thveillon.debian wrote: > Johannes Wiedersich wrote: >> Frank Lin PIAT wrote: >>> But unless you have a specific need to use stick to 32bit kernel >>> (driver, old application [in]compatibility), it is wise to move to >>> 64bits. >> Why? >> >> I know that 64bit is the future. I have the feeling, however, that many >> applications are still better supported on 32bit than on 64bit. This >> applies especially for multimedia, web pages and viewing certain >> restricted pdfs, but I have often regretted the decision to move one of >> my workstations to 64bit, just because it adds more hassle than it gains >> in performance. >> >> Of course this is just my humble opinion. It may work for others. >> >> So, again: What is the advantage of running 64bit that warrants the >> extra hassle? >> >> Cheers, >> Johannes >> >> > > Hi, > > I have all the systems I use/admin in 64bits (amd64), it's mainly Debian > and Ubuntu, I don't feel any "hassle" anymore. It used to be a problem > for a few web pluggins and a few semi-deprecated programs, but not > anymore. Most systems are multimedia workstations, everything works very > well, including flash (native 64bits), Java (native 64bits), all > possible codecs (w64codecs and more), Mplayer, Xine, Blender...
I'm glad it works for you. I maintain that there are some sites and some plugins that won't work correctly on amd64, while they work fine on x86. Last time I tried virtualbox, would not start that proprietary OS on amd64, either. > Regarding performances, it's sometimes just the same, often much faster, > never slower, so no reason to look back to i386 for me. There's many > comparison floating around, especially on www.phoronix.com, you can have > a look at this Ubuntu vs Fedora roundup > http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ubuntu_810_vs_fedora_10&num=4 Are you sure, that the x86 tests were carried out with the amd64-kernel for x86? I am sure that 686-kernels will be outperformed by amd64-kernels. My golden compromise between performance and usability is a amd64 kernel with 32-bit userland. If it's really the amd64-kernel on x86 that's outperformed, I'd start to reconsider... > I imagine the performance gain should be even more sensible with some > databases or intensive scientific number-crushing apps. After the recent change of German copyright (Urheberrecht), libraries started to send copy-protected pdf's that require a closed source DRM-plugin, which is only available for i386. So, what you gain in speed by improved number-crunching, might be lost by not being able to study the scientific literature :-( [Of course, I would prefer to read the literature without the need of non-free software! ] Cheers, Johannes -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org
