[wellylug] 32bit or 64bit

[Cliff Pratt]

Daniel Pittman wrote:
>>
>> Is the 64bit version that much faster that it is worth trying?
> 
> Probably not.  You are unlikely to notice any real performance
> difference between the 32 and 64 bit versions unless you have long
> running processor intensive jobs[1] like scientific calculation or
> graphical rendering.  Well, or if you have more than 3.5 GB of memory in
> the machine. :)
> 
> The 32 bit version, at the moment, has much greater compatibility with
> closed source tools including Flash and multi-media codecs, so I would
> advise sticking with it on that basis.
>
Hmm, if everyone took that approach, would we make any progress? <grin>
> 
> Alternately, a 64-bit RPM based distribution may be less painful if you
> really want the 64-bit part, but want the 32-bit binary stuff.  RPM
> currently has better "multi-arch" support, which allows it to have 32
> and 64 bit versions of software side by side more easily.
> 
> Personally, I don't think the trade-off is worth it, so have KUbuntu
> 32-bit on the hardware I use. :)
> 
I've gone 64-bit on the grounds that the 64 bit stuff will be along 
eventually.

Cheers,

Cliff