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I am given a choice in downloading some software for either
Windows x86 or Windows x64.
How do I know what I have? I know I have Windows XP Sp2
Dell E1750 w/ Intel dual core processor.
But, I don't really know what Windows x86 or x64 is.
Thanks for any clarification.
how much ram u hav?
if it is above 4 gb then u will have to take 64 bit os.
ram size ->if it is 4gb or below then 32 bit is also enough. note that a 32 bit os will only show about 3.2 gb as maximum usable ram. rest is not usable(overheads etc).
compatiblity -> if u are a geek , beta addict then u can go for 64 bit os. u may have trouble finding 64 bit versions of ur fav apps.
u can use old 32 apps perfectly fine in 64 bit os but it will not be able to take any advantage of 64 bit tech(more registers, more than 4 gb ram)
performance -> to gain any performance leap both the app and os must be 64 bit. right now 64 bit optimised apps are rare.so u will be lucky to have 5% improvement in ur computing performance if any.
but certain classes of apps like database servers and perticularly dvd ripping softwares have shown huge improvements in 64 bit computing.
best of luck
I still don't know which version I have. As far as I know, I have 512 MB of RAM. Nothing close to 2 gigs. I am not a geek. Isn't there somewhere on my computer that tells me what version I have??
Windows downloads
or
Windows x64 downloads
These are the choices I am given when I am trying to download a database
software. How do I choose?
go to start > help & support > Support tab on above > opt for my system information & find out what all things u have installed. :)
Thank you very much. That was a huge help. A great resource I wish I knew about before. Thanks again.
can check it from environment variable PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE or PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER
Open Command Prompt ( cmd ), type echo
echo %PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE%
or
echo %PROCESSOR_IDENTIFIER%
or just type "set" and see the values of these environment variables
Regards,
Vikas Singhal