[Novalug] 64bit vs 32bit

James Ewing Cottrell 3rd JECottrell3@Comcast.NET
Sun Apr 13 14:28:29 EDT 2008


I have six computers in my home. One is a 64 bit, and I think my 
daughter's may be too.

Any computer I buy from now on will be 64 bit.

But unless you are running processes that need large address spaces 
(some gene mapping applications really NEED 64 bit virtual address 
spaces, I don't really see the need. I did download and install a few 64 
bit Linuxi, but for simplicity I will probably just run 32 distros 
unless I want to mirror the 64 bit environment I have at work.

At some point 64 bits will be more common than not and I will use 64 
bits whenever I can, but for now, the complexity (there are both 32 bit 
and 64 libraries) isn't worth it other than getting experience in the 64 
bit environment.

To give you an example, some of the plugins for FireFox only work in 32 
bit mode. The solution is to remove the 64 bit version and install the 
32 bit version. Other applications may also need to be downgraded in 
this way.

In other words, I'll do what is easiest.

JIM

Ivan wrote:
> Ivan Makfinsky wrote:
>> novalug-request@calypso.tux.org wrote:
>>> Message: 1
>>> Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:03:28 -0400
>>> From: William Warren <hescominsoon@emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Novalug] 64bit vs 32bit (was FOSE wrapup)
>>> To: novalug@calypso.tux.org
>>> Message-ID: <47F65150.7010208@emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>>>
>>> That's not a 64-bit issue..that's a VT issue which is different from 
>>> 64 bit.
>>>
>>> Richard Rognlie wrote:
>>>  
>>>> On Fri, Apr 04, 2008 at 09:24:24AM -0400, Pete Nuwayser wrote:
>>>>   
>>>>> I agree with Greg:  a 64-bit OS will not run on 32-bit architecture,
>>>>> but 32-bit OS will run on 64-bit architecture.
>>>>>       
>>>> And to further complicate matters, there are times when a 64bit CPU 
>>>> can
>>>> not accept a 64bit OS.
>>>>
>>>> I ran into this with VMware. Dell 1850 server.   64bit CPU.  64bit 
>>>> OS on the box.
>>>>
>>>> But I am unable to install a 64bit "guest" OS on the box due to the
>>>> CPU lacking the "VT" (virtualization technology) flag.
>>>>
>>>> Had to get a 1950 to get the CPU upgrade...
>>>>
>>>>     
>>>
>>>  
> In order to determine whether or not you can run a 64bit OS on a 
> certain CPU, look for the following:
>
> $ cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep flags
> flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge 
> mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 syscall nx mmxext 
> ~~~~lm~~~~~ 3dnowext 3dnow rep_good
> flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge 
> mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 syscall nx mmxext 
> ~~~~lm~~~~~ 3dnowext 3dnow rep_good
>
> "lm" - Long mode, indicates the CPU is 64 bit capable.
>
> - Ivan
>
>
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