[PLUG] 32 versus 64 bit reading list suggestions

tomas.kuchta.lists at gmail.com tomas.kuchta.lists at gmail.com
Tue Sep 8 01:03:39 UTC 2020


I would argue that access to more than 3.7GB RAM per process, access to
btrfs and many other 64b only features is not only useful to scientists
as well as performance and other improvements.

Though I generally agree - that 16b CPUs and 64k RAM out to be enough
for everyone.

-T
 
On Mon, 2020-09-07 at 11:58 -0700, Ben Koenig wrote:
> Something to note that most of the improvements offered by x86_64
> are 
> for developers and computer scientists. The reason AMD's
> implementation 
> became dominant is because their x86_64 bit implementation can 
> seamlessly execute 64bit OR 32bit code natively. Intel's solution 
> involved switching into some sort of compatibility layer that slowed 
> programs down. If you are interested you can read up on the early
> days 
> of x86 processor development, the 4GB memory limit imposed by 32bit 
> processors, and why AMD's architecture became the industry standard
> for 
> x86 processors.
> 
> 
> That said, YOU, the "user" or "layman" are unlikely to notice
> anything 
> significant when moving to a 64bit linux distro. For certain 
> applications you may see performance improvements but the basic 
> functionality of the OS will likely remain exactly the same. This
> was 
> part of AMD's design philosophy for the early Athlon 64 processors
> and 
> was adopted by Intel.
> 
> 
> Since the OP requested reading material, here's debian's wiki page 
> regarding multilib configuration.
> 
> https://wiki.debian.org/Multiarch
> 
> 
> As a rule of thumb, everyone should upgrade to a 64bit distro. The
> only 
> exception to this rule is if you have a SPECIFIC reason to stay on
> 32bit 
> such as a precompiled application.
> 
> 
> Hope that helps. Generally the best place to start looking for 
> information about the 32/64 transition is with the documentation 
> provided by your distro. Most provide some sort of wiki article or
> howto 
> for making the switch. Unless you play video games I very much doubt 
> that it will change the way you use your computer.
> 
> -Ben
> 
> 
> On 9/7/20 11:30 AM, Rich Shepard wrote:
> > On Mon, 7 Sep 2020, Richard Owlett wrote:
> > 
> > > Your phrasing suggests I mis-phrased my question. For a non-geek
> > > enduser
> > > what difference would there be except for possible faster
> > > response?
> > 
> > Perhaps none? I've no idea what you do with your systems;
> > regarless, 
> > nothing
> > will be lost if you do change.
> > 
> > Rich
> > _______________________________________________
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