64 Or 32

Ok, quick question that's kind of related to this topic:

I had issues with SuSE 10.0 x86-64 multimedia support. Certain packages were only available in 32-bit and wouldn't work properly on my 64-bit box. With 10.1 I went with the 32-bit edition in order to avoid unnecessary headaches.
With the release of 10.2 is multimedia support enhanced? Should I install 10.2 64 or 32 bit? I need full multimedia support to be pleased with a distro... I'm downloading both as we speak and I'm still up in the air about which to actually install...

Thanks!
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The only app in question is Firefox browser and the 10.2 x86-64 version installs the 32-bit version of Firefox by default (I do believe, did for me anyways). Stay with the 32-bit version when you update and all the multimedia apps in Firefox will work 100%.

I'm running all of packman's libxine packages in x86-64 and all my multimedia apps also work 100%.

Have fun...

I am running 10.2 and like Snakedriver - have 100% multimedia stuff working using the rpm's from packman.

In my (fairly) limited experience installing from source is no more complicated that using a 32 bit system - you just have to make sure that you point to the right library files.

First off, a 64 bit OS/program doesn't take up twice the memory but there is an increase in memory usage. Let me explain.

A program compiled under a 32 bit OS will use 32 (4 byte) integers and 32 bit pointers. The same program compiled for a 64 bit OS will use 64 bit (usually) integers and 64 bit pointers. These are the two main reasons 64 bit programs have higher memory requirements. There is also an increase in the size of some instruction operands (like arguments to instructions) in 64 bit mode.

But this does not add up to anywhere near a 100% (2x) increase in memory usage. More like 5-30% depending on the application I'd say.

There *is* an advantage to using x86-64 vs. i386 though. x86-64 programs will run faster (like a previous poster stated up to 20% faster) because of architectural improvements over x86 like:

-16 general purpose registers vs. 8 for i386
-default to use SSE2 floating point math vs. default to i387 fp on i386 (big big difference on heavy fp code)
-16 SSE2 registers vs. 0 or 8 on i386
-fast system calls vs. slower legacy system call interface on i386

Unless you have a good reason to, use x86-64 on an Athlon64 CPU. You can even run 32 bit programs on it if you have to (i.e. there is no 64 bit port of an application.)
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100% correct.

On a quick WINE note, it doesn't compile cleanly when it's set to 64-bit mode, so everyone who uses WINE is forced to use the 32-bit until the 64-bit native version gets cleaned up/fixed.

How does the nVidia driver support work in the 64bit version? I've been sticking with the 32bit for now since I was concerned that audio/video issues would arise. But after reading that the multimedia works fine and the packman repositories are supported, I'm starting to feel more inclined to give it a shot. (I have the 64bit ISO downloaded and burned to a DVD, but I've just not made it to the actual installation yet...)

If nVidia 3D support is a go in the 64bit, I may just be willing to give it a shot...

If nVidia 3D support is a go in the 64bit, I may just be willing to give it a shot...
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nVidia fully supports 64-bit architectures for linux, no problems there.

Cheers,
KV

Give it a shot than. Nvidia Drivers for 64 bit work great with the exception of some of the latest Video Cards and then their may be trouble regardless of 64/32bitness.

works for me
i got Xgl and Compiz to work with it

And just to give one more reason to use the X_64 version is all Firefox plugins can use nspluginwrapper to allow 32 bit plugins to work with the 64 bit Firefox.It works very well for me.
There is a rpm to make it real easy to install.
http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/linux-amd64.html

Jack

And just to give one more reason to use the X_64 version is all Firefox plugins can use nspluginwrapper to allow 32 bit plugins to work with the 64 bit Firefox.It works very well for me.
There is a rpm to make it real easy to install.
http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/linux-amd64.html

Jack
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How is flash in firefox?

I have to click away from the flash then i can click where i want to in the flash

How is flash in firefox?

I have to click away from the flash then i can click where i want to in the flash
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Works just like it should for me, no problems at all.

Jack