[ubuntu] Beginner Questions

[kakashi_12]

- First, what does the x86 mean?
- If I buy a quad core machine, can I still instill the original 32 bit Ubuntu and will it still work from a quad core but only see 2 cores?
- What is the max amount of RAM Ubuntu will see in 32 bit? in 64 bit?
- I believe I read in 32 bit, it is 4 gb, but not sure of 64 bit.

[tekkidd]

An x86 system is a 32 bit system (and an x64 of x64_86 is a 64 bit)
Depends on weather the processor is 32 bit or 64 bit.
Max ram for ubuntu 32 bit is 4GB (this is the same for any 32 bit system) the max ram for 64 bit is like 192+GB

[kakashi_12]

cool thanks. but will a 32 bit ubuntu operate correctly with a quad core, only seeing 2 cores?

[DaDJ]

I got a AMD 720 BE(got the 4th core unlocked so Ubuntu see's 4 cores), but I believe I have a 32bit os installed by default.. I always went 64bit with Vista and Win7, but I think I will need to move to 64bit so I would want all my 4gb RAM seen, I can put another 4gb but its overkill, better off on my other rig

[bigbroantonio]

Can't see why 32bit shouldn't see all four cores.... unless your BIOS isn't seeing them for some reasons (eg. not completely compatible with quad).

64bit supports (in theory) up to approximately 17.2 billion gigabytes (or 16.8 million terabytes, or 16 exabytes) of RAM, but usually there is an artificial limit on the amount of memory that can be used because physical constraints make it impossible to support the full 16.8 million terabyte capacity.

This "artificial limit", however, shouldn't really be a problem to most of us!

[kakashi_12]

AWESOME!!!!! no no, i understand completely, the board can only support so much. Imagine 16 Exabytes! wooo.

[bigbroantonio]

Originally Posted by kakashi_12 AWESOME!!!!! no no, i understand completely, the board can only support so much. Imagine 16 Exabytes! wooo.

Yeah, I suppose it would be cool. The word RAMDISK springs to mind!

[Flyers2391]

Originally Posted by kakashi_12 AWESOME!!!!! no no, i understand completely, the board can only support so much. Imagine 16 Exabytes! wooo.

I have an intel quad core (q6600) running 32 bit ubuntu and it sees all 4 cores fine

[kakashi_12]

ok, cool thanks.