Many users, when installing the Windows operating system on their personal computers, are sincerely perplexed which version of the platform to choose - x64 or x86? And in general, what do these abbreviations really mean?
Programs with x64 or x86: there is a difference
As mentioned above,
operating systems are usually accompanied by strange abbreviations. However, you can see them while downloading various programs, which also often provide the user with the right to choose the x64 or x86 version. Let's try to figure out all the numerical riddles together. To begin with, in the world of computers there are various types of processors that have different architectures. Expression of movement by leaps and bounds suits the industry of computer chips as well as possible, but processors began to develop and improve particularly rapidly in the last decade.
Where did it happen
Once upon a time, computing chips enabled the user to work
with operating systems and programs on a 16-bit basis, later they came to the aid of more advanced 32-bit counterparts, now progress has been able to touch 64-bit architectures and even seriously distribute them around the world.
You, dear readers, are unlikely to find computers today that support 16-bit programs, and new PCs are released, as a rule, with the most modern architecture and come with 64-bit operating systems.
AMD is considered the pioneer in the development of 64-bit computing chips. Therefore, software developers generalize such processors under the common name "Amd64". It is important to understand that such a designation does not mean that games whose specifications indicate amd64 will not run on computers running 64-bit Intel authorship processors.
In the described case, we are talking about the usual generalization, which managed to firmly enter into practice. The abbreviations x64 or x86 themselves correspond to a different processor architecture - 64 or 32, respectively. If we talk about the application of these notations to modern operating systems, they denote bit depth.
How to find out x64 or x86 OS installed on PC?
Often users try to determine what bit depth or, in other words, the type of operating system is currently installed on their computer. To solve the task, you need to move the mouse cursor over the “Computer” icon on the desktop (standard for the Windows system) and right-click on it once.
Next, in the context menu that opens, select "Properties". After the actions taken, a window should open before you with a complete list of the characteristics of your computer, as well as the installed operating system. Thus, you can see one of a couple of options: a 32-bit operating system or 64-bit.
In such a simple way, we figured out how to check whether x86 or x64 programs should be installed. Further, it must be said that the feature of 64-bit programs lies in their incredible performance, but on the other hand, they are too demanding in relation to memory. Here it is, a confirmation of the rule that everything is good in moderation: installing a 64-bit operating system on a weak laptop with a couple of gigabytes of RAM and a 32-bit classic processor is a mistake, however, on the other hand, 32-bit programs and systems do not able to see over 3 GB of RAM. If you have a personal computer at your disposal with 4 or more gigabytes of RAM, you can safely install a 64-bit Windows platform, respectively, the programs should also be 64-bit. Programs of this type use the resources available on the computer to the maximum.In fact, the actual question of which is better - windows x86 or x64 is not formulated correctly, since both platforms are good, and the choice of which is determined by the configuration of a single computer.
Windows x64: pitfalls
Currently, due to the unresolved issues that developers and engineers around the world are struggling with, it has turned out that the most advanced Windows x64 platform, in addition to the many indisputable advantages that we talked about
above, there are a number of shortcomings, which also should not be forgotten. To begin with, if you have been using your computer for a long time and have a number of components that have not been let down by you for many years, it is likely that with the switch to the 64-bit version of the operating system it can be quite problematic to find drivers for these devices. The fact is that developers of all kinds of gadgets are not very willing to release updates for products that have been discontinued, thereby trying to encourage customers to purchase new equipment. And here very few people heed the argument that your scanner or printer is the best in the world.
We have already noted that Windows x64 consumes more resources, however, it should be said that all programs for a 64-bit environment are also beginning to "desire more." And finally, if you decide to install an unsigned driver, this will require a number of additional steps.
On the other side of the scale lies access to all the resources of RAM installed on the computer. With Windows x64, even some 32-bit programs can take advantage of access to 4 GB of RAM, for example, the games "Stalker" and "Gothic". For comparison: in a 32-bit operating system environment, games and programs get access to 2 GB of memory, and in extremely rare cases - to 3 GB.
Some authors argue that, regardless of which platform - x64 or x86 - the user chooses, the speed of the programs will remain at the same level. It is very difficult to refute this opinion completely, because performance indicators depend on a number of circumstances and factors, but practice has shown that programs for processing audio and video, as well as archivers and a number of professional programs, begin to behave much more actively.
If you finally decided in favor of the latter with the “x86 or x64: what to install” dilemma, but don’t want to part with the good old programs, you should know that 99 percent of 32-bit applications work without loss of performance and any problems in a 64-bit environment . As for gaming performance, it primarily depends on the performance of your video driver.
PS: all that did not have time to mention above
We already know exactly how to determine x86 or x64, but there are a number of little things left that are also worth mentioning. For example, we have already learned almost everything about bit depth, except for the definition of this term, so we note that bit capacity refers to the ability to simultaneously process a certain amount of information that is measured in bits.
Unreachable boundary
Interestingly, the 64-bit architecture also has its limits regarding perceived RAM: x64 cannot see more than 192 GB of RAM. Another interesting point: the natural volume of 64-bit applications, like
usually 20–40% more than the 32-bit counterparts, but do not immediately run after a new hard drive, because this rule does not apply to such entertaining materials as videos (movies) or music.
The number of doubt - 4
We should separately discuss the fate of the PC with 4 gigabytes of RAM. Here's the thing: on the one hand, 32-bit operating systems only see 3 GB of memory, and the choice in favor of 64x seems obvious, but do not forget that Windows x64 will require twice as much RAM as it will make you work than it 32-bit "sister", and victory in this case seems very ambiguous. In such conditions, the choice should not be determined by mathematical calculation, but by your needs and the tasks that you intend to set for the computer. And do not expect external effects, because from a design point of view, 32 and 64-bit operating systems are identical.
Adobe News
If you are an artist or designer, we will disappoint or please you with a recent announcement by Adobe that all modern Adobe CS5 applications will become exclusively 64-bit. In other words, Dreamweaver CS5, Photoshop CS5 and similar famous applications will be able to run exclusively on a 64-bit system. The 32-bit platform simply does not recognize them.
Everything turned out to be simple
So we figured out how to find out if your x64 or x86 system is installed, and which option to choose. As you can see, everything turned out to be not too complicated and took only a few minutes of your time. It is important to understand that in this case the differences are exclusively internal, and to determine with maximum accuracy what exactly you want from a personal computer, that it is for you a work tool or a friend that gives you entertainment. If the PC is configured in the best way, its abilities will be transformed.