64 bit system. -discharge system: what is it in general terms? Testing with PCMark Vantage Test Suite

In this article we will learn what 32 and 64-bit systems and programs are, and what x86, x64, x32 means. We will also decide which system to install on your computer or laptop.

What it is?

The division into 32 and 64 bits is primarily due to the type of processors in your computer or laptop. Previously (many years ago) all processors in computers were 32-bit. And even earlier they were 8 bit. Those. the higher the “bit” of your processor, the faster and better it solves everything system tasks and performs operations faster. Thus, 64-bit processors are faster than 32-bit processors.

Modern computers mostly have 64-bit processors. In about 5 years, 128-bit processors will appear. After all, science and technology do not stand still.

OS

In addition to the fact that Windows operating systems are different types(XP, 7, etc.), they are also divided into x86 and x64 versions. Accordingly, if you have a 64-bit processor, then the system must be installed x64.

By the way, x86 means 32-bit system. Why is it called x86 and not x32? Almost no one knows this. Previously, 32-bit systems were written x32. And then they began to be called x86, although this did not change the essence - it is still the same 32-bit system. In my opinion, such a renaming is nothing more than a cunning marketing ploy to pass off something old as something new.

If you install a 32-bit OS on a computer with 64-bit architecture, the computer will still work fine. And vice versa, if you install x64 on a 32-bit computer, then everything will also work fine.

What are the differences?

One of the main differences between x86 and x64 systems is the use random access memory your computer. The RAM usage limit for 32-bit systems is 3 GB. Therefore, if your computer or laptop has more than 3 GB of RAM, the system will not use the rest. Those. On a computer with 8GB of RAM, 5GB simply won't be used. Of course have special utilities, helping to fix this, but still...

Therefore, the main rule follows from here: If your computer has more than 3 GB of RAM, then install x64 OS (64-bit) on it.

Another difference is that computer programs are also divided into 32 and 64-bit. If you want maximum performance, then install the appropriate programs on your computer. This is especially true for modern graphic editors.

What is better: x86 or x64?

After reading the above, you probably got the impression that 64-bit systems are much better and faster, and therefore it is better to install x64 on all computers and laptops. But no!

The main disadvantage is that 64-bit programs use much more RAM to operate. Therefore, if you have little RAM, then installing x64 will be stupid. In addition, you need to take into account that the OS itself also uses part of the RAM.

For example:
You have a computer or laptop with 2 GB of RAM and a 32-bit processor. You install Windows 7 x64 on it. Many schoolchildren like to install 64-bit Windows 7 on all their computers (youthful maximalism). Now let's count: 768 MB is used by Windows 7, plus 64-bit programs that also use more RAM. Thus, it turns out that you reduce the power of your hardware to a minimum. Therefore, it is better to install 32-bit Windows XP on such a computer or laptop.

By the way, some 64-bit applications are unstable. But such programs are becoming fewer and fewer.

Conclusion

If you have a powerful and modern computer with a 64-bit processor and more than 3 GB of RAM, then feel free to install Windows 7 x64. You can install XP on weak computers. By the way, there are 64-bit versions of Windows XP, which is very convenient if you have a laptop with 2-3 GB of RAM and a 64-bit processor.

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Article comments:

Thank you! Everything is simple and clear)

What kind of lamer wrote this article? He picked up the top tips and imagined himself to be a guru!!! "Why is it called x86 and not x32? Almost no one knows this" Initially processors Intel had 86 teams. Therefore, x86 refers only to Intel processors and their clones based on 86 instructions. This number has nothing to do with the bit depth since x64 processors also contain these commands. Everything else is also gag and lies. Windows x32 works great with RAM greater than 4G and even greater than 8G, and with 16G too. Take to for example windows server x32. The restriction was placed on small soft ones to expand the market.

The article is very informative, thank you.

Thanks to the author! Now I've moved up the user ladder another third of a step!! :)))

Thanks for the work!!! Very informative and useful article!!!+++

Thank you very much, everything became clear! Very useful article!

It is clear that everything is not clear!

But if I download a program, but they write to me that it is only for 64-bit systems. What does this mean and what should I do?

which Windows x86 or x64 to install, you need to look at the hardware, processor and motherboard and accordingly the operating system. Everything must support only one architecture. Either x86 or x64 because they are NOT COMPATIBLE with each other...

I used to have Windows7 32bit, I installed another win8 when I installed it, and of course I chose 64bit and it works fine)

X86 as such does not exist, there is x32, there is x64, there is i860 - the number of the first compatible processor. In general, the nominal value (X) in electronics designates contacts on connectors, respectively x32 - 32 input contacts, 64 - 64 contacts. But we live in Russia, be curious about what concept the famous IMHO has turned into. Get used to it!

clarification to the line of text "And vice versa, if you install x64 on a 32-bit computer, then everything will also work fine." - or the computer refuses to start during the first reboot when installing Windows

Artem, thank you, everything is specifically stated and clear

Thank you for the article.

Not a bad review. In general, there are a number of specifics with support for 32-bit applications on 64-bit ones. For example, wow64, although it allows you to run 32-bit, does not allow code injection. It is for this reason that most programs modifying Windows Explorer, do not start.

Good day everyone :) And to the author personally :) Thanks for the article, it helped me :)

Tell me, on a 64 bit processor with 3GB of RAM, which OS is better to use: 86 or 64

In fact, you can install a 64-bit system on 32-bit percent, because... 64bit OS can work in 32 mode

HOW can I install a 64-bit system on a computer with a 32-bit processor??? HOW? It just won't install!

I forgot to say, the name is formed from the two numbers that ended the names Intel processors early models - 8086, 80186, 80286 (i286), 80386 (i386), 80486 (i486). It’s better to buy AMD, they support both equally and for half the price they give out what Intel can barely show you for the same money

The article is nonsense, you cannot install x64 programs or an OS on x32 percent, these numbers represent the lengths of processor commands, most modern programs are 32-bit applications, a 64-bit processor has to recode the commands, because of this, if you run 32-bit bit application on a 64-bit processor, you can only use 2 gigs of Opera and the program will work one and a half times slower. The crisis game takes advantage of the x64 processors, but the crisis is omno. Article is garbage, mind blowing

Stanislav, I admit I exaggerated a little, but I described everything correctly. 32-bit OS only sees 4 gigs of RAM. In this case, part is reserved by hardware drivers. and therefore the 32-bit system uses only about 3.25GB. If you start the OS in "safe mode", the system will begin to see all 4 gigs, but this is only because the system boots bypassing driver loading. Therefore, if you install a 32-bit system on a computer with 8 gigs of RAM, it will turn out that the OS will see only 4 gigs maximum. This means that in order to use all 8GB, you need to install a 64-bit OS. So everything is written correctly in the article - I write articles only about what I am good at. Take a bite, aggressive visitor to our site :)

On a computer with 8GB of RAM, 5GB simply won't be used. Nonsense, the person has no idea what he is talking about and is misleading people.

My computer was 64-bit, but after that I changed Windows to 32? why?!

First, let's figure out what the bit depth (bit depth) of an architecture is.

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (CPU) processes information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more efficiently than a 32-bit system. Wikipedia has 2 pages about 32 (x86) and 64 bit architecture:

• 32 (x86) - a processor architecture with the same instruction set, first implemented in Intel processors.

  The name is derived from the two numbers that ended the names of early Intel processors - 8086, 80186, 80286 (i286), 80386 (i386), 80486 (i486). During its existence, the set of commands has constantly expanded, maintaining compatibility with previous generations.

  Besides Intel architecture was also implemented in processors from other manufacturers: AMD, VIA, Transmeta, IDT, etc. Currently, there is another name for the 32-bit version of the architecture - IA-32 (Intel Architecture - 32).

• 64 - 64-bit extension, instruction set, for the x86 architecture, developed by AMD, allowing programs to run in 64-bit mode.

  It is an extension of the x86 architecture with almost complete backward compatibility. Microsoft and Oracle use the term "x64" to refer to this instruction set, but the file directory for the architecture in Microsoft Windows distributions is called "amd64" (cf. "i386" for the x86 architecture).

  The x86-64 instruction set is currently supported:

1. AMD - Z-series processors (for example, AMD Z-03), C-series (for example, AMD C-60), G-series (for example, AMD T56N), E-series (for example, AMD E-450), E1 , E2, A4, A6, A8, A10, FX, Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon II, Phenom, Phenom II, Turion 64, Turion 64 X2, Turion II, Opteron, FX, latest Sempron models;
2. Intel (with minor simplifications) called "Intel 64" (previously known as "EM64T" and "IA-32e") in later models Pentium processors 4, as well as in Pentium D, Pentium Extreme Edition, Celeron D, Celeron G-series, Celeron B-series, Pentium Dual-Core, Pentium T-series, Pentium P-series, Pentium G-series, Pentium B-series, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Atom (not all) and Xeon;
3. VIA - Nano, Eden, QuadCore processors.

Yes, all this is difficult to understand. I’ll explain in my own words, the 64-bit OS architecture is an improved 32 (86) bit architecture. It has newer instruction sets for calculations and can also handle larger amounts of RAM. If we take the Windows OS family, then a 32-bit OS can actually handle only 3.2 gigabytes of RAM, and 64 theoretically up to 4 terabytes. What does this tell us?

What to choose: 32 or 64?

About the fact that it is advisable to install the OS based on the amount of RAM. For example, if you have 3GB of RAM or less, it is better for you to install a 32-bit system, and if you have more than 3GB, it is better to install a 64-bit system. But don't forget about what processor you have. In our service, we have long noticed that if the processor has low frequency(from 1 to 2.4 GHz), then on a 64-bit OS the computer runs slowly, even if it has 4 or more GB of RAM installed. According to our service, it is better to install 32-bit systems and no more than 4GB of RAM on such computers. Besides large manufacturers laptops with low-frequency processors are also installed with 32-bit systems from the factory, even with 4GB of memory. Installing the 64-bit version of Windows requires a processor that can run 64-bit Windows. Benefits of using 64-bit operating system are especially obvious when working with large amounts of random access memory (RAM), such as 4 GB or more. In such cases, a 64-bit operating system handles large amounts of memory more efficiently than a 32-bit system. A 64-bit operating system works faster when running multiple programs at the same time and switching between them frequently. In any case, what to install is up to you, and we will answer your questions below.

How can I tell if my computer has 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

To use Windows or determine which version of Windows your computer is running (32-bit or 64-bit), follow these steps.

Open the System component. To do this, click the Start button, right-click Computer, and select Properties. In Windows 8, open Control Panel and go to System.

In the System section, you can view the system type.

If the computer is running Windows control XP, follow these steps.

Click the Start button.

• If the window that appears does not say “x64 Edition,” your computer is running a 32-bit version of Windows XP.

  If "x64 Edition" is listed under System, your computer is running a 64-bit version of Windows XP.

How can I determine if my computer can run a 64-bit version of Windows?

For a computer to run a 64-bit version of Windows, it must have a 64-bit processor. To find out if your processor supports 64-bit computing in Windows, follow these steps:

1. In search type MSINFO, or
   

Open the Performance Counters and Tools section. To do this, click the Start button and select the Control Panel component (in 8 we immediately go to the Control Panel). In the search box, type Performance Counters and Tools, and then select Performance Counters and Tools from the list of results.

Perform one of the following actions.

• In Windows, select the Show and print detailed information about your computer and system performance.

In the System section, you can see what type of operating system you are using (under System Type) and whether you can use a 64-bit version of Windows (under 64-bit support). (If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, the 64-bit support section does not appear.)

To determine whether a computer running Windows XP can run the 64-bit version of Windows, follow these steps:

Click the Start button.

Right-click My Computer and select Properties.

• If the System section says "x64 Edition", the processor supports running a 64-bit version of Windows.

  If there is no "x64 Edition" label, the processor may also be compatible with 64-bit versions of Windows. To pinpoint this possibility, download and run the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Windows 7 migration advisor.

Can I upgrade from 32-bit Windows to 64-bit Windows, or move from 64-bit Windows to 32-bit Windows?

If you want to migrate from 32-bit Windows to 64-bit Windows or vice versa, you should back up your files and select full installation Windows. Then you need to restore files and reinstall programs.

Notes

To install the 64-bit version of Windows on a computer running 32-bit Windows, you will need to boot the computer using the 64-bit Windows installation disc or files.

If a computer that boots with a 64-bit version of Windows installation disc or files does not support that version of Windows, a manager error message will be displayed Windows boot. Instead you will need to use installation disk or 32-bit Windows files.

Transfer Tool Windows data does not move files from 64-bit Windows to 32-bit Windows. If you are using a 64-bit version of Windows XP, you will need to manually transfer the files to external media.

Can I run 32-bit programs and drivers on a 64-bit computer?

Most programs created for 32-bit Windows versions, will also work on 64-bit versions of Windows. Some antiviruses are exceptions.

Device drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows do not work on computers running 64-bit versions of Windows. If you try to install a printer or other device with a 32-bit driver, it will not work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows.

Can I run 64-bit programs and drivers on a 32-bit computer?

If a program is specifically designed to run on 64-bit Windows, it will not run on 32-bit Windows. (However, most programs designed for 32-bit versions of Windows also work on 64-bit versions of Windows.)

Device drivers designed for 64-bit versions of Windows do not work on computers running 32-bit versions of Windows.

Do I need 64-bit device drivers when running 64-bit Windows?

Yes. All devices require 64-bit drivers to run on 64-bit Windows. Drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows do not work on computers running 64-bit versions of Windows.

What are the disadvantages of 64 bit Windows?

• Stutters when there is a small amount of RAM.
• It is difficult to find drivers for old devices, for example, printers, scanners, TV tuners, etc.
• Some older programs and games do not work on 64-bit architecture.
• Some old Windows, for example Windows 7 Starter cannot run on a 64-bit system.

Well, that’s all we wanted to tell you in this article, we hope you’ll do it right choice! If you need good computer tips, click on the link and learn more about your computer.

If we missed something in the article, write to us in the comments and we will add it. Also, if the material was useful to you don't skimp on likes!

Just a couple of years ago, most home computers ran a 32-bit version of Windows, and the 64-bit version was used exclusively by professionals (for example, for resource-intensive video editing programs). At the same time, processors with 64-bit architecture have been produced since 2003, and two years later Windows XP entered the market in a 64-bit version. However, on most new computers, 64-bit versions of Windows began to be installed only after emergence of Windows 7. What advantages does 64-bit architecture provide? Does it really work faster? What problems will users encounter? Read more about this.

Benefits of a 64-bit system

The bit size may be 32 or 64 bits, but both versions of Windows 7 look the same on the screen. The capabilities of the systems are also identical: the kit includes the same additional programs, such as Windows Media Player or Paint. However, there are still significant differences under the hood.

• Increased operating speed. With 64-bit version Windows computer can process twice as much data per unit of time as with 32-bit. At the same time, it uses the advanced capabilities of 64-bit processors, which are capable of processing 64 bits of data (8 bytes) per clock cycle. Therefore, programs optimized for 64-bit OSes can work faster than their counterparts for processors that process only 32 bits (4 bytes) per clock cycle.
• More RAM. 32-bit versions of Windows can use a maximum of 4 GB of memory, and not all of it is available to programs. For example, 1 GB is occupied by the operating system itself, and up to 1 GB (depending on the PC) is reserved for video memory. So there is no more than 2 GB left for the programs themselves. If they are "gluttonous", there may not be enough memory.

There is no such limitation for 64-bit versions of Windows. The maximum working memory in Windows 7 Home Premium has increased to 16 GB; Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise versions can even work with 192 GB. Thanks to more affordable Windows memory less often you have to unload sections of programs to a relatively slow HDD(V swap file), so the computer runs faster.

Computer requirements

• CPU. The most important prerequisite for running a 64-bit operating system is a processor with 64-bit architecture. Manufacturer AMD processors calls this technology AMD64, and its competitor Intel calls it EM64T.
• Processors with 64-bit architecture have already become the rule rather than the exception. Since about 2006, most new computers and laptops have been equipped with them, although many still run 32-bit Windows. You can find out which processor is installed on your PC using the CPU-Z program (see figure below).
• RAM. 64-bit Windows only makes sense if the computer has at least 4 GB of RAM.
• Otherwise, 64-bit versions of the OS do not impose any special requirements on hardware (for example, HDD or video card) compared to 32-bit versions.

If 32-bit programs run on 64-bit Windows, they are marked accordingly in the Task Manager (*32). -Task Manager can be launched by pressing the key combination Ctrl+Shift+Esc<

How to find out the operating system version?

It's very simple: click on the "Start" button, then right-click on "Computer" and then select "Properties". In the window that opens, opposite “System type” you will see the system version.

Disadvantages of a 64-bit system

• Need new drivers . All devices require appropriate drivers for 64-bit Windows 7 (analogs for a 32-bit OS will not work). For modern devices this is usually not a problem, but for older models many manufacturers do not develop 64-bit versions of drivers. So before you upgrade to 64-bit Windows, go to the device manufacturer's web page and make sure that a 64-bit version of the driver is available for your hardware.
• More memory required. Many data structures in 64-bit programs are 8 bytes (64 bits) in size. Therefore, programs take up 10-20% more hard drive space than the corresponding 32-bit versions with 4-byte structures. The need for RAM for 64-bit software also increases - by about 15 percent.

Does Windows 7 work on netbooks?

The first netbook processors, such as the Intel Atom N270, were not 64-bit. Only with the advent of the Pineview family (N450 and higher) did Atom processors begin to support 64-bit operations and, accordingly, 64-bit OSes. However, most netbooks were equipped with only 1 GB of RAM, so even with an upgrade to 2 GB, they barely met the minimum requirements of 64-bit Windows 7. That is, regular netbooks do not fulfill one of the main conditions for effective use of a 64-bit OS, which is presence of at least 4 GB of RAM.

The best five programs for a 64-bit OS

These programs work perfectly on a 64-bit operating system and are in high demand among users.

• 7-ZIP An archiver program designed to compress files. It can be useful, for example, when you need to copy many large files to a USB drive.
• Nitro PDF Reader A real “Swiss knife” for working with PDF files. This simple program makes it easy to create, view and edit documents of this format.
• nHancer The utility provides access to the settings of the NVIDIA graphics card. Works with all common video card models and even SLI configurations. You can select settings profiles for different games.
• ProgDVB If your PC has a digital TV tuner, you can use ProgDVB to watch TV programs and record them to your hard drive. The program works with TV tuners from different manufacturers. In addition to the free version, there is an extended paid version.
• Blender A program for working with three-dimensional objects. It includes tools for modeling, animation, rendering, video post-processing, and creating interactive games.

Do 32-bit programs run on 64-bit Windows?

A conversion subsystem called Windows-on-Windows 64-bit (WoW64) allows 32-bit software to run side by side on a 64-bit operating system (see figure above). With its help, most 32-bit programs work flawlessly but, unfortunately, there are exceptions. Difficulties typically arise with programs in the following categories.

• Backup. Backup programs directly work with Windows system folders. But WoW64 sometimes redirects 32-bit software access to other folders. If the program does not take this into account, the backup may be incomplete or even erroneous.
• Windows optimization. Old optimization programs designed for 32-bit Windows cannot be run on 64-bit Windows 7. Sometimes they can do more harm than help.
• Antiviruses. If you need reliable protection for your PC, use only 64-bit versions of antiviruses and similar programs on 64-bit Windows. Outdated 32-bit security software is unable to monitor all system folders, which means it may miss malware designed specifically to attack 64-bit Windows. Modern antivirus packages from well-known manufacturers, such as Kaspersky Lab, Norton or Symantec, are suitable for both 32- and 64-bit Windows.

Advice. If a program under 64-bit Windows is malfunctioning, installing the latest version and all updates from the manufacturer’s website often helps get rid of them. In addition, in the Windows 7 Compatibility Center you can check whether your devices and programs are compatible with a 64-bit system.

Programs run faster on 64-bit Windows

Some 64-bit programs were simply converted (“ported”) for use in 64-bit Windows, but essentially remained 32-bit. For example, although they have 64-bit data structures, they still store 32 bits of data. Such programs, as a rule, are not able to work faster.

64-bit programs only realize their benefits if they are designed and optimized for use on 64-bit Windows from the very beginning. In the ComputerBild test, such programs ran on average 13% faster than their 32-bit counterparts.

Old 32-bit software runs even slower on 64-bit Windows than on a 32-bit system; the reason is conversion by the WoW64 subsystem.

List of 64-bit programs

Finding such programs is not yet as easy as we would like. The table below shows the most important 64-bit programs, many of them are free and can be easily downloaded from the developer’s website.

A simple computer user can work for a long time with the installed Windows operating system and not even think about what its bit depth is. However, as time passes, he will need to install a program on his computer that can only work with a 64-bit version of Windows, and this will cause problems if the current operating system is x32 or x86 bit. In this regard, the question may arise: how to find out Windows bit depth? Let's answer it and take a closer look at the differences between the 32- and 64-bit versions of the operating system.

The basic versions of the Windows operating system were developed a long time ago, and with the release of new software options from Microsoft, they were only further developed. In fact, 32-bit (32-bit) operating systems are already a thing of the past, and they are rarely used, only in cases where the computer’s hardware does not support 64-bit Windows.

The bits themselves, in relation to the Windows operating system, are the way the computer's central processing unit processes information. RAM is used as the information being processed, and 32-bit Windows can work with no more than 3.5 GB of RAM, while on 64-bit this limit is about 200 GB. With the development of the power of programs and their demands on RAM, computers began to en masse switch to a 64-bit operating system.

The main disadvantage of a 64-bit system is its demands on the computer's central processor. If a PC has a 32-bit central processor, it will in no way be able to run a 64-bit operating system, meaning it cannot support more than 3.5 GB of RAM.

Many computer users who choose the operating system bit size when installing Windows are misled by the lack of a 32-bit version. This is due to the fact that the 32-bit version of Windows for a 64-bit processor is designated as x86, not x32. You can figure out what this is connected with only if you study the processes of interaction between the operating system and computer hardware. The user just needs to remember that 32-bit and 86-bit operating systems are practically no different, and only the 64-bit version of the software can handle more than 3.5 GB of RAM.

If your computer's central process supports a 64-bit version of Windows, you must select that version during installation. It should be understood that the 32-bit version of the operating system is a thing of the past, and here are just some confirmations of this:

After the 64-bit version of Windows is released, you should install the 32-bit version only if the processor or drivers for it do not support working with a 64-bit operating system.

How to find out the bitness of Windows installed on your computer?

You can determine the bit depth of the version of Windows installed on your computer using a dozen third-party applications. There are ways to find out the x32, x64 or x86 version of the operating system installed on your computer using standard Windows tools.

First way

You can find out the Windows bit depth on your computer through the system information menu:

Second way