Any operating system has a certain capacity. However, not all of them are installed on any type of computer. Everything here is a bit confusing for an unprepared user. Therefore, it is worth understanding this issue. How to know the capacity of the system? We will talk about this later in the article. In the meantime - a little "educational program".
What is bit depth?
In those days when mammoths still walked the Earth, an OS such as MS-DOS appeared. Its capacity was only 16 bits. But the processors at that time were only 16-bit. So such a system is perfectly suited to existing realities. But over time, processors with support for 32-bit architecture appeared. It is also referred to as x86. Naturally, MS-DOS is hopelessly outdated. And the favorite Windows of all came on the scene.
With the development of technology, 64-bit processors also appeared. The brainchild of Bill Gates had to urgently evolve. Support for x64 architecture was implemented in the legendary Windows XP. Since then, each version of Windows has traditionally supported a new architecture. And this is good, since 64-bit processors have several advantages over outdated 32-bit ones. The capacity of the XP system (32 bits) could not reveal the full potential of the new processors.
Difference between 32 and 64
The whole difference is that processors with 64-bit architecture work much faster than their outdated colleagues. And operating systems optimized for this capacity simply show performance wonders. Naturally, only if programs optimized for 64 bits are used. But this is not even the point, but the fact that in our time many utilities and software products completely refuse to work with 32-bit systems. Here, even the emulation mode will not help.
At the same time, the most popular processors (and operating systems) to this day are 32-bit solutions. However, in five years, 64-bit architecture will completely supplant these "oldies." And then catharsis will come. Yes, and 32-bit processors supported only 3.5 gigabytes of RAM. While 64-bit systems can support from 4 to 256 gigabytes of RAM (and this is not the limit). However, let's see how to find the bit depth of a Windows family system.
Using Windows Features
How to determine the capacity of the system using standard Windows tools? Very simple. Just click on the "My Computer" icon with the right mouse button and select the "Properties" menu item. There will be a lot of information in the window that appears. The line we need is somewhere under the name of the operating system and is called "System Type". So you can both find out the capacity of the XP system (or another version), and get a lot of useful information about the computer.
There is another way:
- We go to the "Start" menu, select the "Run" command and write systeminfo in the address bar.
- After that we press "Enter".
- A window will appear in which comprehensive information about the operating system of the computer will be presented.
This method is best suited for those who want to try working with the Windows command line. In addition, this method provides more detailed information about the operating system. You can find out a lot of interesting things.
Using special programs
There is another answer to the question of how to find out the capacity of a system. This will help information programs such as Everest or AIDA. They are able to give out information about everything that is in the computer: processor, RAM, motherboard bridges, the motherboard itself, hard drives, operating systems and much more. But there is one "but." These programs are not free. But even trial versions can tell a lot. And if piracy is encouraged, then you don’t have to bother about it at all.
Everest and AIDA 64 are far from the only programs that can provide information about the installed operating system. Many applications that are designed to clean and optimize the OS? also know how. Although you should not rely on them especially. They can sometimes be mistaken. Nevertheless, they show the bit depth of the operating system quite accurately. It is only necessary to take into account that not all of them are free. And for the full version you have to pay a lot of money.
Why you should install a 64-bit system
If you have a processor that supports the x64 architecture, and you are still sitting on a 32-bit system, then it makes sense to replace it urgently. Because then the system will work much faster, even if you have only 2 gigabytes of RAM.
How to find out what system capacity? This can be done in the same AIDA 64 program. And if you see that you have a 64-bit processor and a 32-bit system, immediately put everything in order. In addition, the presence of a 64-bit operating system will play a positive role in the further "upgrade" of the computer.
In addition to the purely technical side of the problem, there is one more. The fact is that the future is with 64-bit architecture. Therefore, the transition to these systems will be carried out en masse in the near future. So why not go now? Moreover, you do not need to pay for it. Just download the image you want, burn it to disk, and install the operating system.
Conclusion
Now you know everything about how to know the capacity of the system. The difference between 64-bit and 32-bit architecture is significant. Modern processors work best with 64-bit operating systems. Therefore, it is urgent to switch to them. However, it is worth considering that 32-bit operating systems feel great on 64-bit processors. But 64-bit ones will not even install on 32-bit processors. So be careful and careful. Although it will not work much harm here, it’s not worth relaxing.