Using 64-bit processor on 32 bit OS

[Zaafir]

Hello Guys,

I would like to know can we run a 64 bit processor on a 32 bit operating system. If so do we lose any speed or performance.what will exactly happens? This may be a simple question,but am looking for a perfect answer.Would you recommend it? Please get back to me regarding the same..

Thanks and peace.!!

[Lillebror]

I think you won't attain that much benefit doing so.The latest 64 bit CPUs from AMD and Intel are based on the latest technology, so they will usually run 32 bit code faster than older 32 bit processors. A lot of the new 64 bit CPUs are dual or quad core which can be a big advantage if your OS supports multi-processing.Installing a 32 bit OS on a 64 bit machine is basically easier than installing the 64 bit version. 64 bit drivers are not available for a lot of hardware. A lot of application is only available in the 32 bit version. This can lead to issues when you require to join and match 32 and 64 bit software. For example:running a 64 bit web browser with 32 bit plugins like Flashplayer.Currently running 32 bit Ubuntu Linux on this AMD-64 laptop and 32 bit Debian Linux on my AMD-64 desktop PC.

[MrChris-]

I have 32-bit XP Pro on my Athlon64 system I've run pretty much nothing since I got it. I tried the "evaluation" version 64-bit XP when it was first unleashed, but so much things simply didn't run.The ATI Multimedia Center application, for instance, wouldn't run with the All-in-Wonder tuner card. The bundled drivers worked and I could watch and control TV in other apps, but ATI's MMC package wouldn't run eaxctly.You likely won't see any big benefit from a 64-bit chip even with a 64-bit Windows, unless you're using software that's designed to take full advantage of the parallel processing capabilities.

[Solomon]

You can realize the performance increase from switching to a 64 bit OS if you use applications collectively which may require more than ~ 3.6 GB of RAM or 64 bit programs such as Adobe CS4.I don't know if 64 bit OS's are bit costly. Most of the time when I visit HP or Dell, they are the same price. Isn't a 64 bit OS not that much different from a 32 bit one? Is it just a few lines of code to change the memory limit and word size