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 What is 64-bit computing ?

R Enhancing the processing word in the architecture to

64 bits.
R Doubling the data processed in a clock cycle doesnǯt
means the processor is now twice as fast.
R Data processing speed does not change yet the data
processed in a clock cycle increases two times.
R The addressable memory increases from 4 GB to 264
which equals to 18 billion GB.
 History of 64 Bit Computing

R The first proper 64-bit system was IBM's ^


computer, in 1961.
R By early 1970ǯ 64-bit computing was being used in high-end
server setups, processing setups, and super-computers.
R In 1994 Intel announced its first plans to move to 64-bit on
its servers by joint venture with HP.
R 64-bit hit the desktop market with AMD's launch of the
Opterons and Athlon 64 chips in 2003.Though these chips
were not ǮPureǯ 64 bit.
32-bit vs. 64-bit Processors
 Benefits of 64-bit Computing

R Allowing applications to store vast amount of data in

main memory.
R Manipulating data and executing instructions in
chunks that are twice as large as in 32-bit computing.
R Allowing complex calculations with a high-level
precision.
R Can address large amount of memory and thus use
flat memory model.
Practical Uses of 64-bit computing
Is 64-bit Computing necessary ?

R Since systems with memory greater than 4 GB are becoming

common so thereǯs a greater push towards 64 bit computing
Requirements for 64-bit computing

To run a 64 bit application we need :

R A 64-bit processor
R A 64 bit operating system
R 64 bit drivers
64-bit processor architectures from
Intel and AMD

R Pure 64-bit architectures :

R IA 64
R Other 64-bit architectures :
R AMD 64
R EM64T/Intel 64
 Whatǯs Pure and why ?

R Intel IA 64 is the pure 64 bit architecture and has a

word length of 64 bits.
R It can only execute 64 bit applications.
R Architectures like AMD 64 and EM64T are extended
version of the x-86 architecture and use 16 bit word
lengths and are backward compatible with 32 bit and
16 bit applications
64-bit Registers
Disadvantages of 64-bit computing

R The main disadvantage of pure 64-bit computing is

that relative to 32-bit architectures, the same data
occupies more space in memory (due to swollen
pointers and possibly other types and alignment
padding). This increases the memory requirements of
a given process and can have implications for efficient
processor cache utilization.
 Conclusion

R 64-bit computing is a necessary technology in the

computer science areas which require larger memory
and increased performance such as scientific
computing, CAD,Large Databases etc.

R 64-bit will continue to be the technology of choice for

various organisations for years to come.
 Some Helpful Links

R http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit

R http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/10/16/64-
bit_more_than_just_the_ram/1

R http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_
Science/2004/64_bit.asp
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