Advice on CPU speeds?
- Thread starter TBirdUK
- Start date
TonyCarter
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
I don't believe a 32/64-bit CPU architecture makes much (if any) performance difference if you're running a 32-bit program, as you are limited to accessing 4GB of RAM, and running in 32-bit mode (even the program will be installed into the 32-bit 'Programs (x86)' folder)
Whilst newer CPUs will have different evolutionary tweaks that make 64-bit programs perform better - even if it's nothing to do with requiring extra addressable memory - the 32-bit program cannot take advantage of it.
All things being equal, running a 32-bit program on a 64-bit processor should be the same as if it was running on a 32-bit processor...and the limitation will still be addressable memory.
The best option would to be to upgrade to a 64-bit version of it. If that's not possible, then you'll have to find out whether the program is optimised for Intel or AMD (i.e. which instruction sets does it rely on the most, and does Intel or AMD offer the best option for that specific instruction set).
Whilst newer CPUs will have different evolutionary tweaks that make 64-bit programs perform better - even if it's nothing to do with requiring extra addressable memory - the 32-bit program cannot take advantage of it.
All things being equal, running a 32-bit program on a 64-bit processor should be the same as if it was running on a 32-bit processor...and the limitation will still be addressable memory.
The best option would to be to upgrade to a 64-bit version of it. If that's not possible, then you'll have to find out whether the program is optimised for Intel or AMD (i.e. which instruction sets does it rely on the most, and does Intel or AMD offer the best option for that specific instruction set).
TBirdUK
Member
thanks, I'm stuck with the 32 bit App (which I have been using for over 20 years) as it is widely used in institutions that have rooms full of 32 bit machines and no budget for replacement! The author has no intention of rewriting for the limited number of users not using the institutions.
I made the mistake 2 years ago of buying 2 Desktops, one for heavy duty usage (alpha/date sorting and reporting of the 350Mb database) and another for the missus who uses the same 32 bit app only for entering new data which then gets merged into the mainstream once a month.
I was guided by the processor single thread benchmarks at the time so bought a Ryzen 7 5800X as the number cruncher and then got the Missus an I7-11700 with less RAM and smaller SSDs at about half the price
Much to 'er indoors objection she now has the AMD box as the "slower" Intel runs the sort far quicker! (6 minutes vs 8 minutes) see specs below.
Got a new Intel I9 on order
I made the mistake 2 years ago of buying 2 Desktops, one for heavy duty usage (alpha/date sorting and reporting of the 350Mb database) and another for the missus who uses the same 32 bit app only for entering new data which then gets merged into the mainstream once a month.
I was guided by the processor single thread benchmarks at the time so bought a Ryzen 7 5800X as the number cruncher and then got the Missus an I7-11700 with less RAM and smaller SSDs at about half the price
Much to 'er indoors objection she now has the AMD box as the "slower" Intel runs the sort far quicker! (6 minutes vs 8 minutes) see specs below.
Got a new Intel I9 on order
