[GRLUG] 32bit vs. 64bit [Was: Random questions]

[Bob Kline]

On Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 10:16 PM, Michael Mol <mikemol at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 9:34 PM, Adam Tauno Williams
> <awilliam at whitemice.org> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Bob Kline <bob.kline at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>I still use a 32-bit version of Linux.
> >>What's to be gained or lost by going
> >>to a 64-bit version?
> >
> >
> > Effectively nothing.  Pointers are larger and often scalar values
> default to larger - so the exact same applications consume more resources.
>  On the other hand you get more registers, a larger address space [with
> somewhat less 'cobbling'] and a few new operations.  For a typical desktop
> the difference is really a wash;  possibly a small negative of RAM is
> under-provisioned.
>
> If you're using framework-heavy code like browsers, KDE or GNOME,
> those extra registers are helpful.
>
> Seems like switching makes sense
then.  I assume enough people use
the 64-bit versions now for them to
be as well debugged as the 32-bit?

   -- Bob
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