64 bit processors

jakelovatto · 27 Oct 2008 at 09:21

If i buy a 64 bit processor is it ridiculous to not use a 64 bit operating system. Can a 64 bit processor use a 32 bit OS.

JRS · 27 Oct 2008 at 09:33

Yes, it can.

As for whether you should use XP/Vista 64bit or a 64bit Linux distro....your call. It'll allow the system to see more RAM (32bit is limited to under 4GB), so if you do a lot of video/photo work and want more than 4GB of RAM in your system then a 64bit OS is the way to go.

jakelovatto · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:39

Does 32 bit software run on 64 bit OS's.

Guardsmon · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:40

yes, most should. Though there are some odd bits on some OS's that don't

danielanthony · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:50

Remember your video card RAM is included in your memory count, so if you have a 32bit OS and a 2Gb gfx card you can only have 2Gb RAM.

Shrapnel · 27 Oct 2008 at 16:25

I thought that it's not that simple because not all of the graphics card memory is adressed, only the memory controller.

General rule of thumb is that you'll get 3.25Gig on a 32Bit OS. 32 bit / 64 Bit windows OS will run on either chip.