Ubuntu

changing from 64bit to 32bit

Asked by NikTheGeek

I just installed Ubuntu 7.04 (later upgraded to 7.10) on my Athlon 64 3.8GHz with 3GB ram, however it runs more slowly than the 32bit version I have on my Vaio laptop (centrino with 1GB ram). A linux geek I know suggested I would see improved performance from using the 32bit version as the 64bit version has some performance hits because most of the apps are still 32bit. So 2 questions:

1. Is it true that the 32bit version *may* be quicker? Or at least no slower?
2. How do I change from 64bit to 32bit?

tnx in advance

Nick

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Cesare Tirabassi
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Best Cesare Tirabassi (norsetto) said : 		#1

1. Is it true that the 32bit version *may* be quicker? Or at least no slower?

Running 32 bits applications on 64 bits hardware/OS might indeed be "slower", depending of course from the application.

> because most of the apps are still 32bit

Sorry, but you have misunderstood, for Linux only some proprietary binary applications are.
If they are important to you, then you should go for a 32 bits OS.

2. How do I change from 64bit to 32bit?

You have to reinstall your OS from scratch.

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NikTheGeek (nikthegeek) said : 		#2

Thanks Cesare Tirabassi, that solved my question.

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NikTheGeek (nikthegeek) said : 		#3

Bit the bullet and did it. I "downgraded" to the 32bit version and it is quicker. I should explain I suppose that what I was seeing was sluggishness. So Thunderbird for example would start to load, then appear to freeze solid for 3 or 4 seconds and then fire in to life again. Likewise, if I clicked on the menu bar, selected Applications, as it dropped down it would occasionally freeze. It doesn't now with the 32 bit version, its fine and I'm getting the performance I was expecting.

There are too many variables. It could have just been a driver/hardware incompatibility somewhere. But I'm happy now on the 32bit version...

Nick