32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

soloport · 2007-01-30 02:41:13

If you've shopped for CPUs or Motherboards lately (e.g. newegg.com) the 32-bit AMD variety are nearly impossible to find. Have tried to scrounge around for them for a while, but it's getting old. Built a 64-bit Arch desktop box to give it a try. It's fast but is missing things.

So how does 32-bit Arch do on a 64-bit CPU? Any disadvantages? Breakage? Hopefully this hasn't been asked to death.

Thanks.

smarcher · 2007-01-30 04:59:14

Hi
Am running 32 bit Arch and other distros too on a 64-bit cpu without any problems at all. They all run perfectly, no issues.

iBertus · 2007-01-30 18:57:21

I'm running a 64-bit AMD and both Arch64 and plain-ole Arch32 run just fine. I can't tell the difference between this CPU and my old Athlon XP.

dongiovanni · 2007-01-30 20:10:11

The AMD64 CPUs have real 32bit support, that mean, that there is no difference (exept the speed ) if you use it in 32bit mod...

iBertus · 2007-01-30 22:07:30

dongiovanni wrote:

The AMD64 CPUs have real 32bit support, that mean, that there is no difference (exept the speed ) if you use it in 32bit mod...

This is a very good point. If I'm not mistaken, this is the main reason AMD64 was a success and the old Itanium from Intel was not.

soloport · 2007-01-31 18:08:51

Thanks everyone. Good info.

johnisevil · 2007-02-09 19:31:18

iBertus wrote:

dongiovanni wrote:
The AMD64 CPUs have real 32bit support, that mean, that there is no difference (exept the speed ) if you use it in 32bit mod...
This is a very good point. If I'm not mistaken, this is the main reason AMD64 was a success and the old Itanium from Intel was not.

AMD's implementation of keeping 32bit was done the right way. All Athlon 64's are designed to run both 32 and 64bit natively. The Itanium is a 64bit processor that does 32bit through emulation which is slower.

zeus · 2007-02-09 19:45:08

The Itanium is a 64bit processor that does 32bit through emulation which is slower.

wow. Let's stop - Itanium - a server processor.
Intel Pentium w x64, Core2, Xeon use 32bit natively and even faster than AMD.

F · 2007-02-09 20:42:38

Just wanted to add that I am running a 32-bit Arch on my AMD64 and do not plan to switch any time soon.

There is no disadvantage (except the disadvantage of not using your processor to full potential). In terms of how things work, everything works flawlessly, otherwise.

.:B:. · 2007-02-09 20:44:30

iBertus wrote:

dongiovanni wrote:
The AMD64 CPUs have real 32bit support, that mean, that there is no difference (exept the speed ) if you use it in 32bit mod...
This is a very good point. If I'm not mistaken, this is the main reason AMD64 was a success and the old Itanium from Intel was not.

Itanium is not even x86, so it is totally out of scope here .

zeus wrote:

The Itanium is a 64bit processor that does 32bit through emulation which is slower.
wow. Let's stop - Itanium - a server processor.
Intel Pentium w x64, Core2, Xeon use 32bit natively and even faster than AMD.

Correction: Intels based on the post-NetBurst architecture run faster than their AMD counterparts. The Pentium 4, dualcore or not, is no match for AMD's K8. We all know that.

Last edited by B (2007-02-09 20:47:11)

phrakture · 2007-02-09 20:52:23

I have a 64bit Sempron running arch (32bit) that is blazingly fast, though I can find no reason for it at all. I'm not exaggerating, it boots to console login in 6-10 seconds.

iBertus · 2007-02-10 04:42:23

Yep, the 64-bit Semprons are really good for the price point. I'm using one here and it is MUCH faster than my old Athlon XP 3000+ on boot up. I'm not really sure why (on-chip memory controller perhaps?) this is the case.

Xilon · 2007-02-10 06:24:52

phrakture wrote:

I have a 64bit Sempron running arch (32bit) that is blazingly fast, though I can find no reason for it at all. I'm not exaggerating, it boots to console login in 6-10 seconds.

Hmm similar here on my AMD64 3200+, boots in 15-20 seconds last time I clocked it, which isn't as fast... your's is just... WOW!

iphitus · 2007-02-11 00:57:55

I run a Pentium D, 64bit, and still havn't run a 64bit distro on it.

Arch Linux

#1 2007-01-30 02:41:13

32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#2 2007-01-30 04:59:14

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#3 2007-01-30 18:57:21

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#4 2007-01-30 20:10:11

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#5 2007-01-30 22:07:30

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#6 2007-01-31 18:08:51

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#7 2007-02-09 19:31:18

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#8 2007-02-09 19:45:08

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#9 2007-02-09 20:42:38

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#10 2007-02-09 20:44:30

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#11 2007-02-09 20:52:23

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#12 2007-02-10 04:42:23

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#13 2007-02-10 06:24:52

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

#14 2007-02-11 00:57:55

Re: 32-bit Arch on 64-bit CPU

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