64-bit: More Than Just the RAM

Original Article: http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/10/16/64-bit_more_than_just_the_ram/1

By now, though, the majority of users on these forums who are reasonably proficient with computers have realized that it takes a 64-bit OS to utilize more than around 3.5GB of RAM, and that this is quite beneficial with Vista - so the scenario above doesn't happen as much. While this is definitely a major reason to upgrade, there's more to 64-bit than just RAM utilization.

This is a great article that I found that discusses 64-bit operating systems. While it is a bit old, it's still a great read for those who are not entirely clear on the benefits of 64-bit OS's.

(and hopefully no one posted this already)

 

Such a good article, you get an A+ for posting this.

 

old article

 

Nice article. Thanks a lot for posting it. Good to hear the Source engine (DoD/CS) will get a boost from 64-bit architecture. I play them everyday.

 

Hm... pretty basic, but never the less, pretty clear explaination.

 

Thanks! It was a good read...something that I have been reading on threads here, but did not know the first thing about...maybe basic, but for matters like these, I need basic!

 

Thanks I'll add the article as a web resource to my 32 vs. 64 Bit post (see sig) - I should update it too....

 

So who wants to summarize that into a short bite Forumite 2 can use?

 

Here are some highlights.

 

I personally knew a lot of it already, but it's a great place to get a basic understanding.

 

and still, the main reason to switch is, if you want more than 4gb of ram

but it was still nice that amd back then thought "if we go 64bit, we could make a new, better hw baseline default". and thus 64bit mode has some new features.

still gains will be marginal, except for the >4gb ram. that one can be very noticable.


one thing that should be noted in here:

while 32bit vista can only use around 3.5gb ram, and 64bit could use the full 4gb ram (on 4gb ram systems, that is), due to the increase of executable size, the memory footprint of a 64bit os is a bit bigger. the result fills around those 512MB ram, making the main point for 64bit on 4gb systems mood: using all ram. as it's bigger, you have in the end about the same amount of ram free for your usage