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Originally Posted by mattytun Hi is there a way of finding out |
Dear mattytun,
Hi there! Now that the topic of 32 bit and 64 bit has popped up, let me take advantage of it!
In your computer, you have several 'items' that, normally, you don't concern yourself about. One of those is the 'data buss'. It doesn't go across town or anything like that, but it does provide transportation. Basically, It connects memory to the rest of the system including the processor, which does all the thinking in your computer.
The 'data buss' is used to move the data around inside your computer. In a 32-bit computer, the width (or size) of the data buss is 32-bits wide. A 64-bit buss is twice as wide so the system can move twice as much data around. Being able to process more data means a faster system -- but only for specific things. Normal office productivity and web surfing will show no advantages at all, whereas graphics processing and scientific calculations will go much faster.
64-bit is being touted as the up and coming technology for computing. The downside with 64-bit is the general lack of stable software to run on these Ferrari of the computer world. The entire system has to be designed and built for the wider data buss, too, so the system will cost more.
Correct me if i am wrong ,but most 32-bit software will run on a 64-bit system.
Since a 64 bit system costs more, one may wonder why did i buy it in the first place? I suppose the question now is ,"Who would benefit for buying a 64-bit system?" The answer: mostly businesses, universities, scientific groups, and government. If you produce videos, computer art, or develop programs, 64-bit systems will be helpful. But for the home user, 64-bit is currently a bit overkill. You won't see faster activities like writing, spreadsheet processing, or web browsing so (in my opinion), save your cash for something else (like a bigger hard drive or more RAM).

