Why is it so important to have to choose between a 32-bit and a 64-bit version of the software?
Are you going to add a new program to your computer? Sure, when you go to the download page or run the installer, you will see the option to choose between a 32-bit or 64-bit architecture, and you won't know which one to choose.
Finding the best option on Google can be confusing, especially with so much information available. You might instinctively choose the top option, which is understandable to some extent, but it's important to understand why.
This decision is linked to several factors, such as compatibility, performance, and even security. Do you want to know the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit systems? Understanding these concepts will help you avoid mistakes when using new applications on your Windows, macOS, or Linux device.
Choosing any architecture without prior planning is a serious mistake, as it can lead to numerous compatibility and performance issues. If you want to improve your applications and avoid future problems, you need to understand how they work.
To begin with, it is important to understand that having a program in two versions (32-bit or 64-bit) does not necessarily mean additional features or higher quality as a result of the numerical difference, but rather a difference in the way the program communicates with the processor.
The processor manages memory, so the number of bits represents the amount of memory the processor can access. In other words, it's the amount of space it can "see" and manage at one time for the application to run.
Therefore, a 32-bit (x86) system means it handles up to 2³² memory locations, limiting the maximum RAM capacity to 4GB. In other words, if your computer has 4GB or less, you should choose the 32-bit version of your software (which is older and slower).
As for 64-bit processors (x86_64), they process a larger amount of data in each clock cycle without needing to be divided, making them suitable for resource-intensive tasks such as encryption, graphics processing, and encoding.
Specifically, the theoretical limit is 18 exabytes, which is compatible with systems that have more than 4 GB of RAM. Therefore, if your computer has 8 GB, 16 GB, or more of RAM, it is running a 64-bit system.
Can you use a 32-bit system even if your computer has more than 4 GB of RAM? Yes, you can, but keep in mind that the system will only recognize about 3.2 or 3.5 GB of RAM, while the remaining 4.5 GB will be ignored, so you will waste your available memory capacity.
● Why do 32-bit systems still exist?
It is currently difficult to envision new desktop or laptop computers with 4GB of RAM because that would be too restrictive; even in modern mobile phones, the minimum is now 8GB of RAM.
So why isn't the 32-bit architecture being abandoned? The reason it continues is that when the 64-bit architecture emerged, millions of 32-bit applications were still in use.
The transition wasn't seamless; it was gradual and evolved into the current state. For this reason, Microsoft created WOW64, which acts as a compatibility layer, allowing 32-bit applications to run on a 64-bit system without impacting performance.
Thanks to this, most of the programs in the Microsoft Store do not give you the option to choose, because if the program is stuck in 32-bit mode, it will be intelligently converted to 64-bit mode by the WOW64 process on the CPU without anything being affected.
You may have noticed this duplication in folders such as Program Files and Program Files (x86). There are also System32 and SysWOW64 folders for historical compatibility reasons.
As for Apple, it completely eliminated support for 32-bit applications starting with macOS Catalina, and Linux is heading in the same direction because it is impossible to run without technology like that mentioned for Windows.