What is the difference between 32 bit and 64 bit version of windows xp? and why should one use 64 over 32?

Question

what is the difference between 32 bit and 64 bit version of windows xp? and why should one use 64 over 32?

Answer 1

32-Bit is so much more slower than 64-Bit.

The Bit is the amount of Bits it can handle.

64-Bit isn't two times as fast, it's 2^32 times as fast (2x2x2x2x2 32 times).

64-Bit can also handle much more RAM, 32 can only cap at 4 GB.

But, there isn't as much 64-Bit support AS OF YET, but more and more are coming out.

Answer 2

Using 32 bit or 64 bit versions of Windows OS doesn't really depend on whether you want to use it or not.

It is actually dependent on the type of processor (CPU) that your machine has. The type of processor used by most home PCs is the 32-bit type (Pentium). Some high-end PCs (more expensive) has 64-bit type of processor inside them. Windows 64-bit version is intended for such machines.

Machines that use 64-bit processors are faster and more powerful than those that use 32-bit processors, but costs a lot more. Also, 64-bit machines can access more memory than 32-bit machines.

Most home PCs use the Windows 32-bit version.

Read the link below for 32-bit vs. 64-bit FAQ.

Answer 3

Due to the architecture of a 32 bit operating system, it can't address more than 4GB of memory at any given time (this includes RAM and your video card memory generally.) A 64 bit operating system shatters this boundry allowing you up to 128GB of ram. Obviously this is worthless for most users. Only a high end server would have a use for that much memory. Some graphics workstations and things like that may find use for 8 or more GB, but even then, it is not mainstream yet.

There are other advantages to 64 bit computing, too many to list here. It is probably where our future is headed.

There are also cons to 64 bit computing. Right now the biggest limitation is software. Most software is written for a 32 bit OS. To see real world performance gains, the software has to be re-written from the ground up to work in a 64 bit environment. 64 bit windows can run 32 bit applications, but they are still just 32 bit applications. You wont see any performance gains until the software is natively written for a 64 bit OS.

Also 64 bit windows uses 64 bit drivers (naturally.) So all your old drivers wont work, and some developers have not released 64 bit drivers yet, so depending on your PC you may lose some functionality.

Overall the concept of 64 bit computing is excellent, and will lead to AMAZING gains in speed and power. Currently the software is just not ready to be pushed that far. Unless you are an extreme user needing all that extra RAM, right now 32 bit is where you want to be

Answer 4

64 Bit is not any faster than 32 Bit. All 64 Bit does is allow for more memory to become available.

Answer 5

There are a few differences between the two types. x64 can run twice as many colours than x32, giving a much better looking image than you would be used to. Also, performance-wise, x64 is much faster than x32, and the difference is immediately noticable. Besides that, on an x32 system, the max amount of RAM that can be installed is 4GB, whereas on Vista Ultimate x64, you can have 128GB.

The main disadvantage of x64 (on XP mainly though) was that alot of programs still aren't compatible, deciding to stay with x32 for a little while longer. But seeing as Vista is primarily an x64 system, that problem won't be around much longer.

Hope that helps=]