Quite often, when buying a computer or laptop without pre-installed operating systems on them, users have to install Windows on their own. But sometimes it is completely unclear what bit depth to choose for the future system. In order for your terminal to work at its full potential, you need to clearly understand the difference between a 32-bit system and a 64-bit one. To find out all the intricacies of the functioning of an OS with a different architecture, you will have to take a short digression into history, as well as dwell on some important aspects relating not only to the software part, but also to the hardware components.
Difference between 32-bit Microsoft Windows from 64-bit: General Provisions
If you look at the graphical interface of any of the well-known Windows systems related exclusively to one generation, outwardly they do not differ in absolutely nothing. However, the software that the user is trying to install on a computer or laptop may not always work correctly, and if the installed software is incompatible with the OS, the applications will not only not function, but will not be installed at all.
It is widely believed in the world that the main difference between a 32-bit system and a 64-bit system (Windows XP and higher) is that systems with the x64 architecture are more productive due to the support of a lot more information processed during the work. But such processing is carried out not by the software components of the OS itself, but by the hardware installed on the computer. That is why, in order to fully understand the difference between Windows 8.1 32 bits and 64 bits (however, like any other modifications, for which there are two versions), you need to pay attention to the main components of the hardware.
A little bit about processors
The heart of any computer is the central processor, since it is precisely on it that the lion's share of computing is entrusted. At one time, 32-bit architecture was developed by Intel and was first used in processors of the 80386 series, which later received the designation i386. And the bit capacity itself on the marking of the processor began to be designated as x86.
The architecture of 64 bits by modern standards was recently implemented by AMD. In connection with the expanded capabilities of processors, it was necessary to use all their potential, and that is why there was a need to create operating systems and software that could fully utilize the computing capabilities of the CPU. But what is the difference between a 32-bit system and a 64-bit system in relation to processors? The main problem when processing program requests is that the information needs to be stored somewhere. And RAM has nothing to do with it. The processors themselves have a special ultra-fast memory, presented in the form of peculiar cells and often called registers. The difference is obvious: one cell when using the 64-bit architecture can fit twice as much information (as is already clear, 64 bits versus 32). But how does the processor work?
In one cycle, when using the 32-bit structure, the processor can process only 4 bytes of information at the maximum (8 bits x 4 = 32 bits). If the block contains more than 32 bits, the processor needs to repeat the cycle or several. With a 64-bit architecture, the transition to the next cycle will be required only if the block exceeds 64 bits. However, even data processing involving several transitions is much faster (just by reducing the number of cycles).
Communication processor with RAM
Another difference between a 32-bit system and a 64-bit system is also related to RAM, since it takes a direct part in the processing of information. The CPU addresses its addresses, but the addresses themselves are stored in the very ultrafast memory. Thus, with a 32-bit capacity, the processor can only access memory addresses with a total number of 2 ^ 32 degrees, and when using a 64-bit structure, 2 ^ 64 degrees.
Based on this, it is not difficult to conclude about the maximum supported amount of RAM. 2 ^ 32 degrees is 4 GB, and 2 ^ 64 degrees - already 16 Eb (exabyte). Of course, this is all theory, because such volumes of RAM have not yet been created (although, again, theoretically, this is possible). In addition, there is no need for it for the reason that today there is not a single software product for which it would be necessary to use such huge capacities. Thus, if you install an operating system with a capacity of x86 on a computer, you cannot use more than 4 GB of RAM, no matter how many additional brackets you install there (the system simply does not "see" them). In the case of x64 systems, you can set the bar at least ad infinitum. In addition, despite a maximum of 4 GB for 32-bit systems, in fact, only 3 GB is available! But this is already applied specifically to operating systems.
As for the OS itself in the form of software (for example, Windows 10), the difference between a 32-bit system and a 64-bit one lies in the fact that the x86 architecture can use maximum RAM, while x64 can not.
It is just about the fact that theoretically a 64-bit OS, in theory, should work with a capacity of 16 Eb, but in practice the limit is only 192 GB.
additional characteristics
Among other things, the difference between the 32-bit system of Windows 7 from the 64-bit system (or the OS of other generations) can also appear at the software level. So, for example, for the system cache in x86 systems, it can be reserved at a maximum of 860 MB, while in 64-bit the supported volume reaches 1 TB.
Another characteristic feature of x64 systems is the presence of built-in DEP protection, the main purpose of which is to prevent the execution of unknown software applets in unused memory locations.
Finally, on x64 systems, there is a Kernel Patch Protection tool, somewhat reminiscent of the previous function, but its purpose is to block making changes to the kernel of the system and prevent data processing at the hardware rather than the software level, which is often applied to drivers that do not have digital signatures.
And the last one. Despite the fact that if there is 8 GB of RAM in 64-bit systems, virtual memory can not be used at all (requests will be sent directly to RAM with processing of loaded components, and not stored on the hard disk when the swap file is used), theoretically, the size of virtual memory can be increased to 8 Tb. Of course, there is absolutely no sense in this, nevertheless ...
File systems
One of the most controversial issues for all users is understanding the file system used to install Windows with a different architecture. The most common today are FAT32 and NTFS.
But the first one has a bit capacity of 32 bits and can work with file objects whose size does not exceed 4 GB. There are no such restrictions for NTFS. Even when installing Windows with a 32-bit architecture, but using NTFS, computer performance increases quite a lot. This is achieved due to the "smart" distribution of disk space. FAT32 is considered, in a sense, a morally obsolete structure, but sometimes you cannot do without it. And this is due to the processes of installing the operating system, when some USB drive is used as the media.
Understanding BIOS and UEFI Priorities
Primary input / output systems (an outdated BIOS and a newer version of UEFI) also play an important role.
And the point here is not even in their direct purpose (recognition of hardware, storing information about it, etc.), but in the fact that they are very closely related to file structures that can be located on installation media or on hard drives. The explanation here is quite simple. If Windows is installed from under UEFI, the removable media must have the FAT32 file structure, since the primary system does not recognize the NTFS media.
You can use both in the BIOS, but usually problems arise already at the installation stage, when the installer reports that it is impossible to install to the selected partition.
Section Styles
In the event of the above error, the section must be converted from GPT to MBR, and vice versa. But you can only work with MBR (master boot records) on an OS with x86 resolution. On the other hand, if you install Windows on a hard disk with a capacity of 2 TB or more, MBR does not work with such volumes, that is, the entire available size will not be visible. And so that the disk can be used to the full, it must have the GPT partition style. Well, just a vicious circle ... Thus, before installing the OS on your computer, you must first verify that all the criteria for the installed OS, the primary system, the file structure, and the partition style are met.
The difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit system: software performance issues
Another stumbling block is the correct operation of the software installed on the computer. The architecture of both the hardware and the operating system itself also play an important role. The main difference between a 32-bit system and a 64-bit system in this situation is that any application designed for the x86 architecture will work as if nothing had happened in the environment of 64-bit OS. On the contrary - no way! The same, by the way, applies to device drivers. To make sure that Windows x64 supports the execution of applications with the x86 architecture is quite simple.
Just look at the root directory of the system, where you can find the System32 and SysWOW64 folders. The first one contains the components responsible for the correct launch of 32-bit programs in the environment of 64-bit operating systems, and the second one is intended only for 64-bit applications, but it is kind of duplicate, since you can find exactly the same applets and libraries in it that are in the System32 directory. The same applies to the directories in which the software is installed. In 64-bit operating systems, there are two Program Files folders for this, but one of them has the designation “x86”, which testifies to its purpose for storing files of 32-bit applications.
Along the way, we can consider another difference between a 32-bit system and a 64-bit one. 1C very often causes users to doubt what kind of bitness to prefer to ensure the correct operation of the package. Some argue that there is no difference, others recommend only an OS with a capacity of 64 bits. Who is right? In terms of speed, as it turns out, the difference is not particularly noticeable. It goes without saying that if the server part is installed on a terminal with RAM more than 4 GB, it should have a capacity of 64 bits. On the other hand, with minimal indicators, an increase in bit rate is necessary only in order to achieve higher scaling and deployment, which has nothing to do with the speed of work.
What bit depth to choose when installing Windows on a computer?
But which system to choose for yourself? Many, I think, have already found the answer to this question. Of course, 64-bit systems both in terms of hardware and in terms of the software environment have much greater performance and hidden potential capabilities. If you plan to upgrade the hardware in the future (replacing hardware with a newer one), it is naturally better to install the corresponding modification of Windows (or any other OS) with x64 bit capacity. But if there is a relatively weak configuration in which it is not intended to use resource-intensive software products, and you will only work with office documents, an OS with x86 architecture will be enough. But if you make plans for the future, you need to clearly understand that there is a tendency to increase bit rate (while it is planned to switch to 128 bit structures), and 32-bit systems in the near future may simply become outdated. However, such a transition, if it takes place, when it can happen, is not yet known exactly. In addition, the 64-bit structures themselves still have a fairly powerful potential or, so to speak, safety margin.
Epilogue
Summing up, we can distinguish several main differences between the systems considered:
- 64-bit architecture has more performance, but it is quite demanding on the hardware;
- 32-bit systems are relatively cheap and are suitable for use on computers with only the simplest programs;
- when choosing an operating system, you must take into account the minimum configuration requirements and restrictions (for example, in terms of RAM and hard drives);
- focusing on an upgrade in the future, preference should be given to 64-bit systems;
- using operating systems with a capacity of 32 bits on the hardware supporting the 64-bit architecture is inexpedient (it will be impossible to squeeze the full potential out of them).