64-Bit or 32-Bit

[z121231211]

I'm going to install Ubuntu Linux on my laptop and it gave me a choice between 32-bit or 64-bit.

I chose to download 64-bit since I am also using 64-bit Windows Vista and had only one problem where there were no 64-bit drivers for a PS3 controller.

What do all of you think about using a 64-bit OS and what problems have you have encountered using one?

 

[gigastrike]

I've never used one, but being able to support an infinite amount of RAM seems like a pretty good up-side.

 

[JWAN]

I use 64 bit and it works fine, just some windows errors and some things aren't compatible with it yet.

 

[Grand_Poohbah]

I have 32-bit, but I have no idea what that means.

 

[samsprinkle]

I have a 32 bit gaming system...As to what all that means with computers ask queer eye the science guy.

 

[Twilight_guy]

I have Vista 64-bit and I have never had any troubles that I can relate back to 64 vs. 32 bit. If you try to old hardware there probably won't be any drivers for it though.

 

[jasoncyrus]

I have some advice....

Unless you are highly experienced with it (or ae lots of patience)

Dont use Linux. At all, ever.

For people who know wtf they are doing its great, its robust (although doesnt enjoy a lot of compatibilities luxuries like windows) but it does fine.

For people who don't though...(like my mother) Youa re looking at an hour of telling them what to do every time they wanna check their email/use pidgin/etc/etc.

 

[SinisterDeath]

^
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With that guy, Linux/ubunto/redhat, are kinda intimindating and I'm no newb to pc.

Also, 64-bit does NOT have unlimited potential for memory. Its simply a ridiculously high (by todays standards) amount of memory.

I'm still waiting to run 6x2TB@16660 memory.

 

[Kriegsherr]

Well a 32-bit OS can runs 32^2 sized strings, whereas 64-bit runs 64^2 strings. It essentially just does twice as much with one string as opposed to 32bit, its complicated and really the one of the only main differences to gamers is that it can address more than 3.2Gb of RAM. Not sure what the exact amount is but its some ridiculous number in terabytes, for now 4Gb will do me just fine

EDIT: While it can do twice as much twice as fast with one string, I should meantion this is only relative to programs that are 64-bit capable/optimised, you'll find no difference at all using standard 32-bit programs

 

[Radelaide]

I'm still waiting to run 6x2TB@16660 memory.

I think we all are.

*sigh*

 

[Sewblon]

I am using Vista Ultimate 32 bit OS but only because Toms hardware told me to.

 

[[Gavo]]

I've never used one, but being able to support an infinite amount of RAM seems like a pretty good up-side.

Yeah. What you said.

Just don't ever, ever, ever get XP 64-bit. Ever.

 

[Danny Ocean]

I have 32-bit, but I have no idea what that means.

32bit means your OS can recognise 3GB of ram.
64bit means your OS can recognise 128GB (or it might be 256) of ram. Well it's a big number. Bigger than I can handle without sugar. So let's say pretty much unlimited.

I'll type something up about it tomorrow.

 

[superbleeder12]

the ability to (in-theory) address 1.8yottabytes 2^64 of memory.

Also the ability to take longer expressions (if the application is natively written in 64 bit)