[CentOS] Is 4GB memory the 64bit switch tipping point?

Mon Dec 8 11:34:37 UTC 2008
Sorin Srbu <sorin.srbu at orgfarm.uu.se>

>-----Original Message-----
>From: centos-bounces at centos.org [mailto:centos-bounces at centos.org] On Behalf Of
>Kenneth Burgener
>Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 7:06 AM
>To: CentOS mailing list
>Subject: [CentOS] Is 4GB memory the 64bit switch tipping point?
>
>I am curious what should be the benchmark for making the choice of
>switching from 32bit to 64bit Linux?  I have a few assumptions below.
>Is my logic sound?  (This is a follow up to the "Adding RAM" thread)
>
>1.  4GB Memory.
>
>3.  Compatibility.

I've been mainly bitten by paragraphs 1 and 3 with respect to the server-side 
installations.

I opted to run the x86 PAE-kernel instead of going with the 64b-OS, on my Dell 
PE (which has 4GB RAM). This coincidentally also solved issue #3, the 
compatibility concerns (as in software). Most everything will run fine on 32b, 
be it server or desktop.

If you want to run really modern hardware you might have issues with either x86 
or x64 OS:es. My Dell PE is a refurbished machine with a couple of years under 
the belt, so hardware incompatibilities shouldn't be a concern with eg CentOS 
5.2. Software dittos is another matter though, especially if I'd opted with a 
x64 OS.

This goes for both CentOS/linux and in my case Windows as well. I admin both 
camps. Your own personal mileage may vary though, as you may run different 
hardware and software than I do, so generalizing may be a bit difficult IMHO and 
filled with gotchas' as it were.

HTH.
-- 
/Sorin
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