What’s the difference between… 32bit and 64bit?

QYour Jargon Buster says that 64bit systems process more information than 32bit machines, but what does that mean in practice? Do, say, images processed on a 64bit PC look different to those created on a 32bit one? Why do some programs run on either bit size, while others have separate versions for 32 or 64bit systems? Eric Gendle

AAt risk of oversimplifying a complicated topic, it’s perhaps easiest to think of the difference in terms of motorway lanes.

In this analogy the data generated by the programs that run on your PC is like the cars, buses and lorries that travel on our roads. The weight of traffic varies throughout the day but a wider motorway will be able to handle more vehicles, more of the time.

The amount of data generated by your computer similarly varies. A 64bit setup will channel and process this information more quickly. The results of processed data do not differ, so edited images will look the same on both. As well, a 64bit system is able to make use of much more memory than its 32bit equivalent – up to 128GB on Windows 10 Home, against just 4GB for a 32bit version. More memory is always better, because it gives your programs more space in which to work.

In almost all practical respects, a 64bit setup is best. So why do some developers still produce 32bit programs? The answer is mostly down to compatibility, with perhaps the occasional bit of laziness thrown in. A 64bit program won’t run on a 32bit system, but a 32bit program will usually work fine on a 64bit PC. There are still millions of PCS with 32bit processors and operating systems, including 32bit editions of Windows 10. Creating 32bit programs is generally a bit easier, so opting for the latter makes plenty of sense for many developers.

To see what your own system is, press Windows key+r, type msinfo32 and press Enter, then check the entry next to System Type (see screenshot). If it says ‘x64’, download 64bit programs whenever you can.