64-bit vs 32bit

[jerryf196]

I have a 64bit amd but I am confused if i should install a 32-bit or 64-bit sabayon version 3.4. Right now I do have a 64-bit sabayon 3.4a version installed. Runs good but i tried installing some software and i had prolbems for example

Kdevelop it stopped half way
Firefox-bin
thunderbird


Is it better if i install 32-bit?

[edgevision]

The 32bit vs. 64bit discussion is a very broad one ranging across nearly every OS. Basically, 64bit machines experience a marginal/slight performance increase in tasks that are heavily based on processing, such as video encoding. Note that video games do not fall under this category as their performance is more based around available video memory/access times.

32bit, on the other hand, offers more compatibility with apps. But in Sabayon, a 32bit emulation layer is used in the x86-64 distribution to offer the same compatibility (perhaps not by default, but it is there. Someone should correct me on this.)

I personally use 64bit edition on my tower and it works great, have yet to experience a compatibility issue.

[wolfden]

I run both and have no difference when it comes to installing packages, they both install and one doesn't experience more problems than the other.

[monday90]

I have been using 64bit distros since 2004. Compatibility issues have all but vanished. I would now recommend using a 64 bit distro on a 64bit system.

[Fitzcarraldo]

^Agreed.

The only limitation I have come across so far with SL x86-64 is that Sun has not released a 64-bit Java plug-in for the 64-bit version of Firefox, only for the 32-bit version of Firefox. So I have installed the Sun 64-bit JRE and use Konqueror if I want to browse a Web site that uses Java. Other than that, use of 64-bit SL and 64-bit applications are completely problem-free.