Processor is the heart of any Computer. The performance of a PC depends mainly on its processor. There are two different types of processors which are being used in PC’s now-a-days. Depending on the architecture a processor can be categorized either as 32 bit or 64 bit processor .Both have their own pros & cons.
The two major competitors in today’s market are Intel & AMD . 64 bit version of processors can handle large amount of data, more efficiently compared to that of 32 bit processors. A maximum of 4GB RAM can be used when 32 bit Processors are used whereas a maximum of 16 exabytes (17.2 billion GB)can be used in case of 64 bit processors. It also varies with respect to the Operating System and other factors.
Below is the picture that depicts a 32 bit Processor usage with 8 GB RAM :
Only 2.75 GB is usable among the 7.00 GB RAM which is available , since it is a 32 bit Processor / OS.
Below is the picture that depicts a 62 bit Processor usage with 8 GB RAM :
Complete 12 GB is usable among the available RAM , since it is a 64 bit Processor / OS.
There are different editions of Operating system for 32 bit and 64 bit which can be installed with respect to the processors. Most of the 32 bit applications are compatible with 64 bit Operating Systems (Other than the device drivers) but not the vice versa.
- 32 bit OS will run on 32-bit or 64 bit processor
- 32 bit application will run on 32 bit or 64 bit OS
- 64 bit application will only run on a 64 bit OS and a 64 bit OS will only run on a 64 bit processor
A 64 bit Operating System is more responsive while running multiple applications, comparatively. Most of the applications developed for 64 bit are not stable compared to that to 32 bit applications. One dis advantage of using 64 bit processor is that more space will be occupied by same data there by the space gets wasted whereas only limited space will be occupied by same data in 32 bit processor.
64 Bit processors are more advantageous than 32 bit processors but the software and drivers developed for 64 Bit Processors / OS are not much stable.
