There is a steady trend in the modern computer market: instead of 32-bit operating systems, 64-bit operating systems are gaining popularity. Accordingly, PC hardware manufacturers are starting to release hardware adapted to the specifics of their respective software products. What are the features of a 64-bit OS? Which OS is characterized by higher performance - a 32-bit system or 64? What is better for the modern user?
What is the difference between 32 and 64 bits?
First, a few facts. Before deciding which type of OS is preferable - a 32-bit system or 64, which is better of them - we will examine how they actually differ.
Digital information is transmitted in bits, which are zeros or ones. Using 1 bit, you can thus encrypt 2 commands. In turn, with the help of 32 bits, the number of possible commands increases by several tens of degrees. When it comes to 64 bits - even more. Thus, it becomes obvious, for example, which Windows - 32 or 64-bit, is faster. Microsoft releases OS versions of both types. Are there any fundamental differences between them in the aspect of the interface and other nuances of work?
Are there any differences between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems in terms of use?
Relatively speaking, which "seven" is better - 32 or 64-bit, in terms of ease of management? In principle, there is no difference in this aspect between these versions of Windows. All the differences between them come down to team support. Processing of these is carried out almost imperceptibly for the user. As we noted above, 64-bit commands predetermine a higher bit rate of digital data. However, this parameter is not the only criterion for the effectiveness of a computer system. A number of other aspects of the OS are important - such as, for example, stability, versatility, resource consumption, the level of support for various hardware components.
We’ll explore which OS has the most advantages for the modern user - a 32-bit system or 64. Which is better from the point of view of launching popular games and programs?
Comparison of 32 and 64-bit OS: stability
The stability of the OS is primarily determined by the quality of interaction between the corresponding operating system and the hardware components of the PC. In many ways, its level depends on the compatibility of the OS with the drivers that are produced by the manufacturer of a particular device. In this aspect, the difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit system can be significant, and a brand that has released some hardware component for a 32-bit OS may need time to prepare and test a driver for a 64-bit operating system.
Note that the world's leading hardware manufacturers generally successfully avoid situations in which the owner of a 64-bit OS cannot find the required software for the purchased device. But this thesis is valid mainly in relation to new devices. Those that were purchased before the mass distribution of 64-bit PCs - around the beginning of the 2010s - cannot always be installed correctly due to the lack of relevant drivers.
Comparison of 32 and 64-bit OS: versatility
An operating system that belongs to the category of 32 or 64-bit solutions requires installation on a PC, which can ensure the functioning of the corresponding OS. That is, you can correctly install a 32-bit OS only on a PC that has a 32-bit processor. The same pattern is also characteristic for 64-bit OS. In this sense, there is generally no mutual compatibility between operating systems, and their universality becomes limited.
Resource intensity
The operation of any OS requires hardware resources - primarily the computing power of the processor, as well as the amount of RAM. Which system is better - 32 or 64-bit - in terms of resource intensity? We noted above that a bit is a unit of data transfer. If we are talking about large amounts of information, then, accordingly, additional resources will be required to work with it. Therefore, it is quite natural that 32-bit operating systems are much less resource intensive than 64-bit ones. If, for example, 2 GB of RAM for a computer with a 32-bit operating system is, in principle, considered a normal indicator, then for the full functioning of a 64-bit OS this resource is minimal. It is desirable that the amount of RAM is 4 GB or more.
As for processor resources, in principle, when it comes to 64-bit chips, their structure contains the necessary technological components in order to satisfy the OS’s need for computing speed. Therefore, it cannot be said that the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows are fundamentally different in terms of CPU consumption.
Hardware Support
We noted above that for the 64-bit OS to work correctly, the current driver must be on the computer. But their presence guarantees the stability of the PC, primarily at the software level. It is also necessary that the OS have hardware compatibility with key hardware components. As for such devices as, for example, a graphics accelerator, a network card, and a printer, it doesn’t matter which OS is on the computer from the point of view of compatibility with those.
In turn, when it comes to supporting RAM modules, the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems can be significant. The fact is that 32-bit operating systems do not support RAM modules with a capacity of more than 4 GB. In turn, 64-bit operating systems are fully compatible with those.
Another thing is whether in practice the user will have to use memory resources exceeding 4 GB. If a PC is used mainly for working with the Internet and office applications, then even half of the indicated amount of RAM may not be needed. Another thing is if the PC is used for games. Consider which OS may be preferable in this case.
What OS is better for games?
What is the best system for the game - 32 or 64-bit? Given the full hardware and software compatibility of the installed OS with the hardware, higher performance, due to the objective reasons that we have indicated above, in the general case it will have a 64-bit OS.
But this rule has an exception: in the program code algorithms in the game itself, support for 64-bit commands should be provided. If this criterion is not met, then the user will most likely not notice the practical difference in the comfort of the gameplay.
What OS is better for applications?
Which OS, in turn, is more optimal for running applications - a 32-bit system or 64? What's better? In this case, the pattern is approximately the same as in the case of games.
If the user has at his disposal a 64-bit PC, and the program code of the application involved implements algorithms for processing 64-bit commands, then the corresponding software will work faster. If not, then a person will not feel much difference in computer performance.
"Megahertz" in priority?
Among modern users, the point of view is widespread that a higher PC speed can be achieved not by "doubling" the bits - that is, switching from 32-bit processors and OS to 64-bit, but by optimizing hardware resources directly affecting PC performance. Such as, for example, the processor frequency.
According to many experts and users, in particular, replacing a 32-bit chip operating at 1.2 GHz with one that works at 2.4 GHz may be more effective than replacing it with a 64-bit chip that works at the same frequency. In some cases, it is possible to overclock a 32-bit processor - so that the actual speed of its operation increases more noticeably than when replacing the chip with a 64-bit one.
Such an approach can be all the more justified if the user does not use programs and games adapted to 64-bit commands in his work. Thus, the practical significance of replacing 32-bit software and hardware components with 64-bit ones does not always become obvious.
Summary
So which system is better - 32 or 64-bit? Objectively, digital data transmission when using 64-bit commands is faster, and therefore the corresponding OS will in general be more productive than 32-bit. But its successful use requires a PC to meet a number of conditions: the presence of a 64-bit processor (otherwise a 64-bit OS simply cannot be installed on a computer), hardware support for the operating mode in 64-bit mode, as well as the presence of the necessary drivers for it, software compatibility used on a computer with 64-bit commands.
32-bit and 64-bit PC reviews
If a 32-bit processor is installed on the PC, then only the 32-bit OS will be enabled. But with sufficient hardware performance on the computer, for example, at a high processor frequency, as well as when using a powerful graphics module, as many users note, you may not even notice the difference between using one or another OS even in modern games.
If you need more performance, then, as we noted above, a more effective approach may be to increase the relevant indicators - by replacing the chip or overclocking it than installing a 64-bit processor. Many gamers discussing the nuances of optimizing PC performance on thematic online portals prefer not to wonder which operating system is better, 32-bit or 64-bit. They believe that the most important are the actual indicators characterizing the performance of individual PC hardware components.