Are all modern processors 64bit?

NickM

NickM

NickM

Soldato
Joined
12 Dec 2003
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Stupid question maybe but my friend just said that are all modern processors (C2Duo etc) are 64bit? Is he correct?
If so why would they still sell 32bit OS's?
I was reading about Intel EM64T but then it said something about emulation? :confused:
 
All Intel and AMD chips now (with the exception of stuff like the atom) are indeed 64-bit. The reason for 32-bit OS'es etc still existing is quite simply down to software and hardware support. There are a hell of a lot of devices out there (such as printers, scanners and capture cards) that just don't have x64 drivers, and they probably won't do either. In addition to hardware support a lot of older software just won't work on an x64 OS.

In short, 32-bit OS'es will exist for as long as there's a demand and a need for them. I'm personally running an x64 OS now and have no problems with it, but not everyone is ready for it yet. The main factor in driving x64 forward is memory support - as we're reaching the point where 4GB is pretty much standard, we're seeing more of a need for x64. I think it'll be another couple of years yet.
 
Yes.

And because some hardware doesn't work on 32bit systems.

Virtualisation lets you emulate a processor and means you can run virtual machines etc faster.
 
I've just upgraded to 4gb of ram on my laptop and desktop but it seems expensive to upgrade vista on both my laptop and desktop just to get 500mb or so out of it, maybe I'll just wait for Windows 7 -64.

Is there a way to check compatibility of hardware with 64bit? Should most hardware bought in the last 2 years be able to cope with 64bit?
 
NickM said:
I've just upgraded to 4gb of ram on my laptop and desktop but it seems expensive to upgrade vista on both my laptop and desktop just to get 500mb or so out of it, maybe I'll just wait for Windows 7 -64.
Click to expand...

Do you already have Vista on those machines?
 
The other drawback to 64bit windows is that WOW on allows you to run 32bit apps through thunking, meaning that to run 16bit apps (quite a few installer packages for 32bit apps were still 16bit) you are out of luck (unless you setup a virtualised 32bit os in virtual pc or similar).
 
If I'm going to be a pedant, the only true 64-bit CPU is the Intel Itanium. Everything else is just x86 with 64-bit extensions :)
 
reflux said:
If I'm going to be a pedant, the only true 64-bit CPU is the Intel Itanium. Everything else is just x86 with 64-bit extensions :)
Click to expand...

If you're going to be a pedant, do it properly, there are versions of the IBM POWER and Sun's SPARC that are 64bit native ;)
 
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