64-bit processors

[chuckie987]

Hey,
I was just wondering is there much point in buying a 64-bit machine just now as the VAST majority of programs in general use at the moment are only 32-bit compatible.....?

Thanks

 

[hunter315]

The only good reason to buy a machine with a 32 bit OS is if you have older hardware that you absolutely cannot live without that does not have a 64 bit driver, unless you desperately need to keep using some really old peripheral there is no good reason not to buy a 64 bit system.

A 32 bit application will run just fine on a 64 bit system, but 64 bit variants can have some performance boosts as they are allowed to use extra ram and do get to use some extra registers in the CPU. The only disadvantage of a 64 bit OS is that not all old peripherals have 64 bit drivers, other than that it is superior to 32 bit today and you really shouldn't be considering having a 32 bit OS installed on your system especially since Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit are the same price.