How do I find out whether a 32- or 64-bit system is on a computer?

In this century of rapid development of high technologies, sophisticated PC users are very carefully approaching the choice of their iron "friend." A modern computer must meet a number of criteria: it must have good technical characteristics, reliability and, first of all, of course, high performance (the last item is responsible for the processor).

Modern CPUs are divided into 2 types: 32- and 64-bit. Before you know whether 32-bit or 64-bit system types are preferable to use, we'll first figure out what those numbers mean. Without going deep into the basics of computer architecture, it can be said that bit depth is the number of bits of information that a system can operate at a time. Indeed, Windows 64 bit can use up to 16 GB of RAM, while x32 is limited to 4 GB. It's logical to assume that a 64-bit system runs twice as fast as its "old" 32-bit predecessor, so it's better, however, it's only at first glance. In fact, this is a very controversial issue.

First, when using the x64 processor in "home" conditions, there will not be a particular benefit for the user. The reason for this is that this system does not realize its full potential in this mode of operation. The fact is that processors of this type were originally developed for design institutes, enterprises and financial organizations (to work with extremely large data sets).

Secondly, the biggest problem with 64-bit computing systems is incompatibility with the software. The fact is that many programs and drivers to them were originally written for 32-bit types of processors, and when they try to use them on a new generation system, they either just do not start, or they give an error message. However, it is worth noting that most developers are currently adapting their applications to the x64 version.

So, how do you know: 32 or 64 bit? Which of these types should the average user choose to fall on? If you are not going to develop three-dimensional graphic prototypes, but plan to only communicate in social networks, work with text or listen to music, then the usual 32-bit processor will cope with all these tasks quite tolerably.

And how do you know whether a 32- bit or 64- bit system is in your hands? Information about this can be found in the "My Computer" menu by going to the "System Properties" tab (or simply by pressing the "Win + Break" combination). If you have installed, for example, Win XP 64, this is always indicated, if in the properties of the system you did not find any information about the bit depth of the CPU, then, most likely, it is 32-bit.

Based on the technical characteristics of the computer, you should choose the type of operating system to be installed . It is important to remember that on 64 bit processor Windows x32 will work quietly, and in a 32-bit computer the 64-bit OS will never go.

By the way, at present most manufacturers of computer equipment are gradually moving to the production of exclusively 64-bit systems as the most prospective. Therefore, in the near future, as you might guess, the question of how to find out whether 32 or 64 bit is better will disappear by itself.