Worth changing to 64 bit?

Captjlucpicard · #1 24th October 2009, 03:05 AM

However, just recently, I discovered my laptop has 64bit extensions. It's fairly new, but it's a Celeron, so I just assumed it was a 32 Bit CPU. Anyway, I have Fedora x86 installed at the moment, is it worth upgrading to the Fedora x86-64 version? I know Fedora 12 will be out soon, so I might just wait for that to come out first.

scottro · #2 24th October 2009, 03:11 AM

It would have to be a reinstall rather than upgrade. Is it worth it? I think if you did a lot of data crunching it might be. I'm going to change the thread title--we have some folks, like stevea, who can give you some better answers. (Although I like the thread title--if you object to my change, just post in the thread and if I'm asleep, another mod will change it back--or I'll do it in the morning) (EDT).

Captjlucpicard · #3 24th October 2009, 03:17 AM

The new thread title is fine

Thanks for replying. I figured I would have to do a clean install.

michael12345 · #4 24th October 2009, 03:33 AM

It's worth it if you have more than 4gB of ram....

I've read that 64 bit apps run slightly faster (benchmarkwise) in a 64 bit environment like FC11 x64. Than say a 32 bit app in a 32bit enviro like FC11 x32.

I've gotten in the habit of installing based on architecture however incase I ever need to upgrade my memory on boxes beyond the 4gB limit imposed most the time by 32 bit architecture. I have a rackable systems server that can address beyond 4 gB even though it is only x32. Don't think I would reinstall though just to get x64 if I didn't have > 4gB of ram.

That being said, I feel it is also worth noting that on my 64 bit systems I have not had a single issue related to running 32bit software in the rare case that the x64 isn't available and I don't compile.

diamond_ramsey · #5 24th October 2009, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captjlucpicard

However, just recently, I discovered my laptop has 64bit extensions. It's fairly new, but it's a Celeron, so I just assumed it was a 32 Bit CPU. Anyway, I have Fedora x86 installed at the moment, is it worth upgrading to the Fedora x86-64 version? I know Fedora 12 will be out soon, so I might just wait for that to come out first.

Captjlucpicard, my answer would be yes.

I made my transition from 32-bit to 64-bit and have no regrets on the decision. More system resources as well as expandability were now at my disposal.

Hope this helps.

michael12345 · #6 24th October 2009, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamond_ramsey

Captjlucpicard, my answer would be yes.

As a system administrator, I made my transition from 32-bit to 64-bit and have no regrets on the decision. More system resources as well as expandability were now at my disposal.

Hope this helps.

Depending on chipset, his laptop may be limited to less than 4gB of RAM. My poor little eeepc's only take 2gB. My x64 Gateways only take 1gB of memory (circa 2005 and still using em). I'm all for expandability, but he may have none.

GoinEasy9 · #7 24th October 2009, 03:39 AM

There are certain apps that still don't have a 64 bit equivalent, so make sure everything you need runs in 64 bit. They are few, but I ran into trouble using Ameritrade command center because it uses Sun's Java jre, and the Java Console add on for firefox is not available yet for 64 bit.

diamond_ramsey · #8 24th October 2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael12345

Depending on chipset, his laptop may be limited to less than 4gB of RAM. My poor little eeepc's only take 2gB. My x64 Gateways only take 1gB of memory (circa 2005 and still using em). I'm all for expandability, but he may have none.

michael12345, you are absolutely correct!

Depends on what the system has indeed.

Also, if the system is capable, then go for the Fedora 12 "Final Release" install in November on 64-bit.

Depends on what the system is used for and corresponding software indeed. As a fall-back, the person could then go with Fedora 12 "Final Release" 32-bit accordingly.

michael12345 · #9 24th October 2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinEasy9

There are certain apps that still don't have a 64 bit equivalent, so make sure everything you need runs in 64 bit. They are few, but I ran into trouble using Ameritrade command center because it uses Sun's Java jre, and the Java Console add on for firefox is not available yet for 64 bit.

Fwiw I was pleasantly surprised a few days ago when I was able to actually use Cisco's gui interface with java. In the past I've had serious issues with it. Was on a fresh FC10 install. Need the gui for the IDS management... I connected with java and Firefox. Up until recently though this was not possible.