x86 Platform Edition 32-bit and x86 Platform Edition 64-bit

[zillah]

I am looking to understand what does it mean 32-bit and 64-bit with the below phrase :

1- x86 Platform Edition 32-bit and x86 Platform Edition 64-bit---for Linux or Unix

2- Is number 1 different form (64-bit) and (32-bit) in Windows OS ?

For instance I read on the net :

((Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition 64-bit and Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition 32-bit))

[techieMoe]

The best I can guess, since X86_64 (AMD64/EM64T) are technically still part of the X86 platform, then the "X86 Platform 64-bit" is referring to the 64-bit AMD64 and Intel EM64T, whereas the "X86 Platform 32-bit" refers to all other standard 32-bit CPUs.

[onlinebacon]

64-bit systems are, in theory faster, but so far, not that much difference

Hardly any apps for *nix that will utilise it, or windows

[zillah]

Because when I want to download Unix or Linux, there is option for 32 bit or 64 bit,,,,doe that mean I can download what ever I would like?

[techieMoe]

Because when I want to download Unix or Linux, there is option for 32 bit or 64 bit,,,,doe that mean I can download what ever I would like?

What processor are you going to use the software on? That determines which one you download. You cannot run the 64-bit version on a regular 32-bit CPU.

[ket]

64 bits don't necessarily mean it will be faster. It really depends on the port and how extensively the OS has been optimized to take advantage of the bigger address space. A straight port from 32 to 64 bits only mean that the software will run without problems with the bigger address space.


http://www.alllinuxcd.com

[Gnux]

The best I can guess, since X86_64 (AMD64/EM64T) are technically still part of the X86 platform, then the "X86 Platform 64-bit" is referring to the 64-bit AMD64 and Intel EM64T, whereas the "X86 Platform 32-bit" refers to all other standard 32-bit CPUs.

Note that under linux u've got two options: pure 64 whithout any lib32 (so that u cant have java and OOo) usually x86_64-64 and the multilib version that most of us use (I'm on a 64 bits plateform).
Zillah, if u don't know which processor u got type:

# cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor       : 0
vendor_id       : AuthenticAMD
cpu family      : 15
model           : 4
model name      : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+

Here is the result on my laptop. I suppose that under windows u could have this information through the configuration panel.