Re: Do you recommend 64-bit system?



"Grey" <johnqpublic@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:YMZ1l.20915$R43.1266@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Do you recommend a 64-bit OS?
There seem to be a number of incompatibility issues with existing 32-bit
software and peripherals.
The supposedly main advantage of a 64-bit OS, as I understand it, is the
ability to have individual files larger than 4 GB. Is this something that I
am apt to need? What files would be that big? Maybe Blu-ray High
Definition movies or using my PC as a TiVo?
I am not aware of any user impact of the current limit of 32-bit precision
for calculations so I don't see how more accuracy would help.
Am I missing anything?



You do not need a 64 bit operating system (Windows XP 64 bit or Vista 64 bit) to have a file larger than 4 GB. To have files larger than 4 GB you need to have the hard drive formatted with the NTFS file system (and most newer computers are formatted that way by default.) The older FAT32 format would only allow files to be up to 4 GB in size. Windows XP and Vista will only format partitions of up to 32 GB in size as FAT32 and if you want a partition larger (using newer Windows versions to format it) you have to use NTFS and that is why most newer computers are formatted that way by default.

The 4 GB limit that is overcome by any 64 bit operating system is more than 4 GB of main memory (RAM) may be accessed by the operating system in the computer. Most persons do not need to have more than about 3 GB of RAM to adequately use a computer with almost any application they would open so a 32 bit operating system would suffice. 32 bit operating systems (Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro 32, Vista Home basic & premium, Vista Business and Vista Ultimate 32 bit) will only address up to 4 GB of RAM. The only time more RAM is needed is if you are opening many programs at the same time, you are editing extremely large images or running very large spread sheets or the like.

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