X64 cpu with X32 OS

[Drsignguy]

I asked this in another thread but was very curious about this.

Quote: If I may, Question about the OEM.... I have not used it yet, was planing to but decided to upgrade first. Only thing is that I now have a e2160 which is X64 and the Os is X32. Could I still install it using this architecture ? And if so, would it be difficult to configure due to drivers and such.

 

[IamDavid]

no probs at all

 

[Drsignguy]

Ok great, Dont have to waste the OS on an older system! Thanks

 

[ethebubbeth]

I have been running 32bit XP on 64bit processors since my Athlon64 3000+ in fall 2003. The processors are completely backwards compatible with x86 😛

 

[Tullphan]

What advantages are there of a 64bit OS vs. a 32bit OS for the average user?

 

[ethebubbeth]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
What advantages are there of a 64bit OS vs. a 32bit OS for the average user?

Not much unless you have >=4gb of ram, or want to run 64bit binaries.

 

[ncage]

Originally posted by: Tullphan
What advantages are there of a 64bit OS vs. a 32bit OS for the average user?

Like ethebubbeth said usually not much for the "general" user. There are a few general user applications that are optimized for x64 but not may. I think i remember reading about the UT3 engine and how tim sweney was able to manipulate bigger textures in memory in x64. Those people who said moving to x64 was just about memory limitations was false. With the change from 32 bit numbers to 64 bit number you have some improvements with certain applications but like i said the application developers had to optimize situations for the x64 architecture and they had to be pretty intensive applications (video encoding, scientific apps, ect) but i don't think many applications right now are optimized for x64. Also, as far as i know, x64 drivers, if your a gamer, aren't as good. So it all depends on your needs. I am currently thinking of upgrading a machine from Windows Server 2003 R2 to Windows Server 2008. If i do i will go with the x64 version because there is a lot of server software that microsoft is going to release in the future that is going to require x64 (Exchange & Hyper-V currently).

Ncage

 

[QuixoticOne]

I believe some of the security features in Internet Explorer 7 are only for x64.

I believe also that some of the general security features that help prevent buffer overflow type attacks are only useful or most useful on x64. Address space layout randomization and some aspects (but not all) of data execution protection stuff.

 

[ncage]

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne
I believe some of the security features in Internet Explorer 7 are only for x64.

I believe also that some of the general security features that help prevent buffer overflow type attacks are only useful or most useful on x64. Address space layout randomization and some aspects (but not all) of data execution protection stuff.

You are correct. I forgot the security feature. THe sandboxing feature in ie is only there in x64 and also the root protection (from root toolkits) is also only in x64.

Ncage

 

[imported_wired247]

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne
I believe some of the security features in Internet Explorer 7 are only for x64.

I believe also that some of the general security features that help prevent buffer overflow type attacks are only useful or most useful on x64. Address space layout randomization and some aspects (but not all) of data execution protection stuff.

Although browsing can get annoying quickly as Adobe still hasn't released an x64 flash player (unless they have done so in the past month, I haven't checked)

so many websites have small embedded flash appelets... those pop ups get annoying "DO YOU? WANT TO INSTALL FLASH? ZOMG?!"

So I usually just stick with the 32 bit browsers

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: ncage

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne
I believe some of the security features in Internet Explorer 7 are only for x64.

I believe also that some of the general security features that help prevent buffer overflow type attacks are only useful or most useful on x64. Address space layout randomization and some aspects (but not all) of data execution protection stuff.

You are correct. I forgot the security feature. THe sandboxing feature in ie is only there in x64 and also the root protection (from root toolkits) is also only in x64.

Ncage

Sandboxing is in both version, the rootkit protection is in x64.

 

[stash]

ASLR is in both versions.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: stash
ASLR is in both versions.

If you refering to my post, I was commenting on patchguard, not ASLR (for whats its worth)

Cheers,
Bill

 

[stash]

Sorry, I was referring to QuixoticOne:

I believe also that some of the general security features that help prevent buffer overflow type attacks are only useful or most useful on x64. Address space layout randomization and some aspects (but not all) of data execution protection stuff.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: stash
Sorry, I was referring to QuixoticOne:

I believe also that some of the general security features that help prevent buffer overflow type attacks are only useful or most useful on x64. Address space layout randomization and some aspects (but not all) of data execution protection stuff.

Aww missed that (thanks). I looked for ASLR in the thread and missed his description of it. As to that comment, the CPU just needs NX support for the data execution 'stuff' as well. Many chips that do that are x64 capable, but here are some x86 only varieties from what I remember.