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#1 2011-04-02 19:02:33
- eDio
- Member
- From: Ukraine, Kyiv
- Registered: 2008-12-02
- Posts: 422
[SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
Hi all.
I use ArchLinux i686.
Recently I've added some more RAM to my system and now I have 6GB, but only 3.2 of them are usable.
I'm going to use additional RAM mostly as a tmpfs (converting large amount of audio files), since I haven't experienced lack of memory in day-to-day use with only 2GB of ram.
So, there are 2 different approaches:
1) PAE
2) migrating to x86_64
I don't know which will be preferable. Migrating seems to be the right choice, but I have doubts since:
1. I have 32 bit version of MS Office, which I have to use under wine sometimes
2. I do need flash video in my browser
3. I have a tuned and stable system, which I wouldn't like to re-install again
4. I'm afraid that 64bit system will eat my hamster (haven't used 64 bit systems yet, I'm not aware of issues etc.)
Please, help me to solve this dilemma 
Thanks in advance
Update: have migrated to x86_64 successfully
Last edited by eDio (2011-04-03 07:19:23)
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#2 2011-04-02 19:08:40
- flamelab
- Member
- From: Athens, Hellas (Greece)
- Registered: 2007-12-26
- Posts: 2,160
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
64bit of course.
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#3 2011-04-02 19:12:57
- Leonid.I
- Member
- From: Aethyr
- Registered: 2009-03-22
- Posts: 999
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
Here is a point of view: http://blog.linuxolution.org/archives/117
Arch Linux is more than just GNU/Linux -- it's an adventure
pkill -9 systemd
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#4 2011-04-02 19:21:13
- SS4
- Member
- From: !Rochford, Essex
- Registered: 2010-12-05
- Posts: 699
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
64bit of course.
+1
1. Wine is 32 bit by default
2. flashplugin-prerelease is in the AUR
3. No way around this one although some crafty backups will help
4. No real difference.
tmpfs does come in handy though, I've allocation 5.5GiB (of 8) to it for much the same reason you are
Rauchen verboten
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#5 2011-04-02 19:28:34
- ngoonee
- Forum Fellow
- From: Between Thailand and Singapore
- Registered: 2009-03-17
- Posts: 7,358
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
flamelab wrote:64bit of course.
+1
1. Wine is 32 bit by default
2. flashplugin-prerelease is in the AUR
3. No way around this one although some crafty backups will help
4. No real difference.tmpfs does come in handy though, I've allocation 5.5GiB (of 8) to it for much the same reason you are
Not on 64-bit it isn't, not anymore. It is now multi-arch (via [multilib]). And yes you can run Office no problem (or rather, none that are arch-related).
Allan-Volunteer on the (topic being discussed) mailn lists. You never get the people who matters attention on the forums.
jasonwryan-Installing Arch is a measure of your literacy. Maintaining Arch is a measure of your diligence. Contributing to Arch is a measure of your competence.
Griemak-Bleeding edge, not bleeding flat. Edge denotes falls will occur from time to time. Bring your own parachute.
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#6 2011-04-02 19:32:26
- eDio
- Member
- From: Ukraine, Kyiv
- Registered: 2008-12-02
- Posts: 422
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
Thanks, guys.
You've convinced me totally.
Currently performing backups and going to reinstall then.
Thanks all once more.
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#7 2011-04-04 05:59:55
- Kirurgs
- Member
- Registered: 2008-10-20
- Posts: 144
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
Hi!
Although decision is made, PAE might come handy if You need even more memory and 6G will NOT be enough... Please check this about memory usage for 32bit and 64bit (https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=109911&p=2).
In short x86_64 uses about 30% more RAM, if Your 6G is short for your workload under 64bit, You may go PAE and find yourself more comfortable. I went to 64bit as I have 8G and in real life memory usage don't go beyond 6.5G, so I'm perfectly comfortable, but workloads may vary
This in no way meant to go PAE, it's just another opinion backed up with some proof not just talks or bashing about older stuff is crappy
regards
Kirurgs
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#8 2011-04-04 14:36:37
- inp3dance
- Member
- Registered: 2008-06-23
- Posts: 106
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
For Wine, U will need to set WINEARCH=win32 to have 32bit wine ( read the Wiki )
You can also just archive your current root folder ( I do that with tar and 7z and I get an archive with 1/5 of the size of my root folder ), install 64bit and if things won't work out, just simply restore. You will loose only the time for the new installation and configuration.
Or better: make room for an another partition, install 64bit there and use the same home directory or partition.
Right now I will do the same thing( I mean the 2 root partition/ same home partition), to test if I really need 64bit with multilib, or 32bit will be just fine for me, but I have only 2G of ram.
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#9 2011-04-04 20:53:34
- eDio
- Member
- From: Ukraine, Kyiv
- Registered: 2008-12-02
- Posts: 422
Re: [SOLVED] Upgraded RAM to 6GB. PAE or 64bit?
You can also just archive your current root folder ( I do that with tar and 7z and I get an archive with 1/5 of the size of my root folder ), install 64bit and if things won't work out, just simply restore. You will loose only the time for the new installation and configuration.
Or better: make room for an another partition, install 64bit there and use the same home directory or partition.
I've migrated already without any issue. Moreover, as a side-effect I have more cleaner system and home, as I've copied to new home only those configs, which I actually need.
Kirurgs,
I've just read that your link. Impressive results. Thanks.
Last edited by eDio (2011-04-04 21:03:52)
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