Arch Linux

rdking

Member

From: Halifax NS

Registered: 2005-04-14

Posts: 114

switching to 64 bit

just a quick question:

just upgraded to a 64 bit chip....been running my box for about a year, and have everything set up with the programs and settings I want.  It seems the only way to switch over is to re-install.

just a couple of questions:  What are the advantages?  will I see a preformance enhancement, is continuing to run 32 bit, not utilizing my resources?

It seems that a re-install of the base is what is needed, does 64 bit use different repos?  What exactly is the difference....i guess i just need some info on the differences, what works and doesn't, what I will miss out on on, and the best way to efficiently switch over and get my box back up to the way it is now!

cheers and thanks

dyscoria

Member

Registered: 2008-01-10

Posts: 1,007

Re: switching to 64 bit

If you're encoding video or anything like that, using 64bit does help alot. Otherwise, it's arguable that it doesn't provide any significant gains.

It does use different repos, [edit: actually, see wuischke's explanation] and the main difference is that tasks can be delegated to a specific CPU (e.g. the one that isn't working as hard at the time). You will not really miss out on much. You can use nspluginwrapper for flash on 64bit. These links will help:
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Arch64_FAQ
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Cur … velopement

And this will tell you if you'll miss out on anything:
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Community64_Status

Last edited by dyscoria (2008-03-24 17:29:51)

---

flack 2.0.6: menu-driven BASH script to easily tag FLAC files (AUR)
knock-once 1.2: BASH script to easily create/send one-time sequences for knockd (forum/AUR)

wuischke

Member

From: Suisse Romande

Registered: 2007-01-06

Posts: 630

Re: switching to 64 bit

Well, there's no real reason to switch if your system is running fine. The advantages of 64bit (support for RAM > 4GB; arch packages compiled with SSE(2?) support) are imho not worth the trouble of reinstalling.

That being said, you should expect little trouble when using Arch 64. I use it since last september and there are no real differences, but that's good thing as the system is running fast and responsive as I was used to from using Arch i686.

Arch64 uses the same repos, but downloads different packages, the procedure is exactly the same as when using Arch i686.

Disadvantages: You need to emulate a 32 bit system to use wine or proprietary software like skype or games which only provide 32 bit libraries. Slightly higher memory usage, but that's imho negletable.

Best way to switch over: 1. Create a list of installed packages, back up your data and configuration files.
2. Install a clean system, restore data and check configuration files, install all previously installed packages.
3. Done - that's Arch for you. (I did exactly the same last saturday when I completely repartitioned my hdd, works like a charm.)