Switching to a 64 bit kernel

[Eur Ing Chris Green]

On Mon, Mar 19, 2007 at 08:10:06AM +0100, Mogens Kjaer wrote:
> aragonx at dcsnow.com wrote:
> >Hello all,
> >
> >I am currently running an i686 kernel and just upgraded my machine to a
> >shiny new dual core 64 bit CPU.  My question is, how do I get a 64 bit
> >kernel installed?
> 
> You'll need to reinstall with an x86_64 fedora.
> 
... and while there are *some* advantages to running a 64-bit system
there are also downsides still.

Advantages (that I can remember):-
    You can use huge amounts of memory efficiently (i.e. if you have
    more than 4Gb or memory)

    Some other things may run more efficiently


Disadvantages
    There may not be all the drivers you need available in 64-bit
    (maybe less of an issue nowadays).

    There are likely to be more little niggles in the installation
    process to overcome as 64-bit simply hasn't been around so long.


If you *need* to use lots of memory then go for 64-bit, otherwise I'd
stay with 32-bit.

-- 
Chris Green