32 bit operating system w/duo core 64bit processor

[Guest]

I am confused about the new computer I bought. It says that I have a 32 bit
operating system but a duo core 64 bit processor. So which type of computer
do I have, 32bit or 64bit, Help!

 

[Mac]

64

 

[Cal Bear '66]

You have a 32-bit/64-bit capable computer that is running a 32-bit operating
system.

You can install a 64-bit operating system and then you will have a 32-bit/64-bit
computer running a 64-bit operating system.

 

[Jon Davis]

I am confused about the new computer I bought. It says that I have a 32 bit
operating system but a duo core 64 bit processor. So which type of
computer
do I have, 32bit or 64bit, Help!

Cal Bear was pretty darn close to communicating the truth.

For usability purposes, since in layman's terms a computer is the whole user
experience of operating system and hardware combined, your computer is
currently a 32-bit computer. You can upgrade your computer to 64-bit, but
that would be an operating system upgrade (software), not a hardware
upgrade.

Technically, you have a 64-bit processor that supports both 32-bit and
64-bit instruction sets. This is called 64-bit Extended (or x64 / EM64). But
since the operating system is 32-bit, you can only run 32-bit software,
unless the software expressly describes itself as 64-bit software that
supports 32-bit operating systems (such as VMWare Workstation or the 64-bit
flavor of Cakewalk Sonar). If you install a 64-bit Extended operating
system, such as Windows Vista x64, then you will be able to run either
32-bit software or 64-bit software.

Some 64-bit hardware only supports 64-bit software. This isn't the case here
because your operating system is already 32-bit.

Jon

 

[ray]

I am confused about the new computer I bought. It says that I have a 32 bit
operating system but a duo core 64 bit processor. So which type of computer
do I have, 32bit or 64bit, Help!

Well, it sounds to me like you have a 64 bit computer running a 32 bit
system.

 

[Mac]

And if this computer was dual-boot with a 64bit OS, it would be what?

It's a 64bit computer... regardless of any installed OS.

 

[Dustin Harper]

You are running a 64 Bit processor, but using the 32Bit version of Vista. It
is perfectly ok, and if you don't have a need for 64 Bit, I wouldn't worry
about it one bit. They are about equal on speed, for the time being. The
Core 2 Duo is a screamer either way.

A 64 Bit version of Vista is available, but if you have no need to upgrade,
I wouldn't. There are a few driver challenges (getting better everyday,
though), and some applications won't work with 64 Bit.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am confused about the new computer I bought. It says that I have a 32 bit
operating system but a duo core 64 bit processor. So which type of computer
do I have, 32bit or 64bit, Help!

You have exactly what it says you have. Your processor is 64-bit. That
means it can run either a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. You
are running the 32-bit version.

 

[Amir Facade]

A 48 bit computer.

Amir

And if this computer was dual-boot with a 64bit OS, it would be what?

It's a 64bit computer... regardless of any installed OS.

 

[Jon Davis]

And if this computer was dual-boot with a 64bit OS, it would be what?

It's a 64bit computer... regardless of any installed OS.

I disagree. I qualified myself with "since in layman's terms a computer is
the whole user experience of operating system and hardware combined". Tell
my mother that her 64-bit hardware running a 32-bit operating system is a
64-bit computer, and she will start looking for 64-bit software to buy for
it.

Jon

 

[Don]

I disagree. I qualified myself with "since in layman's terms a computer is
the whole user experience of operating system and hardware combined". Tell
my mother that her 64-bit hardware running a 32-bit operating system is a
64-bit computer, and she will start looking for 64-bit software to buy for
it.

I'd advise Mom to wait a bit ) Most of the info I've read says that
the software needs to catch up to the hardware for another year or so
before it will be truly ready for prime-time.