32 bit vs. 64 bit

[Fruit2O]

1. Can 64 bit software be used by a 32 bit processor?

2. Would it be wise to get a Windows Vista 64 bit PC?

3. What are the pros and cons?


Thanks.........

 

[peter]

1. Can 64 bit software be used by a 32 bit processor?
NO
2. Would it be wise to get a Windows Vista 64 bit PC?
NO
3. What are the pros and cons?

All cons.......lack of drivers
lack of software for the
avg user
lack of games

Thanks.........Wecome

oeter

 

[Fruit2O]

All cons.......lack of drivers
lack of software for the
avg user
lack of games

oeter

Thanks - again.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

1. Can 64 bit software be used by a 32 bit processor?

No.


2. Would it be wise to get a Windows Vista 64 bit PC?

Yes, in my view. Even if you don't run 64-bit Vista now (and you may not
want to unless you are sure you can get 64-bit drivers for all your
hardware), it may be wise to get a 64-bit system and run 32-bit Vista on it
now. That will let you upgrade to 64-bit Vista in the future when drivers
for all your hardware becomes available.

3. What are the pros and cons?

Cons: Still poor driver support. Few 64-bit apps available.

Pros (regarding the 64-bit hardware): versatility for the future. Little
additional cost over 32-bit hardware

 

[Enkidu]

NO

YES. Sooner or later games will be coming out optimised for 64-bit and
you will be ready for them.

All cons.......lack of drivers lack of software for the avg user lack
of games

These 'problems' will be fixed over time.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[joseph2k]

I would not get any Vista PC until SP1. Just the same, 64-bit capable is
about the only new hardweare available. There just is not much 64-bit
applications in the M$ part of the world.

Yes, in my view. Even if you don't run 64-bit Vista now (and you may not
want to unless you are sure you can get 64-bit drivers for all your
hardware), it may be wise to get a 64-bit system and run 32-bit Vista on
it now. That will let you upgrade to 64-bit Vista in the future when
drivers for all your hardware becomes available.

I actually agree here, even in the Linux/Unix part of world the frameworks
and applications (with a few exceptions) are still few.

Cons: Still poor driver support. Few 64-bit apps available.

Pros (regarding the 64-bit hardware): versatility for the future. Little
additional cost over 32-bit hardware

So there it is for both M$ and the Linux/unix world that is based on x86
compatible systems. On the other hand Sun Solaris (a Unix variant) for
SPARC has a full cadre of well developed 64-bit tools, drivers, and
applications. And much is available for HP-PARisc, Open VMS (DEC Alpha),
and some MIPS 64-bit platforms (SGI IRIX comes to mind). DEC Alpha, SPARC
64-bit, and MIPS 64-bit are all well established to obsolete, time line
wise. Intel and M$ are just playing catch-up again. Don't believe me,
Google for it. And yes, I do know about Itamium II and SGI Altix. Look at
what is used to create the fastest 100 supercomputers in the world.