COMPUTING FUNDAMENTAL

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32 BIT VS 64 BIT: KEY DIFFERENCES

What is 32-Bit?
32-bit is a type of CPU architecture which is capable of transferring 32 bits of data. It is the amount of
information which can be processed by your CPU whenever it performs an operation.

What is 64-Bit?
In computer architecture, 64 bit refers to the number of bits which should be processed or transmitted in
parallel or the number of bits used for a single element in a data format. A 64-bit microprocessor allows
computers to process data and memory address which are represented by 64 bits.

KEY DIFFERENCE

• 32-bit processors have 4 GB addressable space while 64-bit processors have 16 GB addressable
space.
• 32-bit systems limited to 3.2 GB of RAM while 64-bit systems will enable you to store up to 17
Billion GB of RAM
• 32-bit processors need a 32-bit operating system whereas 64-bit processors can run either on 32
or 64 64-bit operating systems.
• 32-bit processors is not an ideal option for stress testing and multi-tasking whereas 64-bit
processors are best for performing multi-tasking and stress testing.
• 32-bit operating systems and applications require 32-bit CPUs while 64-bit OS demands 64-bit
CPU

History of 32-Bit
Here, are important landmarks from the history of 32-bit processors:

• The 32-bit processor was the main processor which was widely used all over the world in the early
1990s.
• In 2000 AMD processor and Intel Pentium processors also start using 32-bit processors.

History of 64-Bit
Here, are important landmarks from the history of 64-bit processors:

• 64-bit CPUs have been used in supercomputers since the 1970s

• It is used in RISC ( reduced instruction set computing) based workstations and server in the early
1990s.
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• The first AMD64-based processor, the Opteron, was released in April 2003.
• ARM architecture targeting smartphones and tablet computers first sold on September 2013

Difference between 32-bit vs. 64-bit Operating System

The difference between 32-bit and 64-bit processors are:
Parameter 32-bit processors 64-bit processors
64-bit processors have 16 GB
Addressable space It has 4 GB addressable space
addressable space
64-bit applications and programs 32-bit applications and programs
Application support
won’t work will work
It can run on 32 and the 64-bit
OS support Need a 32-bit operating system.
operating system.
Not an ideal option for stress Works best for performing multi-
Support for multi-tasking
testing and multi-tasking. tasking and stress testing.
64-bit OS demands 64-bit CPU,
32-bit operating systems and
OS and CPU requirement and 64-bit applications require
applications require 32-bit CPUs
64-bit OS and CPU.
Windows XP Professional,
Support Windows 7, 8 Vista, XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7,
System available
and, Linux. Windows 8,Windows 10, Linux,
and Mac OS X.
32-bit systems limited to 3.2 GB
of RAM 32 bit Windows. It
64-bit systems will enable you to
Memory limits addresses limitation doesn’t
store up to 17 Billion GB of RAM.
allow you to use full 4GB of
Physical memory space.

Advantages of 32-Bit Processor

Here are important benefits\pros of 32-bit processor:

• The only advantage that one can mention is that it is compatible with all the older devices which
are developed in early 2000 and late 1990.

Advantages of 64-Bit Processor

Here are benefits\pros of using a 64-bit processor:

• Increased program performance and helps you to take advantage of a 64-bit operating system
• Enhanced security feature
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• Windows 64-bit with a modern 64-bit processor allows you to take additional protection which is not
available to 32-bit users.
• 64-bit processor offers security protections, which is not limited to hardware kernel patch
protection.
• 64-bit processor allows you to create 16TB of virtual memory. Although 8 TB is allotted for user
processes and 8 TB reserve to perform kernel processes.
• 64-bit processors offer advanced capabilities. It allows you to store 264 computational values.
• It is possible to have up to 16.8 terabytes of RAM on a 64-bit computer.
• 64-bit processors offer dual-core, six-core, quad-core, and eight-core versions
• Multiple cores support to helps you to increased number of calculations that can be performed,
which can increase the processing power to makes your computer to run faster.
• Software programs which need various types of to function smoothly can operate efficiently on the
multi-core 64-bit processors.
• Allows you to access virtual memory per process.

Disadvantages of 32-Bit Processor

Here are important cons/ drawbacks of using a 32-Bit operating system:

• The biggest drawback is that the vendors no longer develop applications for 32-Bit operating
systems.
• Many processors require a 64-Bit operating system.
• Manufacturers often do not offer 32-Bit driver versions for their hardware due to a lack of market
demand or their product.

Disadvantages of 64-Bit Processor

Here, are some possible drawback of using a 64-bit processor:

• It is highly unlikely that 64-bit drivers will be available for older systems and hardware.
• Some old 32-bit software doesn’t make the transition to 64-bit smoothly.

Should I Upgrade to 64-Bit Computers?

If you want to consider replacing your old computers to get better performance, you should better upgrade
to 64-bit computers if your software is compatible with a 64-bit processor.

Most computers sold today will have 64-bit processors and more and more software which is available in a
64-bit version. Therefore, you must make sure all of the software you wants should able to run in a 64-bit
version.
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System requirements

The system requirements or software requirements is a listing of what software programs or hardware devices
are required to operate the program or game properly. System requirements are printed on their packaging, as
shown in the image of the Windows 7 system requirements, or are found on the Internet.

Example of system requirements

Below is an example of the Windows 7 system requirements, with sections of the system requirements linked to the
related definitions.

• 1 GHz processor or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64).

• 1 GB of RAM for 32-bit or 2 GB of RAM for 64-bit.
• 16 GB of hard drive space for 32-bit or 20 GB for 64-bit.
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher.

How do I know if my computer meets the requirements?

In order to know if your computer meets the system requirements, you'll need to know what hardware is installed in
your computer. If you need help identifying the hardware in your computer, see any of the following links.

How do I determine the type and speed of my processor?

There are multiple ways to determine the manufacturer and speed of a computer processor. The following sections
contain details on various methods.
Windows users
If you are running Microsoft Windows, you can determine the processor brand, model or type, and speed by pressing
the Windows key and Pause at the same time. Doing so opens a System window similar to one of the examples
below.
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Windows 10 System Properties.

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Windows 8 System Properties.

Windows 7 System Properties.

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In the System properties window, the manufacturer of the processor (e.g., Intel or AMD), the model of the processor
(e.g., Core 2), and the speed (e.g., 1.86 GHz) are displayed. For newer versions of Windows, it also displays the
System type, like "64-bit Operating System, on x64-based processor" in the Windows 8 example.

The Windows 8 computer has an "Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40 GHz 3.40 GHz." Intel is the processor
brand, Core i7-2600 is the processor model, and 3.40 GHz is the processor speed.

macOS users
If you are running macOS, you can determine the processor type and speed by following the steps below.

1. In the menu bar at the top of the screen, click the Apple icon to open the Apple menu.

2. In the Apple menu, select About this Mac.

3. The system information window opens. Under Overview, you can see your processor type and
speed.
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What if my computer doesn't meet the system requirements?

If your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements, the program you are attempting to install will not
run and may not even install. If your computer meets the minimum requirements but does not meet the suggested
requirements, the program is going to work, but it may be slow.

In some situations, you can upgrade your computer to help meet the requirements. For example, upgrading RAM,
bigger hard drive, or a better video card can all help a computer meet the system requirements. Your computer may
also support upgrading the processor, but in many cases, it requires that a new motherboard be installed. If the
processor does not meet the requirements, we recommend considering getting a new computer.

Hardware requirements
The hardware requirements are the requirements of a hardware device. Most hardware only has operating system
requirements or compatibility. For example, a printer may be compatible with Windows XP but not compatible with
newer versions of Windows like Windows 10, Linux, or the Apple macOS.

If a hardware device is not compatible with your computer, it is up to the manufacturer to release drivers.
Unfortunately, many manufacturers only release updated drivers to fix problems with older drivers and often do not
release drivers for newer operating systems or alternative operating systems. If a hardware device doesn't have
drivers for your operating system, the only solution may be to get a more up-to-date replacement device.