Linux Distribution 64-bit v 32-bit - Revision history

Rpeters: /* For General Users */added reference to UEFI in 64 bit computers

2016-11-17T20:35:03Z

For General Users: added reference to UEFI in 64 bit computers

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:35, 17 November 2016
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	Note that Linux Distributions may variously refer to 64-bit Linux as "x86_64" or "AMD64". The two are equivalent and the latter works on computers that are trade-marked "Intel Inside" as well as AMD-based computers.		Note that Linux Distributions may variously refer to 64-bit Linux as "x86_64" or "AMD64". The two are equivalent and the latter works on computers that are trade-marked "Intel Inside" as well as AMD-based computers.

			Computers that came with/were designed for Windows 8 or 10 have UEFI firmware and almost invariably 64 bit CPU. Installing 32-bit Linux on these can be problematic.
⚫	The exception is for computers having < 2 GB RAM. There a 32-bit distribution should be selected, whether or not the CPU supports 64-bit. PC down to 1.2 GB, perhaps 1 GB should run 32-bit desktop oriented distributions adequately.

		⚫	The exception is for computers having < 2 GB RAM. There a 32-bit distribution should be selected, whether or not the CPU supports 64-bit, but note that this is likely to cause problems in dual-boot arrangements. PC down to 1.2 GB, perhaps 1 GB should run 32-bit desktop oriented distributions adequately. Specialised mini-distributions can work well in 512 MB or less.

	=== Test for CPU Model ===		=== Test for CPU Model ===

Rpeters: altered recommendations for low RAM computers

2015-10-23T22:35:01Z

altered recommendations for low RAM computers

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:35, 23 October 2015
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	*it supports an overwhelming majority of hardware		*it supports an overwhelming majority of hardware
	*usually includes the NX feature, that is likely to provide additional protection against malware		*usually includes the NX feature, that is likely to provide additional protection against malware
			*many distributions no longer provide 32-bit versions

	Note that Linux Distributions may variously refer to 64-bit Linux as "x86_64" or "AMD64". The two are equivalent and the latter works on computers that are trade-marked "Intel Inside" as well as AMD-based computers.		Note that Linux Distributions may variously refer to 64-bit Linux as "x86_64" or "AMD64". The two are equivalent and the latter works on computers that are trade-marked "Intel Inside" as well as AMD-based computers.

			The exception is for computers having < 2 GB RAM. There a 32-bit distribution should be selected, whether or not the CPU supports 64-bit. PC down to 1.2 GB, perhaps 1 GB should run 32-bit desktop oriented distributions adequately.

	=== Test for CPU Model ===		=== Test for CPU Model ===
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	Varies substantially with the style of Distribution		Varies substantially with the style of Distribution
	*2 GB RAM is adequate for any 64-bit Desktop distribution		*2 GB RAM is adequate for any 64-bit Desktop distribution
	*1.2 GB RAM adequate for 32-bit ~~CPU~~		*1.2 GB RAM adequate for 32-bit Desktop distribution
			*512 MB RAM may be adequate for specialised server/NAS/router distributions
	**assumes installation from DVD/USB stick Installation media		**all above assumes installation from DVD/USB stick Installation media
	**more RAM is required to install from a booted Live distribution		**more RAM is required to install from a booted Live distribution
			==== Disk Space ====
			*HDD smaller than 80 GB SATA are likely to be too slow for acceptable performance

	--[[User:Rpeters\|Rod]] ([[User talk:Rpeters\|talk]]) 17:19, 15 January 2015 (AEDT)		--[[User:Rpeters\|Rod]] ([[User talk:Rpeters\|talk]]) 17:19, 15 January 2015 (AEDT)
	--[[Category:Technical Info]]		--[[Category:Technical Info]]

Rpeters: /* Test for CPU Model */ added section re Resources

2015-03-31T02:46:40Z

Test for CPU Model: added section re Resources

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 **the purpose of the Distribution would be clearly identified by the provider
 --[[User:Rpeters|Rod]] ([[User talk:Rpeters|talk]]) 17:19, 15 January 2015 (AEDT)
 --[[Category:Technical Info]]

Rpeters: /* 64-bit CPU */ updated Parted Magic, which is no longer issued as separate 64 & 32 bit ISO

2015-03-31T02:35:10Z

64-bit CPU: updated Parted Magic, which is no longer issued as separate 64 & 32 bit ISO

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:35, 31 March 2015
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	==== 64-bit CPU ====		==== 64-bit CPU ====
	A simple and reliable way to check whether a CPU supports 64-bit code is to boot a 64-bit distribution		A simple and reliable way to check whether a CPU supports 64-bit code is to boot a 64-bit distribution
	*Parted Magic is a suitable distribution for this purpose, because a 64-bit only ~~ISO~~ is ~~available~~ and it is ~~only~~ ~ ~~200~~ MB.		*Parted Magic is a suitable distribution for this purpose, because a 64-bit it is only ~ 400 MB download and a 64-bit boot can be selected.
	*alternatively, any 64-bit Distribution media could be used, if already to hand.		*alternatively, any 64-bit Distribution media could be used, if already to hand.
	*a 64-bit kernel will quickly present an error message along the lines of "unsupported CPU/architecture" if a 64-bit capable CPU is not detected		**a 64-bit kernel will quickly present an error message along the lines of "unsupported CPU/architecture" if a 64-bit capable CPU is not detected

	==== 32-bit CPU ====		==== 32-bit CPU ====

Rpeters at 06:20, 15 January 2015

2015-01-15T06:20:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:20, 15 January 2015
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	**the purpose of the Distribution would be clearly identified by the provider		**the purpose of the Distribution would be clearly identified by the provider

	--[[User:Rpeters\|~~Rpeters~~]] ([[User talk:Rpeters\|talk]]) 17:19, 15 January 2015 (AEDT)		--[[User:Rpeters\|Rod]] ([[User talk:Rpeters\|talk]]) 17:19, 15 January 2015 (AEDT)
	--[[Category:Technical Info]]		--[[Category:Technical Info]]

Rpeters at 06:19, 15 January 2015

2015-01-15T06:19:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:19, 15 January 2015
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	**these are likely to work incompletely on Desktops as well as other laptops		**these are likely to work incompletely on Desktops as well as other laptops
	**the purpose of the Distribution would be clearly identified by the provider		**the purpose of the Distribution would be clearly identified by the provider

			--[[User:Rpeters\|Rpeters]] ([[User talk:Rpeters\|talk]]) 17:19, 15 January 2015 (AEDT)
			--[[Category:Technical Info]]

Rpeters: Created page with "== For General Users == 64-bit Linux is generally recommended for computers that support it - see below for simple tests *it has been in general use for over a decade and is now …"

2013-03-31T23:06:39Z

Created page with "== For General Users == 64-bit Linux is generally recommended for computers that support it - see below for simple tests *it has been in general use for over a decade and is now …"

New page

== For General Users ==
64-bit Linux is generally recommended for computers that support it - see below for simple tests
*it has been in general use for over a decade and is now quite mature
*it supports an overwhelming majority of hardware
*usually includes the NX feature, that is likely to provide additional protection against malware

Note that Linux Distributions may variously refer to 64-bit Linux as "x86_64" or "AMD64". The two are equivalent and the latter works on computers that are trade-marked "Intel Inside" as well as AMD-based computers.

=== Test for CPU Model ===
==== 64-bit CPU ====
A simple and reliable way to check whether a CPU supports 64-bit code is to boot a 64-bit distribution
*Parted Magic is a suitable distribution for this purpose, because a 64-bit only ISO is available and it is only ~ 200 MB.
*alternatively, any 64-bit Distribution media could be used, if already to hand.
*a 64-bit kernel will quickly present an error message along the lines of "unsupported CPU/architecture" if a 64-bit capable CPU is not detected

==== 32-bit CPU ====
If the above test indicates that 64-bit Linux is not supported then most 32-bit Linux should be suitable.
*the latter might variously be labelled "x86", "i586", "i686" or frequently no differentiator at all

Exceptions where a 32-bit Distribution is unsuitable include:
*a small minority are compiled for CPU later than "i686" (Pentium II or equivalent)
**these would begin to boot on earlier CPU, but quickly halt and display an error message
**beginners are faced with using a different Distribution (or obtaining a later computer)
*some Distributions are collated for specific hardware platforms eg eeePC netbooks
**these are likely to work incompletely on Desktops as well as other laptops
**the purpose of the Distribution would be clearly identified by the provider