- The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor (also called a CPU), handles information.
- The 64-bit versions of Windows can utilize more memory than 32-bit versions of Windows.
- By using 32 bits your processor can represent numbers from 0 to 4,294,967,295 while a 64-bit machine can represent numbers from 0 to 18,446,744,073,709,551,615.
- 64 bit minimize the time spent swapping processes in and out of memory by storing more of those processes in Random access memory (RAM) rather than on the hard disk.
- 64bit can increase overall program performance
- 64 bit benefit to academic institutions and private companies, where large calculations are being performed, huge databases are being accessed, and complex problems are being solved.
- A 64-bit processor is made with more advanced silicon processes, have more transistors, and faster speeds.
- In 64 bit you need 4 GB of RAM to take full advantage of the capabilities
- There is another problem when you run 32-bit software programs in the environment of a 64-bit operating system. Many programs won’t work properly, such as Adobe Acrobat and Windows Media Player
|
Architecture |
Windows Vista, 32-bit versions |
Windows Vista, 64-bit versions |
|
System requirements |
1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 64-bit (x64) processor, 512 MB of RAM |
1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended) |
|
Memory access |
A 32-bit version of Windows Vista can access up to 4 GB of RAM. |
A 64-bit version of Windows Vista can access from 1 GB of RAM to more than 128 GB of RAM. |
|
Memory access per edition |
All 32-bit versions of Windows Vista can access up to 4 GB of RAM. |
Windows Vista Home Basic – 8 GB of RAM Windows Vista Home Premium – 16 GB of RAM Windows Vista Business – 128 GB of RAM or more Windows Vista Enterprise – 128 GB of RAM or more Windows Vista Ultimate – 128 GB of RAM or more |
|
DEP |
32-bit versions of Windows Vista use a software-based version of DEP. |
64-bit versions of Windows Vista support hardware-backed DEP. |
|
Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard) |
This feature is not available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. |
This feature is available in 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. Kernel Patch Protection helps prevent a malicious program from updating the Windows Vista kernel. This feature works by helping to prevent a kernel-mode driver from extending or replacing other kernel services. Also, this feature helps prevent third-party programs from updating (patching) any part of the kernel. |
|
Driver signing |
Unsigned drivers may be used with 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. |
64-bit versions of Windows Vista require that all device drivers be digitally signed by the developer. |
|
32-bit driver support |
32-bit versions of Windows Vista support 32-bit drivers that are designed for Windows Vista. |
64-bit versions of Windows Vista do not support 32-bit device drivers. |
|
16-bit program support |
32-bit versions of Windows Vista support 16-bit programs, in part. |
64-bit versions of Windows Vista do not support 16-bit programs. |
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.