Picolini Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Every where I look I kept hearing "64-bit/32-bit OS/Processor"... So I did some searching, read some info on wiki and I understand what the difference is, but I've got some questions as to how the two work together, OS's and processors. Is it possible to run a 32-bit OS with a 64-bit processor? Or vice versa? I'm almost certain your processor would need to be 64bit to do a 64bit OS, but the other way around sounds like it may work, imo. I'm mainly asking because I'm considering getting a Q6600 in the not so distant future and if I've read right, that's a 64-bit processor, while I have a 32-bit Vista for my OS. I would like to know if it'd run fine that way. With that out of the way, a bit more on 64-bit OS's. Since they allow for more RAM to be used, and in turn programs to run faster (I know not all benefit from it), it sounds like a no brainer to use 64-bit systems, especially since 32-bit software can still be run on 64-bit OS's (right?). But as I've read drivers can be a real big problem. How common is it that a company doesn't provide 64-bit drivers? I would assume the larger ones provide them for all their products, but if anyone with 64-bit experience (or just knowledge on the subject) could shed some like on that it'd be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saget Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 (edited) Is it possible to run a 32-bit OS with a 64-bit processor? Yes. Or vice versa? I am almost completely sure that you can't. ...especially since 32-bit software can still be run on 64-bit OS's (right?). Yes. But the catch is, for a 64bit OS to run a 32bit program, it has to emulate it, which can result in slowdowns. Though on my machine, I don't even notice that. About drivers: My entire computer was "64bits ready". The video card, the motherboard, you name it. Everything came with 64bits drivers already. Apart from that, everything else works, from gamepad to tablet. The only thing that didn't work was the webcam, it has the drivers but apparently Vista doesn't seem to like them =P Edited January 19, 2008 by Saget |DeviantArt|Flickr|YouTube|#amf| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picolini Posted January 19, 2008 Author Share Posted January 19, 2008 Thanks for the info. Like I said, I agree with you that you can't do a 32bit CPU with a 64bit OS. As for the webcam, do you think it was more of a Vista thing in general or more likely a 64bit thing? Glad to hear all your other stuff works fine, I'd assume most of my stuff, if not all, would work ok as well. What Saget said brought up a new question. My Mobo (Asus P5N-E SLI) says it's capable of taking Quad and Extreme cores, and aren't those all 64-bit? So the mobo shouldn't be a problem for me, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SyphonPayne Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Last I recall I believe you said you have an E6600? Well all Core 2 processors (Duo, Quad, Extreme) are 64-bit capable processors. I have a Q6600 and I am running Vista 32-bit because I primarily built my computer for gaming, and as of now 64-bit doesn't benifit games much at all. Plus I didn't want to hassle with making sure all my devices have 64-bit drivers. Vista x64 and XP x64 are compatible with 32-bit programs due to emulation, but not 16-bit applications (which is still used in some installers for 32-bit applications.) BUT 64-bit versions of the operating systems are not compatible with 32-bit drivers and also cause trouble when running unsigned drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picolini Posted January 19, 2008 Author Share Posted January 19, 2008 Ah, I see. Didn't know about Duo's, the Quad's and Extremes I was pretty certain about. So that's a definite yes on the 32bit OS w/ 64bit CPU I'm just curious with all this 64 bit to see if it's advantages outweigh the negatives. I plan on building my own PC the next time I get one (probably won't be for a year or so, but I'd still like to know as much as possible), so getting info on all this stuff with help. Thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saget Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Ah, I see. Didn't know about Duo's, the Quad's and Extremes I was pretty certain about. So that's a definite yes on the 32bit OS w/ 64bit CPU I'm just curious with all this 64 bit to see if it's advantages outweigh the negatives. I plan on building my own PC the next time I get one (probably won't be for a year or so, but I'd still like to know as much as possible), so getting info on all this stuff with help. Thanks guys Most people I know are like "Ahh, why are you getting a 64bits computer, nearly all programs are still 32bits!". It is true. Most softwares aren't 64bits. But in my vision, I wanted an updated computer, so I went for the latest and best technology. If I don't upgrade my computer in the next 2 or 3 years, at least I'll be ready for whatever 64bits thing that may come. |DeviantArt|Flickr|YouTube|#amf| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svip Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Pfft, why use 64bit anyway? You only get to have more RAM, and it is not like you need more than 4GB of RAM right now is it? Nah, I am waiting for 128bit CPUs. By then we can have more RAM than there are objects in visual space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cold fusion 33 Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 What is the highest amount of RAM available to a PC (Or Mac) at the moment? I mean like in normal computers, not the super computers that NASA use... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svip Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 What is the highest amount of RAM available to a PC (Or Mac) at the moment? I mean like in normal computers, not the super computers that NASA use... NASA? IBM has all the super computers. And they run Linux. o_o Anyway, for 32bit it is about 4GB RAM. For 64bit it is 16,777,216TB or 16EB of RAM. While as for 128bit it is 2.81474977 × 10^14YB or 3.1691265 × 10^29GB of RAM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cold fusion 33 Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Wow. That is a lot of RAM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzy Fozborne Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Remember when the 4 GB limit was imposed, everyone said it would neeeever be reached. Haha, so much for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew1g Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 32 bit only sees 3.2GBs when you have 4 gigs installed. anything higher and you'll need 64bit os.. at least AFAIK I'm running 32bit vista on a Q6600 like syphon. I don't really have any reason to go 64 bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otter Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 CS3 is still 32bit, and if memory serves me correctly, After Effects didn't even run on my 64 edition of XP. While it may be sooner rather than later, I don't think the time, for me, has arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picolini Posted January 19, 2008 Author Share Posted January 19, 2008 Well sounds like getting a 64-bit OS would be jumping the gun then... since the OS can do 32-bit just fine, that should be enough. I could always upgrade to a 64-bit OS later on if I needed/wanted to. Good to know about 32-bit only recognizing just over 3GB, it'll save me $20 or so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SyphonPayne Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Yeah I have 2GB of RAM right now and honestly I don't see how anything more would benefit current games at all, hell crysis everything on very high uses 89% max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svip Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Yeah I have 2GB of RAM right now and honestly I don't see how anything more would benefit current games at all, hell crysis everything on very high uses 89% max. Yeah yeah. But what if you want the game in eighty five processes at the same time? Huh!? I guess your argument just failed, did it not!? You need one of those CPUs with 80 kernels too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cold fusion 33 Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Ummm what is a 'kernal'? I fail badly at most PC terminoligy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew1g Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 to be as simple as possible, the "interface" between the application and the hardware. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_%28computer_science%29 oh and about games and 2 gig thingy. Assissin's creed is rumored (I hope it's not) to need 3 gig RAM to run it on full Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svip Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Woops, I meant "cores". Hehe... difficult when your native language use the same word for core and kernel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cold fusion 33 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 A CPU with 80 cores? Do you mean cores in the sense that I am thinking, as in dual core meaning 2 cores or are you making a joke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picolini Posted January 20, 2008 Author Share Posted January 20, 2008 I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic. I may be a little late on this but I just read about an 8 processor, 4 GPU rig that Intel made for some computer show not too long ago. It had 2 of the new Xeon processors at 4.0Ghz, bringing it to a total of 32.0Ghz. Not sure what GPU's it had, but they were in Quad SLi mode, friggin crazy. Only 4GB's of RAM... that would coincide with what Syphon said, to some degree. Really, I'd say there's nothing that'll fully utilize 4GB's. But who knows when you've got 8 4.0Ghz CPU's running all together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTA3Freak-2001 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Something I've been interested in knowing, can a 32 bit OS like Vista simply be upgraded to 64bit easily or is it a case of having to buy a specifically 64bit version of Vista and installing it clean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picolini Posted January 20, 2008 Author Share Posted January 20, 2008 That thought came to my mind as well, but my guess is you'll have to do a fresh install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SyphonPayne Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 @Svip: lols @matthew1g: Well I already have Assassin's Creed on Xbox 360, but really I honestly don't see how it could use more RAM than Crysis, unless it's poorly coded. @GTA3Freek-2001: Windows Vista 32-bit cannot be upgraded to 64-bit. It has to be a clean install. Also, OEM versions of Vista only come with one or the other (either 32-bit standalone or 64-bit standalone.) Windows Vista Retail versions have both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saget Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 @Svip: lols @matthew1g: Well I already have Assassin's Creed on Xbox 360, but really I honestly don't see how it could use more RAM than Crysis, unless it's poorly coded. @GTA3Freek-2001: Windows Vista 32-bit cannot be upgraded to 64-bit. It has to be a clean install. Also, OEM versions of Vista only come with one or the other (either 32-bit standalone or 64-bit standalone.) Windows Vista Retail versions have both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions included. ? I bought Vista and it only came with a 32-bits version. Hmm, wait, I think it's because it was an update, the ones that you install over WinXP. Even though I had to ask for a new DVD with the 64-bits version of Vista, all I paid was the shipping. And I didn't need WinXP to install it. Now I have both DVDs |DeviantArt|Flickr|YouTube|#amf| Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SyphonPayne Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 @Svip: lols @matthew1g: Well I already have Assassin's Creed on Xbox 360, but really I honestly don't see how it could use more RAM than Crysis, unless it's poorly coded. @GTA3Freek-2001: Windows Vista 32-bit cannot be upgraded to 64-bit. It has to be a clean install. Also, OEM versions of Vista only come with one or the other (either 32-bit standalone or 64-bit standalone.) Windows Vista Retail versions have both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions included. ? I bought Vista and it only came with a 32-bits version. Hmm, wait, I think it's because it was an update, the ones that you install over WinXP. Even though I had to ask for a new DVD with the 64-bits version of Vista, all I paid was the shipping. And I didn't need WinXP to install it. Now I have both DVDs Yes, OEM versions and upgrades only come with one or the other but you can order the 64-bit version as explained here. The retail of Ultimate has both x86 and x64 versions, not sure about the other ones though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K^2 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 What is the highest amount of RAM available to a PC (Or Mac) at the moment? I mean like in normal computers, not the super computers that NASA use... If you have a 64bit CPU, you are limited by what your motherboard allows. Highest I've seen supported is 64GB. Most 64bit motherboards, however, will cap you at 8GB. Prior to filing a bug against any of my code, please consider this response to common concerns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svip Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic. Nope. Not at all, Intel has recently created a CPU with 80cores. Ah yes, imagine all the simultaneously runs of Doom you can run now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picolini Posted January 20, 2008 Author Share Posted January 20, 2008 I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic. Nope. Not at all, Intel has recently created a CPU with 80cores. Ah yes, imagine all the simultaneously runs of Doom you can run now. Jesus, well that's just not practical at all Imagine what it'd take to cool that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[CTD]LaBan Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic. Nope. Not at all, Intel has recently created a CPU with 80cores. Ah yes, imagine all the simultaneously runs of Doom you can run now. Jesus, well that's just not practical at all Imagine what it'd take to cool that... Well, this fan would blow every tree in 3 km radius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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