32 bit vs 64 bit

[Christopher Browne]

On 8/20/06, Robin Humble <rjh-tkNKonCg4laeFQavDyXPBQ at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> On Sun, Aug 20, 2006 at 03:18:32PM -0400, John Mcgregor wrote:
> >        Earlier this week there was a discussion about using the 32 bit
> >version of Linux on 64 bit machines. I have an Acer laptop with a Turion
> >processor on which I would like to do just that. Is it just as simple as
> >downloading and burning a 32 bit distro, or is there some sort of
> >parameter that I have to pass  at the initial boot as well?
>
> just install from a 32bit distro.
>
> no idea why you'd want a 32bit distro on a 64bit machine though.
> it'll be slower.

There's some benefit to both directions...

- In the "running in 32 bit mode" direction, there is the merit that
things like Flash players and video codecs and OpenOffice.org and such
that are primarily or fundamentally 32 bit code will run with as few
layers of complications as possible.

- Of course, there will be applications that can benefit from being
aware of extra registers and of larger "bit grabs".

I don't see indication of there being *enormous* performance
differences for common "desktop and web browsing and writing some
documents" purposes...
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