64 or 32 bits for desktop?

[fernandoch]

I have a laptop with 4 GB of RAM and I am planning to install Ubuntu 10.10.

What would you recommend? 64 or 32 bits? and why?

Thank you.

[cipherboy_loc]

Please boot the Ubuntu 10.10 LiveCD (use 32-bit) and post the output of:


cat /proc/cpuinfo

From the terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal). This will give us some info into what processor you are using/have in your system.


Cipherboy

[fernandoch]

Here is the output, although I don't understand why it is needed, my CPU is able to run 64 bits programs


fernando@fernando-laptop:~$ sudo cat /proc/cpuinfo
[sudo] password for fernando:
processor : 0
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 6
model : 23
model name : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8400 @ 2.26GHz
stepping : 6
cpu MHz : 800.000
cache size : 3072 KB
physical id : 0
siblings : 2
core id : 0
cpu cores : 2
apicid : 0
initial apicid : 0
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 10
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx smx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm sse4_1 lahf_lm tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority
bogomips : 4521.08
clflush size : 64
power management:

processor : 1
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 6
model : 23
model name : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8400 @ 2.26GHz
stepping : 6
cpu MHz : 2266.000
cache size : 3072 KB
physical id : 0
siblings : 2
core id : 1
cpu cores : 2
apicid : 1
initial apicid : 1
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 10
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx lm constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl vmx smx est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm sse4_1 lahf_lm tpr_shadow vnmi flexpriority
bogomips : 4520.94
clflush size : 64
power management:

[3Miro]

Use 32-bit only if something in the 64 doesn't work (which is unlikely). Some printer drivers and some windows codecs may have hard time working, otherwise use 64-bit.

[fernandoch]

So why when you go to the download, it is recommended the 32 bits?

[wojox]

So why when you go to the download, it is recommended the 32 bits?

It's just easier for new people getting things setup like 3Miro said about drivers and such.

You can use 64 bit since you have the lm - long mode flag.

[oldos2er]

What would you recommend? 64 or 32 bits? and why?


For the same reason we went from 8-bit to 16-bit, 16-bit to 32-bit; to take full advantage of your hardware's capabilities.

If you choose 64-bit, Flashaid provides an easy way to install 64-bit flash.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/161939/

[fernandoch]

Why this addon? The default one does not work properly?

[KdotJ]

Some people have issues getting flash to work at first. But it is entiry possible, I got it working with no issues at all.

I'd go with 64bit, why stay behind with the times lol

[oldos2er]

64-bit flash is not in the repositories, Flashaid makes it easy to install.

[fernandoch]

Thank you all!