What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems?

Source: Internet
Author: User

First, the original design is different. The 64-bit operating system was designed to meet customer needs for a wide range of memory and floating-point performance in areas such as mechanical design and analysis, three-dimensional animation, video editing and authoring, and scientific computing and High-performance computing applications. In other words, they are the running platform for High-tech personnel to use special software in the industry. 2144 Small games while the 32-bit operating system is designed for ordinary users.

Second, the configuration requirements are different. The 64-bit operating system can only be installed on 64-bit computers (the CPU must be 64-bit). At the same time, 64-bit common software needs to be installed to perform the best performance of 64-bit (x64). A 32-bit operating system can be installed on a 32-bit (32-bit CPU) or 64-bit (64-bit CPU) computer. Of course, the 32-bit operating system installed on 64-bit computers, its hardware is like "Big Horse Cart": 64-bit performance will be greatly reduced. Basic knowledge of computer questions and answers

Third, the operation speed is different. 64-bit CPU GPRs (general-purpose registers, universal Register) data width of 64 bits, 64-bit instruction set can run 64-bit data instruction, that is, the processor can extract 64 bit data at a time (as long as two instructions, a single extraction of 8 bytes of data), The 32-bit (requiring four instructions, one fetch of 4 bytes of data) increased by one time, and in theory, the performance would increase by 1 time times. Computer

Four, the addressing ability is different. The advantages of a 64-bit processor are also reflected in the system's control over memory. Because addresses use special integers, an alu (arithmetic logic operator) and registers can handle larger integers, or larger addresses. For example, Windows Vista x64 Edition supports up to 128 GB of memory and up to 32 terabytes of virtual memory, and H games and the maximum number of 4G CPUs and operating systems can support the largest memory. Computer company System Download

Five, the software is widely different. At present, 64-bit commonly used software than 32-bit commonly used software, much less. The rationale is simple: there are relatively few users using 64-bit operating systems. Therefore, software developers must consider the "input-output ratio", the limited funds into more users of the software. This is also a major reason why 64-bit software prices are relatively expensive (putting costs into less sales).

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