64-bit computing
2 ResultsDictionary
64-bit computing
Refers to CPUs that process 64 bits as a single unit, compared to 8, 16 or 32. Today's fastest computers are 64-bit machines; however, they are not twice as fast as 32-bit computers, because the...
Dictionary
Definition: 64-bit computing
Refers to CPUs that process 64 bits as a single unit, compared to 8, 16 or 32. Today's fastest computers are 64-bit machines; however, they are not twice as fast as 32-bit computers, because the 64 bit "word size" relates to internal processing. In many cases, the perceived difference can be negligible. Disk, memory, cache and bus architecture play important roles in a computer's performance (see throughput). See word.
A Lot of 32-Bit Software
Although CPUs migrated to 64-bits years ago, the vast majority of people still run 32-bit operating systems and applications in their 64-bit personal computers.
New versions of Windows come in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and Apple upgraded OS X for the Mac entirely to 64 bits in 2009 (see Snow Leopard). The complete migration from 32-bit applications to their 64-bit counterparts may take many years. For example, Windows users still run 16-bit applications that were written more than two decades ago. This is why some users opt to install the 32-bit version of Windows, because 64-bit Windows does not run 16-bit apps natively (see Windows XP Mode). For examples of 64-bit hardware, see Intel 64, AMD64, G5, Opteron and Athlon. See 32-bit computing and bit specifications.
Bytes Maximum
Processed Addressable
CPU Simultaneousy Memory
8-bit 1 65 KBytes
16-bit 2 1 MByte
32-bit 4 4 GBytes
64-bit 8 **
** Limitless for all intents
and purposes (no computer can
accommodate anywhere near the
64-bit maximum addressability).
See binary values.
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