Knowing The Differences Between 32-Bit And 64-Bit Computing Architecture

Humans have lots of ways to count. But computers can only count in binary: 0 and 1. This is called a 'bit'.

In computer terms, 1-bit computing means that the computer can only show two possible values. What this means, 2-bit computing means four values (2^2); and 3 bits is eight (2^3). And if we keep calculating that, we reach 32-bit (2^32) which is 4,294,967,296; and 64-bit (or 2^64) that is worth 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 values.

The number of bits shows the system's mapping capability inside the computer's physical memory. With 8 bits making up a byte, the computer then stores the data in a collection of them. In short, bits is to show how much powerful a computing system can be.

For example, a 32-bit processor is, by definition, capable of dealing with commands and referencing memory locations of 32-bits (4.29 billion memory locations, equate to 4GB).

32-bit

This is why a 32-bit processor can only access a maximum of 4GB of memory without some workarounds in software to address more.

Because technology and software demands kept on increasing, 4GB is not really enough. While 4GB should be sufficient for basic tasks and computing, but for running multiple programs, opening web browsers with multiple tabs, playing games with high-resolution or editing HQ photos with ease, 4GB isn't clearly enough.

This is where 64-bit computing helps.

64-bit computing can deal with a lot more memory. The register can store 2^64 values which can be tied to 16EB (exabytes) of RAM. This is significantly a lot more if compared to the miniscule 4GB memory that could be accessed by its older 32-bit counterpart.

Given that PCs and laptops have RAMs that are much less than 16EB, ordinary computers are nowhere near the limit of what a 64-bit processor can access.

What's more, extra memory isn't the only reason to have a 64-bit computer, because 64-bit processors can work with data in 64-bit chunks. This is obviously more efficient than moving it around in 32-bit chunks.

64-bit computing can also process any data less than 8 bytes, in one go. In comparison, 32-bit computers can only process 4 bytes of data in one CPU cycle as 8 bits are equal to 1 byte. So, if the size of the data to be processed is greater than 4 bytes, it would require the CPU to go for another cycle to process the remaining data.

And if the data is more than 8 bytes, 64-bit computers can also work with much less time than the 32-bit counterpart.

Users may not be able to notice much difference in everyday usage when doing basic tasks. However, users who multi-task a lot between large application, will see these 64-bit benefits.

With an increase in the availability of 64-bit processors and larger capacities of RAM, major computer suppliers like Microsoft and Apple, have created upgraded versions of their operating systems that are designed to take full advantage of the 64-bit computing.

Windows
Microsoft Windows 10 operating system, 64-bit

Besides 32-bit and 64-bit, there are x86 and x64. These numbering names are somewhat misleading, because they are actually the equivalent of 32-bit vs. 64-bit.

x86 means that the processor uses x86 architecture. This common naming has been long known to refer the family of processors ending in 86, the most successful line of Intel processors. Since all x86 processors are 32-bit, x86 has become interchangeable with 32-bit.

This goes the same for x64, as it becomes interchangeable with 64-bit.

However, since there aren't that many processors with numbers ending in 64, x64 becomes merely a shorthand for 64-bit.

The last Intel 32-bit chip, was the Intel Pentium 4E which was released back in February 2004. So here, 32-bit is an outdated technology.

But since there are many programs that utilize the 32-bit architecture, modern 64-bit systems can run both 32-bit and 64-bit software. In Windows, this is possible using two separate Program Files directories.

When the PC is running 64-bit Windows, there should be the usual Program Files folder which contains all the 64-bit apps they've installed. But, there can be a 'Program Files (x86)' folder which stores 32-bit applications.

Microsoft started doing this since Windows Vista.