Over the past two years, as the release of an increasing number of machines with 3GB memory and a 64-bit Windows has taken a much more stable situation. However, it seems that with the release of Windows 7 64-bit computing will become even more common.
What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit systems? In short, the number indicates the number of bits that the computer can handle at once. It also shows how much memory (RAM) your computer may be addressed. 32-bit computer running Windows can address up to 4GB of RAM, while the 64-bit Windows system can address up to 128Gb or even more (64-bit applications can theoretically address up to 16 billion gigabytes of memory). So the larger the number of bits is the best calculation, both in terms of accuracy, and capabilities.
Despite the potential, the transition to the new platform was very slow. The reason was the high cost of RAM and a lack of drivers for devices and 64-bit applications.
At the time of release Windows Vista 2GB RAM, which is the recommended amount for the correct operation of Vista, could easily cost several hundred dollars. Then, in fact, there was no 64-bit applications, with the exception of a few demo versions of games, and most suppliers do not offer 64-bit drivers. In addition, 32-bit PCs can meet most everyday computing tasks.
This was more than four years ago, and since then much has changed. Windows Vista, albeit not very famous, helped make the 64-bit drivers more accessible. The fact that Windows 7 uses the same driver architecture as Vista, do it when it was released in October, the most ready-to 64-bit OS. In addition, the RAM is now worth almost four times cheaper than in 2005.
Today, if you buy a computer is Dell, HP or other vendors and choose the 4GB of RAM or more, the computer will come with 64-bit version of Windows Vista).
I just finished testing 64-bit version of Windows 7 to review the operating system and can confirm that the most important hardware components, including network, sound and video are ready 64-bit drivers. By the official release of Windows 7, you probably will not encounter problems in finding 64-bit drivers for most components.
Thus, despite the fact that so far no large number of 64-bit applications, here are some overpowering reason for the move to 64-bit platform:
More memory: Because the RAM desheveet, new computers come with large amounts of memory, and the only way to use them – is to use 64-bit version of Windows. It is important to note that on all computers equipped with 4GB of RAM, will be pre-64-bit Windows. Simply put, you can get a computer with 64-bit version of Windows, even unaware of this. This is perhaps the main reason to move to 64-bit platform.
Backward compatibility: Most, if not all, 32-bit applications (except for the driver) can work in 64-bit Windows, just as they work in 32-bit. In other words, the 64-bit Windows can run all that and a 32-bit Windows, plus a 64-bit applications.
Nvidia – one of many suppliers that offer 64-bit drivers for their products
Quality: In 64-bit Windows Microsoft requires a digital signature from the driver. This means that there will be fewer low-quality drivers, which are a major cause of failure. In addition, 64-bit versions of the software, especially games, graphics / multimedia applications, will show a much higher speed.
Nevertheless, there are several reasons that may become an obstacle on this way. First of all, drivers are a problem, because many older peripherals such as printers or scanners, never will work with 64-bit versions of Windows. Secondly, the 16-bit applications, those that are designed for Windows 3.1 or DOS, is no longer supported. Finally, I have noticed that many codecs for compressed video formats such as MKV or DiVx, at this point is quite wrong with 64-bit Windows, especially with a Media Center.
In addition, we can not ignore the fact that, because 32-bit applications can work on both platforms, developers are attracted by more than 64-bit version.
But despite this, along with Windows 7 64-bit platform will surely conquer the desktop computers and high-performance notebooks, leaving 32-bits for netbukov and low-power desktop systems.
Published August 16, 2009
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий