What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit operating system?
32 bits duh!!!! To start, let me explain the difference between 32 and 64-bit systems, and the ‘why’ behind it. In your computer, you have several ‘items’ that, normally, you don’t concern yourself about. One of those is the ‘data buss’. It doesn’t go across town or anything like that, but it does provide transportation. Basically, It connects memory to the rest of the system including the processor, which does all the thinking in your computer. The ‘data buss’ is used to move the data around inside your computer. In a 32-bit computer, the width (or size) of the data buss is 32-bits wide. A 64-bit buss is twice as wide so the system can move twice as much data around. Being able to process more data means a faster system — but only for specific things. Normal office productivity and web surfing will show no advantages at all, whereas graphics processing and scientific calculations will go much faster. Processor manufacturers are working out ways to provide 64-bit processors that are f
The diffrence is not only a sofware diffrence, but also a hardware diffrence. A 32-bit offers support for all hardware that meets minimum system requirements and up to 3GB of ram. A 64-bit takes a 64-bit compatible pc and it can support up to 8GB of ram. If you are a hard core gamer, programmer, or memory user a 64-bit is for you because of the acess to more RAM. But the 64-bit is a slightly more unstable version and is not suggested for your simplified users because of the unstability. Also, some programs are not compatible with a 64-bit OS.
64-bit operating systems can take advantage of the 64-bit architecture, memory addressing, etc, that is now found in current CPUs. Advantages are larger memory-address (32-bit can address up to 4gb memory, 64-bit has a theoretical limit of 256tb), some perceived performance gains (depending on the applications being run). Current disadvantages include poor driver support leading to possible reliability or compatibility issues.
