32bit vs 64bit

[Kilarin]

Hello!

I've got a HP Pavilion a1600n AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual core Processor 3800+ 2.00 GHz.

When I first installed Ubuntu (about a year ago I think), I installed the i386 version. I can't remember WHY now. I may have simply been ignorance. Because clearly I'm working on a 64bit machine. My system is currently up to date with 8.04 Hardy and 32bit Ubuntu has been working great for me all along, and still is.

I have TWO questions.

1: Would there be any big advantages to upgrade to the 64bit version? Or might there even be disadvantages?

2: IF I decided to upgrade, is there anyway to upgrade in place through the update manager, just like you upgrade to a new version of Ubuntu when it comes out, or would the process be a lot more complicated than that?

thanks!

[iaculallad]

Try reading this Community Ubuntu Documentation (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/32bit_and_64bit).

[ScaredNoob]

I say give it a whirl for yourself (fresh install from 64 bit cd/dvd) and report back here your findings. Others chime in as well.

[mivo]

This is a rather controversial and recurring topic.

I used the 64-bit versions of Feisty and Gutsy, but the 32-bit browser workaround to get Sun's java browser plugin working on 64-bit didn't succeed for me in Hardy (it did work for others), so I fell back on Hardy 32-bit. I don't do anything computing-intensive (no video encoding, lots of compiling, sound editing, etc.), so I actually notice zero speed difference between 32- and 64-bit. I'll switch back to 64-bit when/if Sun releases 64-bit browser plugins (the free alternatives don't run some applets I want/need to use), just out of principle, but until then I'll just go with the more convenient (for me) 32-bit version. Java's the only crucial point I see, though. I only have 3 GB RAM, so 64-bit doesn't offer me any advantages currently (with my user profile).

[bodhi.zazen]

If you are running 32 bit ubuntu you must re-install to go to 64 bit.

In general you should run teh 64 bit version if you have a 64 bit processor.

There may be exceptions to this rule, but they are the exceptions.

i86_64 :

Advantages / Disadvantages : http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=368607

If you want "opinions" search the forums you will find many many opinions on this issue.

[ilrudie]

I have been running hardy x64 on a Phenom and it has been stable and fast. I have not had any problems that I thought were related to running x64.

[Kilarin]

Try reading this Community Ubuntu Documentation.
Thanks, thats what I was looking for. My mistake was searching for "32bit vs 64bit" instead of "32bit AND 64bit" I guess.

I appreciate all of the links and info folks. Thanks!

[cardinals_fan]

I just installed 64-bit Arch and I love it!

[samjh]

I've been using 64-bit Ubuntu for around 6 months, with no significant issues. In fact, the system is more responsive than with 32-bit.

The only "gotcha" is with Java applets, because Sun hasn't released a Mozilla browser plugin for Java applets for 64-bit systems. But that problem can be overcome by running Firefox and Sun JRE using Wine (or you can even install 32-bit Firefox and Java, which is more complicated).