64bit Operating Systems

With the demands of faster computing environments, 64bit compatible hardware and software are now possible for home computer usage. 64bit operating systems are also available for home use.

64bit computing is not new and has been around ever since the early 90's. They power supercomputers for the toughest of processes known to man back then. But since the demand for more powerful computers, 64bit computing has been offered to the masses with a range of 64bit ready hardware and software. Still, many use 32bit systems and have not moved to 64bit.

The key to a 64bit environment is in the CPU. A 64bit CPU handles 64 bits of data per clock cycle which is twice the data per clock cycle than a 32bit CPU. More processes per clock-cycle, more power. Another advantage of 64bit operating systems is in the amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) it can support. With a 32bit operating system, you are allowed up to 3 gigabytes of ram while a 64bit operating system can have more, about 16.8 million terabytes more RAM than the previous operating system. More RAM means faster application responses, more applications to be cached in RAM and lesser disk page-filing which is a function where data is written to the hard-disk for temporary storage.

Softwares such as CAD (Computer-Aided Design) applications are specifically targeted towards 64bit computing environment because of the extra performance it delivers when running these resource intensive applications. Games also benefit from the extra performance of 64bit systems to deliver realistic physics and more process to be run simultaneously for AI (Artificial Intelligence) to have realistic enemies in games. 64bit operating systems are also immune to certain viruses because 32bit applications are rarely supported in a 64bit operating system or would not actually run at all.

But do not be fooled. There are still factors to be considered such as the CPU's clock speed in Megahertz (MHz) which is the CPU's clock speed. Some of today's software is also designed to run in a 32bit system. Although some applications would run in a 64bit system, you would not see any difference in performance when you run it in a 32bit system. 64bit operating systems also require you to have 64bit hardware drivers for your keyboard, mouse, video-card, sound card and other hardware so be sure to download 64bit drivers before upgrading to a 64bit operating system. Application must also be optimized for a 64bit environment otherwise, it would not run fast or it would not run at all.

64bit computing isn't that new and is not that necessary of an upgrade. But for serious computer users like me, who use the computer for photo editing and CAD, it is best to take advantage of supercomputing power made for the desktop environment offered by 64bit Operating Systems and 64bit capable hardware and software.