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While it is possible to run a 32-bit program without any problems on both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems, it is not possible to run a 64-bit program on a 32-bit operating system. Nowadays, there is a need to point to more than 4GB of memory at a go, so 64-bit programs are more efficient because they can potentially handle more than 4 billion times that number. When 32-bit systems were unveiled, they were preferred because they could address up to 4GB of memory at once, far better than the 16-bit systems that were being used at the time. Also, a 64-bit program can address more physical memory locations than a 32-bit program. A 32-bit program can only use limited RAM, usually up to 4GB, thus is not as effective as a 64-bit one.Ī 64-bit program processes large amounts of data, and can do this more accurately as it has more bits than a 32-bit program.
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Therefore, if you have more than 4GB of RAM installed in your computer, a 64-bit program will be more suited for your computer than a 32-bit one. What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit programs? The difference lies in compatibility with operating systems, amount of memory they can efficiently use, and the speed with which they execute commands.Ī 64-bit program utilizes random access memory more effectively, is more secure and faster than a 32-bit program. Comparison Chart 32-bit programsĬan potentially address more than 4 billion times more memoryĬan run on both 32-bit and 64-bit operating system. 64-bit operating systems and programs handle larger amounts of memory and data more effectively compared to 32-bit models.
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Most bulky programs such as games and Photoshop are packaged in 64-bit format.ģ2-bit or 64-bit are terms used to refer to how a processor in a computer handles information. Computer running on a 64-bit operating systemĪ 64-bit program is software that uses a 64-bit linear address space and is capable of utilizing more than 4GB of random access memory when running.
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