In fact, a 64-bit app can sometimes run slower than a 32-bit app, because using all those 64-bit memory pointers can make the app larger, sucking up more cache RAM. Most of the apps we use on our phones, and tablets really don’t have much need for 64-bit integer operations, or more than 4GB of memory per program. A 64-bit processor points to memory locations using 64 bits, allowing individual programs to address 16 exabytes, a practically unlimited amount of memory.įor most apps, a 64-bit processor doesn’t offer much benefit. That means that a single program can address only 4GB with a 32-bit chip, even if the processor itself can address more. Apple introduced the first 64-bit, ARMv8 phone processor last year with the A7.Ī 32-bit processor also uses 32 bits to point to locations in memory, while a 64-bit processor uses 64 bits. If it can handle a 32-bit integer operation, it’s 32-bit, and you guessed it a 64-bit processor can handle 64-bit integers. ![]() ![]() If a processor can handle integer operations up to 16 bits long, it’s a 16-bit processor. You have your integers, whole numbers like 90210, or floating-point numbers, those with decimals like 3.14159265359). Processors use two kinds of numbers to perform operations like addition, multiplication, moving or copying data in memory. This isn’t really true, as a chip’s “bit count” doesn’t really have anything to do with how much memory it can address. ![]() The longer answer is that the move to a newer ARM architecture includes some nice enhancements, but being 64-bit isn’t, by itself, all that important.Before you pull out your wallet to snag the first 64-bit Android phone like the HTC Desire 510, or begin salivating over any of the other 64-bit phones come in the fall of 2014, let’s discuss what the term 64-bit really means, why you should, or shouldn’t, care about it.Īsk around, you’ll hear numerous definitions of the term “64-bit processor.” Most often, you’ll hear that it means the processor can use more than 4GB of RAM. ![]() Should you run out to get one? Is 64-bit silicon twice as good as that crummy 32-bit technology we’ve been using for years? The short answer is no. Over the coming months, we’ll see a lot of new phones trumpeting 64-bit processors.
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