64 bit capability system with 32 bit Vista

[Pflueger]

Could someone please clarify this: I have bought a laptop with claims that
it "can handle 64 bits of information at once" (it has Dual Core, 160G HD
and 2G RAM), but the OEM Vista Home Premium in it is, from what I have read,
probably 32 bit.

Does this mean that the processor can function as 64 bit, while the OS will
function as 32 bit? Or is the 64 bit capability wasted with a 32 bit OS?

Thanks, Pflu

 

[philo]

Could someone please clarify this: I have bought a laptop with claims that
it "can handle 64 bits of information at once" (it has Dual Core, 160G HD
and 2G RAM), but the OEM Vista Home Premium in it is, from what I have read,
probably 32 bit.

Does this mean that the processor can function as 64 bit, while the OS will
function as 32 bit? Or is the 64 bit capability wasted with a 32 bit OS?

For the most part...the 64bit capability is being wasted ...though it's
possible some
apps could take advantage of some of the 64bit processors capability.

OTOH: Even if you installed the 64bit version of your operating system on
your machine...
there might not be drivers for all your hardware.

I did a few (non-scientific tests) with XP_32 vs XP_64
and found that for the most part you could not tell the difference between
one the 64bit OS and the 32bit OS

*However* with some fairly "heavy" apps such as PhotoshopCS2...
the performance using a 64bit OS with a 64bit cpu was noticeably better!

 

[Paul Smith]

Could someone please clarify this: I have bought a laptop with claims that
it "can handle 64 bits of information at once" (it has Dual Core, 160G HD
and 2G RAM), but the OEM Vista Home Premium in it is, from what I have
read,
probably 32 bit.

Does this mean that the processor can function as 64 bit, while the OS
will
function as 32 bit? Or is the 64 bit capability wasted with a 32 bit OS?

You'd need the 64-bit version of Windows to take advantage of the benefits
of 64-bit hardware. At the moment the CPU is running in 32-bit mode.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove nospam. to reply by e-mail*

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

For the most part...the 64bit capability is being wasted ...

Yes.


though
it's possible some
apps could take advantage of some of the 64bit processors capability.

Not without a 64-bit operating system.

OTOH: Even if you installed the 64bit version of your operating
system on your machine...
there might not be drivers for all your hardware.

Very true, and certainly a significant issue for anyone thinking of running
the 64-bt version.

 

[Steve Jain]

Not without a 64-bit operating system.




Very true, and certainly a significant issue for anyone thinking of running
the 64-bt version.

Especially considering the requirements for x64 Vista drivers and lack
of work-arounds for unsigned drivers.

 

[Saucy Lemon]

I checked the charts and it seems that particular processor does not do
"Intel 64".

Saucy