64 bit memory

[Undead_Rider]

OK my question is that 64 bit cpus can stand as much ram as we can come up with. Way past 4gb like in the 20gb right?
But our motherboards today can only hold 4gb of ram which i think is what the 32 bit cpus is limited to.
So whats the point of buying a 64 bit cpu which major corperations and server people do. When the 32 bit can only stand 4gb of memory but our mobos only allow 4gb.

(that might all just be wrong but thats what i heard from a couple people)

and my 2cnd question is how do you use a 64 bit chip when there is no 64 bit os? Are people just using doss for that for now.
(once again everything up there may be wrong please ocrrect me if you have any facts)

[Surge1243]

I don't know about the first question, but as for the second one...the Athlon 64 can run 32-bit apps and OS so one doesn't necessarily need a 64-bit OS/apps to use the processor. The only drawback is that you're wasting the potential power that 64-bit computing would bring, but at least you're ready for when a 64-bit OS/app comes out.

[imbest123]

I believe that there is a 64 bit Linux.

[Undead_Rider]

linux came out with a 64 bit? If you can can you find a press release link? So a 32 bit os can be run on a 64 bit chip eh thats a nice feature to have

[imbest123]

Im not sure if there is. Ive only heard of it. It might not haev been released yet.

[Blakhart]

There is a Gentoo 64bit distro.


The architecture in the Athlon 64 series cpu has outstanding performance in 32bit. I want one.....

[David M]

I am a newbie to building computers and just did a ton of research and purchased an Athlon 64 bit FX-51. There are numerous reasons I bought the FX. First, next year Microsoft will release a 64 bit operating system. Windows 64?...naah! Right now game companies are writing 64 bit games to be released soon. The FX CPU runs 32 bit games faster than any 32 bit chip..(yes there are a couple exceptions in bench tests where the Intel 3.2 is quicker...but it is not very common.) And lastly, I bought this chip so I would not feel I got left in the dust and want to upgrade again next year.

So if you want a very fast CPU that will run ALL the new games then go with a 64 bit CPU. Next year Intel willl be coming out with its new 64 bit CPU...a P-5? Also, the FX requires registered RAM which is expensive, but according to Sharkey's article, AMD is going to produce a new 64 bit CPU which does not require it.

David M

[David M]

Oh, and about the RAM. The Asus SK8N mobo for the FX-51 holds up to 8 gigs of DDR RAM......not that any application can use this much yet. I read somewhere, that the most RAM that can be beneficial is 2 gigs......is this correct you experts?

DavidM

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by David M ... Also, the FX requires registered RAM which is expensive, but according to Sharkey's article, AMD is going to produce a new 64 bit CPU which does not require it.

Ya, it's supposed to be the 939 pin model... While the release of the 939 is 99.999% sure, the fact that it will run unregistered memory is still just a rumor...

[Undead_Rider]

if you get more than 2 gigs of memory doesn't it take longer to cycle its self or something like taht meaning 2 gigs or 1 gigs would be more benificial
Edit- Isn't the p4 ee out and 64 bit with 2mb of cache and cheaper than the fx running at the exactly same speeds

[Cricket]

Originally posted by Undead_Rider Edit- Isn't the p4 ee out and 64 bit with 2mb of cache and cheaper than the fx running at the exactly same speeds

The P4 EE is a 32 bit processor (like all the other P4 processors), not 64 bit.

Cricket

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by Undead_Rider if you get more than 2 gigs of memory doesn't it take longer to cycle its self or something like taht meaning 2 gigs or 1 gigs would be more benificial

That's kinda true, but new limits abound everyday. In older days..... say when Win 98 was hot, there was a bell curve in performance over amount of memory. Going from 32MB to 64 showed a great improvement. Going to 128 was yet another good leap, but not quite as drastic (don't forget memory prices back then). Upping to 256 was considered by most as the sweet spot, as the performance peeked out, but was still kinda affordable. But it was not a great jump from 126. Going up further to 512 (very cost prohibitive for many) only showed very little increase in performance, and in some benchmarks, actually showed a decrease. Going above that showed no benifit at all, and a decrease in most tests.

That was because of the processing "overhead" to find and calculate memory addresses. But, that was then and this is now. We have faster CPUs, better (in some regards, like memory management) OS, and memory is dirt cheap.

The tests are not in yet, but the 64s should have no problems wth that kind of memory or a lot more. Even modern 32 bit systems run fine with large amounts of memory. Just think of the modern server.

HTH

TwoRails

[Undead_Rider]

yea but the 32bits can only hold up to 4 gigs of mem but the 64 bits can go way way way passed that by a long shot but their is no motherboard that goes over 8 gigs of memory allowed meaning why would u want it But i guess someday the memory will come in handy?

[Cricket]

Originally posted by Undead_Rider their is no motherboard that goes over 8 gigs of memory allowed

There are server motherboards support more than 8GB of registered ECC RAM. This one and this one both support up the 12GB registered ECC RAM.

Cricket