Arch Linux

fmma

Member

From: London

Registered: 2008-07-25

Posts: 25

x86_64 vs 32 bit arch (i686)

Hi,

I'm running a core2 quad with 4 Gbyte of ram (not planning in the near future to increase), this is a desktop machine, not a server. I'm little bit puzzled about which "arch distro" to choose. 64 bit or the 32 bit version. I think that 32bit cannot address more than 4 Gbyte of Ram, but as I do not plan to upgrade this should not be an issue. I don't know if the 32 bit vesion can address the full 4 Gbyte.
I read that 64 bit might be faster, but have not seen any data. However,  some programs are only available as 32 bit (such as wine, ggobi).

Any recommendation which system to use and were is the advantage of the 64 bit (in a non server machine)?

thanks in advance.

fr

Allan

Pacman

From: Brisbane, AU

Registered: 2007-06-09

Posts: 11,400

Website

Re: x86_64 vs 32 bit arch (i686)

You will find many other threads on the same topic if you do a bit of searching...

In short, you will only get 3.2Gb of RAM with the 32bit version unless you want to compile your own kernel.

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ozar

Member

From: USA

Registered: 2005-02-18

Posts: 1,686

Re: x86_64 vs 32 bit arch (i686)

I see no reason to go with 32 bit if your machine is 64 bit capable.  I've been running 64 bit for the last 6 months or so and have never even considered returning to 32 bit.

Best of luck with it, either way.

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oz

Ranguvar

Member

Registered: 2008-08-12

Posts: 2,549

Re: x86_64 vs 32 bit arch (i686)

http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=56793

Specifically: http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php? … 99#p452499

I have the same CPU and RAM - I'm enjoying x86_64 right now. Very little reason not to go 64, now that there's 64-bit Flash and full 64-bit Java (6u12 has a 64-bit web plugin with webstart). There are very few 32-bit only apps now... Wine is extremely easy to get working under 64-bit, Adobe Reader is also easy, and has alternatives, etc.

Last edited by Ranguvar (2008-12-22 17:25:12)

R00KIE

Forum Fellow

From: Between a computer and a chair

Registered: 2008-09-14

Posts: 4,734

Re: x86_64 vs 32 bit arch (i686)

+1 for 64bit, it also seems to pack a little bit more punch when compared with the 32bit version. I'm not running the 64bit one all the time but I'm planning to, just making sure I can make everything work as I can on the 32bit version ( and so far so good )

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R00KIE
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