What Is The Difference Between 32-Bit And 64-Bit

Almost anyone who has a computer might be interested in knowing what is a 32-bit or a 64-bit and what is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit. To be simple they refer to the information handling capability of the computer CPU. A computer with a 64-bit processor can handle data more effectively and efficiently and enhances the performance when compared to a 32-bit processor.

A 32-bit processor was the primary processor that was used in all the computers during the 90’s. The windows operating systems like Windows 95, windows 98 and windows XP were all 32-bit operating system. It was during the 2000 that 64-bit came into usage though it was first used in 1960’s. Windows XP was the first operating system from Microsoft to come with 64-bit and later it was incorporated in Windows vista and Windows 7 OS. It became more popular with windows 7 OS. Most of the computers that the manufacturers build recently are 64-bit. At present 32-bit operating system are referred as x86 and 64-bit as x64.

To be more specific a 32-bit or 64-bit refers to the registry size of the processor. A register is a storage area that stores computational values needed by the CPU. The CPU access these computational values in order to perform various tasks and hence more quicker the CPU fetches these values the more faster it performs the tasks, which in turn leads to increased performance of the computer. Thus a 64-bit processor is capable of storing more amount of data values and can perform more tasks in a faster manner when compared to a 32-bit processor.

Another major difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit processor is that a 32-bit processor can support only up to 4GB of RAM memory, which means you cannot increase the RAM memory of a computer which has a 32-bit processor. On the other hand there is no such limit for 64-bit processor and can support any amount of RAM memory which leads to more optimal performance. Some of the software like Image editing, video editing and 3D animations tend to use more computational values and more memory and can perform more effectively and quickly on a 64-bit processor. Most of the video games which require more RAM to deliver very good performance can be benefitted with this 64-bit processors.

One more important thing to be noted is that a computer with a 32-bit processor can have only 32-bit operating system installed in it and it cannot support a 64-bit operating system. Apart from the OS other softwares that we install must also be 32-bit meaning you cannot install a 64-bit version of a software on a computer with 32-bit processor. But if a computer has a 64-bit processor, then it is possible to install both 32-bit and 64-bit operating system. You can also install 32-bit version of a software on a computer with 64-bit processor. But In order to enjoy the full features and potential of a 64-bit processor, all the softwares and hardwares that are connected to the computer must be 64-bit.

If you want to check which version of the operating system is installed in your computer then you can do it simply by right clicking the My Computer icon and select the Properties. You will get the screen like below where you can see what version of the operating system is installed and what is the RAM memory. As I said my computer has a 64-bit operating system installed and has 6GB of RAM memory.

Some of the problems having 64-bit processor are if your motherboard does not support more than 4GB of RAM then there is no use in having this 64-bit processor however you will see a better performance. Some of the software which you want to perform more efficiently might not have 64-bit version and therefore you need to go with the 32-bit version.

So these are some of the major difference between 32-bit and 64-bit processor. Please leave your comments if you know any other difference between the two processors.