[Novalug] 64bit vs 32bit

[James Ewing Cottrell 3rd]

None of my computers will hold more than 2G anyway. I have 2 slots using 
DDR memory.

Now (some) 32-bit processors and Linux have the PAE extension, which 
IIRC is intended for managing more than 4G.

So I'm not sure that 64 bits are required. Anyone else want to comment?

JIM

Ken Kauffman wrote:
> This isn't 100% true.  If you do a tremendous amount of multitasking, 
> you may need more RAM than 4Gb.  So you'll need 64 bit to take 
> advantage of all the memory above 3.5 Gb.  For instance, I run 8Gb on 
> my desktop for multitasking reasons.
>
> Also, keep in mind that Linux will leave applications in memory even 
> after they are closed -- unless -- it's "released" and another process 
> needs to claim that space.  So you'll get a "virtual" speed up of 
> frequently used programs if you open/close a lot but do not multitask 
> as much.
>
> Ken
>
> On Sun, Apr 13, 2008 at 2:28 PM, James Ewing Cottrell 3rd 
> <JECottrell3 at comcast.net <mailto:JECottrell3 at comcast.net>> wrote:
>
>     I have six computers in my home. One is a 64 bit, and I think my
>     daughter's may be too.
>
>     Any computer I buy from now on will be 64 bit.
>
>     But unless you are running processes that need large address
>     spaces (some gene mapping applications really NEED 64 bit virtual
>     address spaces, I don't really see the need. I did download and
>     install a few 64 bit Linuxi, but for simplicity I will probably
>     just run 32 distros unless I want to mirror the 64 bit environment
>     I have at work.
>
>     At some point 64 bits will be more common than not and I will use
>     64 bits whenever I can, but for now, the complexity (there are
>     both 32 bit and 64 libraries) isn't worth it other than getting
>     experience in the 64 bit environment.
>
>     To give you an example, some of the plugins for FireFox only work
>     in 32 bit mode. The solution is to remove the 64 bit version and
>     install the 32 bit version. Other applications may also need to be
>     downgraded in this way.
>
>     In other words, I'll do what is easiest.
>
>     JIM
>
>     Ivan wrote:
>
>         Ivan Makfinsky wrote:
>
>             novalug-request at calypso.tux.org
>             <mailto:novalug-request at calypso.tux.org> wrote:
>
>                 Message: 1
>                 Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:03:28 -0400
>                 From: William Warren
>                 <hescominsoon at emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com
>                 <mailto:hescominsoon at emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com>>
>                 Subject: Re: [Novalug] 64bit vs 32bit (was FOSE wrapup)
>                 To: novalug at calypso.tux.org
>                 <mailto:novalug at calypso.tux.org>
>                 Message-ID:
>                 <47F65150.7010208 at emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com
>                 <mailto:47F65150.7010208 at emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com>>
>                 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1;
>                 format=flowed
>
>                 That's not a 64-bit issue..that's a VT issue which is
>                 different from 64 bit.
>
>                 Richard Rognlie wrote:
>                  
>
>                     On Fri, Apr 04, 2008 at 09:24:24AM -0400, Pete
>                     Nuwayser wrote:
>                      
>
>                         I agree with Greg:  a 64-bit OS will not run
>                         on 32-bit architecture,
>                         but 32-bit OS will run on 64-bit architecture.
>                              
>
>                     And to further complicate matters, there are times
>                     when a 64bit CPU can
>                     not accept a 64bit OS.
>
>                     I ran into this with VMware. Dell 1850 server.  
>                     64bit CPU.  64bit OS on the box.
>
>                     But I am unable to install a 64bit "guest" OS on
>                     the box due to the
>                     CPU lacking the "VT" (virtualization technology) flag.
>
>                     Had to get a 1950 to get the CPU upgrade...
>
>                        
>
>
>                  
>
>         In order to determine whether or not you can run a 64bit OS on
>         a certain CPU, look for the following:
>
>         $ cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep flags
>         flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep
>         mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 syscall
>         nx mmxext ~~~~lm~~~~~ 3dnowext 3dnow rep_good
>         flags           : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep
>         mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 syscall
>         nx mmxext ~~~~lm~~~~~ 3dnowext 3dnow rep_good
>
>         "lm" - Long mode, indicates the CPU is 64 bit capable.
>
>         - Ivan
>
>
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