before, with 32-bit your computer would only see 3.5 GB of that, meaning 512 MB of RAM would be wasted.
From a personal point of view, I've noticed 64-bit Linux computing has improved vastly over the past 7-8 months or so. There are much more 64-bit programs available, there's better 32-bit compatibility, and overall things have gotten much easier. It gets better every day, also. Right now everything is moving towards 64-bit, though we aren't quite there yet. So if you wanted to work with 32-bit for a time and later upgrade, that is certainly a viable option.
Hope this helps. I didn't intend for this to be as long-winded as it was.
srjs8812
fidelio1st
8 Posts
0
April 29th, 2008 16:00
PaJoe
32 Posts
0
April 30th, 2008 08:00
fidelio1st:
After you get settled and feel comfortable with your Ubuntu setup and you find want to use 4 gigs of ram, check out "Kernel Check" at
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=618563.
It is a little confusing and you may have to go through the process a couple times to get it the way you like it but in the end you will have a 32 bit system that will use all 4 gigs of ram. It also makes good office cooler talk, tell you coworkers, "yeah, I compiled a new kernel last night so I could use more than 4 gigs of ram, I had to do it twice though because the first time I turned off the 5.1 sound support by accident.."
I have 4 gigs installed both in my wifes 1420 and my 531 but never actually use that much, I was surprised that more often than not I am using below 2 gigs - I just checked and I am at 708 megs. I did not recompile the wife's as she doesn't use hers as much as mine.