64-bit processors

[morpheus]

I'm thinking of putting a 64-bit processor into my computer. Can I run 32-bit applications/OS's on a 64-bit processor without run an emulation program or taking a hit in performance (I heard somewhere that you needed an emulator that hogs resources)? Thanks.

 

[howard_hopkinso]

As far as I`m aware, there should be no problem running 32bit apps with a 64bit processor. And as for an emulator I`ve never heard of one being needed.

Regards Howard

 

[MrGaribaldi]

As long as you stay with "mainstream" 64-bit cpus (like AMD og Intel) it shouldn't be a problem. That's because they're an extension of the 32-bit instruction set, meaning they they natively support 32-bit applications.

But if you're going for some of the more exotic versions from Sun & co, then you might be in for a problem...