Was an excellent topic for debate and long conversations on computer theme. Everyone had their own opinion about 32 and 64 bit processors and their differences. Now this topic has become less popular, since everyone is accustomed to the fact that absolutely all modern processors are personal computers are 64-bit. However, some questions regarding processor capacity still concern PC users. In this material we will talk about how to find out the bit depth of a processor, as well as what bit depth is and what are the differences between 32 and 64-bit chips.

So, in order to find out the bit depth of your processor, you will need the CPU-Z program. This program It is distributed absolutely free of charge and can be downloaded from the developer’s website. With its help you can get all the possible information about your CPU, that is, about your processor.

Download, install and run the CPU-Z program. Immediately after launch, you will see something like this:

This window contains all the technical characteristics of the processor installed in your computer. The processor bit size is indicated by support for EM64T (Intel64) instructions if you have an Intel processor, or support for x86-64 (AMD64) instructions if you have an AMD processor. If these instructions do not appear in CPU-Z, your processor is 32-bit.

In fact, finding a computer with a 32-bit processor is not so easy now. After all, all processors, starting from AMD Athlon 64 and later Pentium 4 models are 64-bit.

We already know how to find out the bit capacity of a processor; now it’s time to understand the very concept of bit capacity. Bit capacity is the number of bits (or bits) that the processor can simultaneously process.

The bit capacity of processors increased with the development of technology. So, in 1971 Intel company created the first 4-bit processor 4004, then there was an 8-bit 8080 and a 16-bit 8086. In 1985, the first 32-bit processor 80386 appeared, which later became the main one for all modern PC processors. And in 2003, the first 64-bit processor for desktop computers appeared, it was the Athlon 64 from AMD.

In addition, the term capacity can be applied to buses. For example, in technical specifications indicates the memory bus width. Bus width is the number of bits that can be transferred on the bus at one time.

From the PC end user's point of view, 64-bit processors have only one significant advantage - the ability to address more than 4 GB RAM. That is, when using a 64-bit processor, you can install 8, 16, 32 or any other number of gigabytes of RAM in your computer.

Naturally, in addition to a 64-bit processor, you must also have a 64-bit operating system installed. If you install a regular 32-bit operating system on a computer with a 64-bit processor, the computer will operate in 32-bit mode and the amount of available memory will be limited to 4 GB.

To find out what operating system is installed on your computer, open: Control Panel – System and Security – System.

This contains some information about your computer and operating system. Opposite the item “Type operating system"The bit depth of the installed operating system will be indicated.

The bit depth (or bit depth) of the central processing unit (CPU) is the number of bits that the CPU can process in one command. Bit capacity determines the number of bits allocated for storing one data cell. That is, if the architecture of your processor, for example, is 32-bit, then it can work with numbers that are represented in binary code of 32 bits, and it can process these numbers in one command.

In the same way (in one command) data of smaller capacity can be processed, just their most significant bits will be ignored. Modern CPUs can work with 8, 16, 32 and 64-bit data types. All CPUs used in computers today are either 32-bit or 64-bit.

Often, when reading CPU descriptions, you can come across the designation x86 - this means that we are dealing with a 32-bit architecture. If the inscription x64 is found, then we can say that this CPU has a bit capacity of 64.

Important! Often the CPU bit rate is mistakenly taken as the basis for determining the maximum amount of memory it can access. This is naturally not the case. The address and data buses of almost any CPU have different bit sizes and do not affect each other in any way.

The value of the CPU bit plays an important role for users, since the bits of the operating system (OS) and the processor that are used with each other must match. However, the principle of backward compatibility works here: both a 32 and 64 bit operating system can be installed on a 64-bit CPU.

The version of the operating system in this case does not matter: for example, all Windows or Linux operating systems, since the advent of the first 64-bit CPUs, have both 32-bit and 64-bit assemblies. That is, there are all versions of Windows (from XP to 10) that have both 64 and 32 bit environments.

Important! It is impossible to install an OS with “x64” in its name on a CPU of x86 families! Moreover, it is impossible to run executable files for 64 bit CPU on 32 bit OS.

This is why determining which data (32 or 64 bits) is being used by the CPU is very important. Often the performance of fairly large groups of users using the same software depends on this.

This article will look at how to find out the processor bit depth using various methods.

There are many ways to determine the processor bit depth. You can view information about it either using software or BIOS tools; in extreme cases, you can simply see the CPU marking and use it to determine how many bits are allocated for data processing. Sometimes this information is quite simple to obtain: for example, if the number of CPU cores is more than one, then this CPU is 64-bit.

Via command line

One of the most effective ways, how to determine the processor bit depth without using additional tools. To implement it, you should run command line– open the “Run” item in the “Start” menu (or press Win + R on the keyboard) and in the window that appears, type the command “cmd”, then press “Enter”.

The command processor console will open. In it you should enter the command “systeminfo”. The result of its execution will be a long list of system parameters. The item we are interested in is called “Processor(s):” The name of the CPU model will be written in it. And its bit depth must be indicated (either with the numbers 32 or 64, or with the inscriptions “x86” or “x64”).

Through computer properties

You can determine what bit depth the processor supports by looking at the system properties.

One way to do this is to go into the “System” parameter of the control panel and there, in the “System Type” section, you can see its bit capacity. If it is 64, then the CPU is also 64 bit.

However, as mentioned earlier, since a 64-bit CPU can be installed on a 32-bit system, it will be necessary to clarify the type of CPU used. To do this, go to the “Device Manager”, a link to which is on the same page, select the CPU in “Devices” and open the “Information” tab in its properties.

In this tab, the parameter we are interested in is called “Equipment ID”. It will indicate the type of processor used - 64 or 32 bit.

An alternative is to examine the properties of the device called "Computer" in Device Manager. It may contain a description of the type of PC used, indicating its bit capacity.

Similar to the properties of the processor, you should go to the computer properties and in the “Information” tab look at the description of the device. The parameter may also be called Display Name. In any case, it will contain either the inscription “x86” or “x64”, which will correspond to the bit capacity of the CPU used, 32 or 64, respectively.

Find out the bit depth via the Internet

To do this, just type the phrase “find out bit depth online” in the search bar. The first 5-10 search results will provide links to sites that define this parameter. After that, you should go to this site and the active content will automatically recognize the number of CPU bits and the OS version.

Important! The execution of active components may be blocked by the browser, and in this case it will not be possible to determine the parameter of interest. To do this, you must allow active content to run on the page.

Via BIOS

The easiest way that does not require software at all. When booting your PC, you should enter the BIOS by pressing F2 or Del. Next, you should select the “System Settings”, “Main” or “CPU Settings” section - depending on the BIOS manufacturer, it may be called differently, and look at the value of the “Processor Type” parameter. It will indicate the manufacturer, CPU model, frequency and bit depth.

Greetings, dear friends. Today we’ll talk, as you understand from the title, about Windows bit depth.

Not many computer users have heard that Windows has a certain bit capacity - x32, x64 and x86, and even fewer users actually know what it is, where to get it/change it and why it is needed. There are even a number of myths associated with these bit depths.

While surfing the Internet the other day, I noticed an interesting thing - there is quite a bit of intelligible information on this issue, which actually prompted me to write this article.

Introductory information about Windows bit depth

Let me start, perhaps, with the fact that Windows currently has two bit depths: 32-bit and 64-bit, i.e. distributions are divided into x32 and x64, respectively. As for x86, this is nothing more than a designation for the 32-bit version (i.e. if you see x86, then know that we are talking about x32). Why two names are absolutely not clear, but know that if you did not specifically install a 64-bit operating system, then your Windows is 32-bit.

However, just in case, you can see the bit depth in the system in the simplest way: find the “My Computer” shortcut, right-click on it and select Properties (the screenshot below is relevant for Windows 7, in the case of Windows XP the window will be slightly different, but the meaning is the same):

Let's figure out how the distributions and bit depth of Windows x32 differ from Windows x64 and whether it's worth switching to 64-bit at all.

Note: not only the system, but also programs (and drivers) have a bit capacity, that is, there are 32-bit and 64-bit, and therefore, following the text below, they can see and use either a limited amount of memory or all of it.

Is it worth exchanging awl for soap and vice versa?

The main and perhaps the only difference between x64 and x32 is that the x64 version can work with memory up to 32 GB and run both 64-bit and 32-bit applications simultaneously, while the traditional x32 can only address up to 4 GB of memory, run only 32-bit programs for which only 3 GB are available (simply put, even if the computer has 4 GB (or more) of memory, the 32-bit system will display and work with only 3, and the rest of the memory will simply be idle, because neither the system nor the programs will simply see it).

For the x64 version the situation is different: all 4 (or more) GB are available for 32-bit applications , and for 64-bit applications, in general, all the RAM that is physically installed in the computer. I repeat that a 64-bit system can run both applications, but not vice versa.

In general terms, this is it. The rest is a bunch of technical and not very detailed details that, in general, you don’t really need to know, and therefore I’ll simply give some results that will explain why it’s worth/not worth (it’s up to you to decide anyway) to switch to x64.

Which Windows bit depth should you choose and why?

Let's go. All the pros and cons of switching to Windows x64:

• 64-bit Windows version, formally looks and feels exactly the same as a regular 32-bit one, i.e. there are no special innovations or bonuses in it, however, people with multi-core processors can experience an increase in performance when using such a system and 64-bit applications in it (which, however, is not relevant for everyone and not always);
• x64 is capable of seeing and working with 4 GB or more RAM. But x32 sees only 3 GB, even if the RAM physically costs more. That is, people who have a large amount of memory in their computer will get better performance on a 64-bit system and fewer problems with insufficient RAM;
• Not for all computers and the hardware in them, manufacturers have released 64-bit versions of drivers, which can become a problem when switching to such a system. Check the availability of drivers on the website of the manufacturers of motherboards, video cards, etc., it is possible that you simply will not be able to migrate from a 32-bit system;
• Most x32 applications work fine on x64 systems, but not vice versa;
• Formally, the meaning of the transition mainly lies in the amount of memory on board the computer. If it is less than 4 GB, then there is almost no point in switching. If it’s more (or you want to put more), then it’s worth it. Naturally, for most systems, applications and games, the rule “The more memory, the better” is relevant. Why? Read in my article ""
• My opinion is definitely x64, because large number memory and, sometimes, improved performance for multi-cores, definitely rules.

There are two types of processors: 32-bit and 64-bit. These numbers indicate the processor bit depth. The processor you use will determine which version of the operating system you use, how you choose programs and games, and how much RAM you can install on your computer. You can also come across the designation x86, which is often mistakenly mistaken for a separate processor bit size. But first of all, let's determine what type of operating system is installed on your computer.

How to find out the bitness of installed Windows

There are several ways to find out how many bits your Windows operating system uses. Look for x32 or x64 as these are the main indicators of the system's bit capacity, while x86 can refer to either a single-core or dual-core system. First, let's look at the simplest and fastest option.

Through computer properties

Through system information

Differences and benefits of different numbers of cores

So, there are two types of processors: single-core (x32) and dual-core (x64). Sometimes you can see the designation x86 - this is not separate species processors, but a designation for the microprocessor architecture. Most often, the x86 number indicates that the processor is single-core, but it can also be used for a 64-bit processor. Therefore, you should not rely on it; always look for the designation in x36 or x64 format.

The performance and operating speed are, accordingly, higher for 64-bit processors, since two cores work at once, rather than one. If you use a 32-bit processor, you can install as much random access memory (RAM) as you want on your computer, but the system will only use 4 GB of the total memory. With a 64-bit processor, you can use up to 32 GB of RAM.

Performance and speed are higher for 64-bit processors, since two cores work at once, rather than one

Requirements for a 64-bit system

The main advantage of x64 processors is that they support programs, games and operating systems written not only for 64-bit processors, but also for 32-bit ones. That is, if you have an x32 processor, then you can only install a 32-bit Windows operating system, but not a 64-bit one.

Which bit is better?

From all of the above, we can conclude that if you are choosing between one and two cores, then the second option is preferable, since most modern programs and games require 64 bits. It is possible that in the future the 32-bit system will be completely abandoned, since its power is not enough for anything.

How to upgrade to Windows 7 x64

If you want to increase system performance and the amount of available RAM, as well as expand the number of supported applications and games, then you need to switch to a 64-bit operating system. The only way to do this is to erase the old 32-bit system and install a new one.

Please note that all files located on the computer will be irretrievably lost when performing this operation, so copy them to third-party media in advance so as not to lose anything important. So, after you begin installing the new operating system, you will be asked to select a language and confirm the start of the operation, as well as select the system version. Select the one that has x64 bit and go through the installation process.

Select the architecture type and continue the installation process

Why won't 64-bit Windows install?

If the installation is unsuccessful, it means that your processor does not support a 64-bit system and is designed only for x32. There is only one way out of this situation - to purchase a new processor that will meet your requirements.

How to determine the processor bit size

There are several ways to determine how many cores your computer's processor contains and uses.