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hyperdude111
December 23rd, 2008, 02:16 PM
This xmas i will be getting a new pc. This pc will have the AMD Athlon 64x2 processor. The pc comes packaged with vista...but i prefer linux so i was going to install linux mint which is ubuntu with a nice theme and some extra software.

The problem is that the pc is 64 bit. I am not sure what to do. Should I:
a) Install 32 bit mint as it suports 64
b) Install 64 bit mint

To make my decision i need to know if running the 32bit system on 64bit hardware means i can run all 32bit software on my box? Or would i still need the 64 bit version.

Are there any advantages to using 64bit linux or 32bit.

Finally If this makes a difference, I will not need the 64bit for the 4GB + ram as I only have 2GB and The pc comes pre-packaged with vista 32bit does that mean it will support all 32bit apps.

The link to all the specs is here " http://www.johnlewis.com/230493772/Product.aspx "

Thanks
-Hyper-

wykedengel
December 23rd, 2008, 02:40 PM
I have both a 32bit and 64bit laptop and I run Ubuntu 8.10 32-bit on both. I had hardware problems with the 64bit edition and 32bit runs fast enough. So, the answer is to download the live cds and see which one works for you.

arunkumar413
December 23rd, 2008, 02:45 PM
64 bit means that the cpu is handles 64 bits of data at the same time,where as 32 bit means 32 bits means that the cpu processes 32 bits of data simultaneously.This means that 64 bit is advantageous.But at present there are not much programs which support 64bit system.Even for 64bit Vista also there are not 64 bit programs.Even if u install 32 bit OS on 64 bit cpu,it may work but cannot use to their full capacity.

hyperdude111
December 23rd, 2008, 03:57 PM
Thank you both for the usefull replies, I will probably do a dual boot and use each for different tasks.

-Hyper-

oldos2er
December 23rd, 2008, 07:58 PM
"But at present there are not much programs which support 64bit system."

Which programs are you referring to? Personally, I've never found a lack of 64-bit apps in Ubuntu's repositories as compared to 32-bit apps.

To the OP: Please visit the 64-bit users subforum here, there is more info available there re 64-bit Ubuntu.