32-bit or 64-bit? Linux...

[Luffypsp]

Ok I am currently downloading the new ubuntu 9.10, both version of architecture btw.

I am always used to use the 32-bit version to dual boot it with my windows but i wanna know what is the difference if i use the 64-bit one? is there any issue?

My laptop can run 64-bit and i am using windows 7 64-bit all the time. i know that there is less problems with x64 windows but how bout linux?

I am using an Intel Core 2 Duo btw, and the 64-bit version says amdx64, so can i install it?

[123456]

Yeah, actually, install the 64-bit version.

[Paul Komski]

i know that there is less problems with x64 windows but how bout linux?

What do you mean by less problems?

64 bit OSes - at this point in time - have little extra going for them unless you need to install and utilise more than 4GB RAM. For a while some driver support was sketchy but should be OK nowadays.

[Luffypsp]

well you see nowadays drivers support and softwares are bade by devs and also constantly updated. so less problems in the point of view.

ok i have 4GB pf ram. so should i get x64 instead of 32-bit?

[jlreich]

Though there are few 64bit programs but I always figure if nothing else the OS is getting the benefit of 64bit processing. And of course support for more ram.

I run Vista HP64 and Ubuntu 64bit (main OS) and don't have any issues other than a few games that don't like 64bit.

Unless you have a specific need for a particular 32bit only program and have no other way to run it I always recommend 64bit these days.

[Luffypsp]

oh btw before i decide on it, is there any good download accelerator for linux? i mean that support x64? if there is i'm ging for x64. if not then x86 for me.

[Paul Komski]

http://www.w7forums.com/windows-7-64...-bit-t484.html

The conclusion? Well, it depends on what you use your system for. If you have a 64 bit capable CPU but use older hardware, it would be safe to stay with a 32 bit version for the time being to ensure that you don’t need extra upgrades.

If you’ve got the latest hardware and drivers are available, then it would be worth while taking the step up to a 64 bit OS. If you regularly work with resource hungry applications that are 64 bit optimised (such as video editing, CAD and image packages) then it would be especially beneficial to be able to work with over 4GB of RAM amongst the other improvements.

In the not too distant future, 64 bit computing will be a common standard – as all hardware from the last couple of years has been designed with this in mind. Until a complete upgrade cycle has passed for the majority of users, there is still a strong case for some users to stick with 32 bit Windows for the time being. Once more 64 bit applications start to appear, it would be a good time to make the switch to the new architecture.

Open to correction but I don't think one has any real benefit from a 64bit CPU unless the software utilising it is all 64bit designed. Its similar to running either 16 bit or 32 bit programs on 32 bit architecture.

[Luffypsp]

i guess i'm installing the 64-bit ubuntu then alongside my 6-bit windows 7 professional.

[Luffypsp]

I cant find the edit button so i'm sorry for double posting.

Here's my full spec,

Intel Centrino 2
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
500 GB SATA HDD 7200rpm
4 GB ddr3 ram
Integrated Intel graphic card
Discrete nvidia geforce gt130m 1GB ddr2 vram

i guess mine is pretty new hardware right?

After looking at my specs, what do you guys think?

[jlreich]

If you are a gamer go with 64bit. With the amounts of ram on video cards these days the memory mapping issue alone warrants this. 1GB video cards are the norm and having two is not at all uncommon. You can argue that many would be fine with less than 2GB ram available for the rest of the system, but for those that play more and more ram hungry games and other ram hungry applications this is really putting the squeeze on things, especially if you are running vista. Add in multitasking and you are in big trouble. You start hitting the page file hard and things are going to get ugly.

Video cards with 2GB ram are available and if you decide to get a second one for a total of 4GB video ram you are left with absolutely no choice but to go with a 64bit OS.

Same goes for workstations. There are actually high end workstation cards with 4GB ram on a single card.

If you are a general user that does email, home picture/video editing, or even light gaming then 32bit is fine. You may even be better off with 32bit. But if you don't fall into this category then, in my opinion, 64bit is definitely the way to go.

I could be totally wrong but I have a feeling when it comes to Linux there are many more apps that are 64bit optimized. I theorize that there are so many people developing these apps that it is more likely that they are getting ported to 64bit optimization than closed source applications. But I do not now this, it's just a thought.

[Luffypsp]

yep i'm a gamer and i'm using windows 7 x64 right now. but as for linux, can i gaming like i did on windows? i mean does the games for windows supported? I know you can use WINE but does it support all games?

[jlreich]

Originally Posted by Luffypsp

I know you can use WINE but does it support all games?

No it doesn't support all games. And the games that due run in Wine run anywhere from just barely playable to you wouldn't know the difference from playing in windows. Here is the Wine app database.

As of now when I want to game I simply boot into vista. Though not playing games in Linux at the moment I have successfully gotten some games to play well in Linux. But not gaming in Linux does not change the memory mapping issue, you still have the same hardware and run into the same 32bit limitations. This may not really apply to your particular situation since you have a laptop and are not going to be upgrading your video card. If you don't plan on gaming in Linux you can definitely get away with 32bit Linux.

I run 64bit Linux for already mentioned reasons and I also like to run virtual machines, so I need lots of ram.

[Luffypsp]

Just installed the 64-bit one and yeah you know, i felt accomplished. if i installed the 32-bit one i would've been curious on trying the 64-bit version.

Thanks guys for your opinions!