An Brief Introduction To 32-bit vs. 64-bit Computing

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer’s processor handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows (or Mac OS X) handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system. 64-bit architectures indisputably make working with large data sets in applications such as CAD, digital video, scientific computing, and large databases easier, and faster.

One of the greatest advantages of using a 64-bit version of Windows is the ability to access RAM above the 4-gigabyte (GB) range. This physical memory is not addressable by 32-bit versions of Windows. In other words, it technically does no good to put 8Gb of RAM in a 32-bit Windows machine. Windows can’t use anything over 4Gb (technically about 3.4Gb, Windows needs the rest to run itself). 64-bit Windows, on the other hand, can handle more than 128Gb of RAM!

To find out if your computer is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, do the following: Open System by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System. Under System, you can view the system type (no need to look for Mac OS X Snow Leopard, its only flavor is 64-bit). You can also use the DXDIAG command from the command line (Start > Run). One thing to keep in mind, 32-bit applications don’t always run well on a 64-bit box with a 64-bit OS. Such as the case of older versions of CAD packages like AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010. It wasn’t “made” for 64-bit. It’ll run, but you may find an issue here and there.

Civil 3D 2011, however, was made for 64-bit; it can process large amounts of data quickly. Much more so than its 32-bit counterpart. How much more? It’s possible to create a file with 4 million points and 20 million TIN faces on a 64-bit box that a 32-bit box can’t consume; think LiDAR or SONAR.

So if you’re in the market for a new workstation, you owe it to yourself to investigate 64-bit. You’ll multi-task with ease, and you’ll have a system that will last for 3 years or more – a secret Mac users have known all along. Do you maybe owe it to yourself to investigate the purchase of a Mac? Absolutely. Click Here for more information on running AutoCAD apps on the Mac.