_PixelNinja
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 1,460
I have always been told there is no or very little reason to remain on a x86 operating system at this point in time. One of the main reasons other than addressing more RAM is that an x86_64 system offers better security, referring to Data Execution Program, Driver Signing and Kernel Patch Protection.
Recently however, in a quick discussion, an acquaintance of a friend said these features offer nothing new since DEP is effectively present on x86, that driver signature verification is also there and KPP has done nothing else but bother security solution developers. Thus if one does not need or have more than 3Gb of memory there is no reason to move to an x86_64 OS unless you are in an business environment.
Please keep in mind that my understanding of the innards of Windows is very basic/limited, but would anyone have the kindness to explain to me as if you were talking to a 6 year old if this is in fact correct and if yes other than for memory what are the actual advantages of x86_64 over x86? I'd very much like to understand this so that in turn, I would be able to explain to someone else who is a Windows-Guts-Illiterate whether yes or no they should move to x64.
Recently however, in a quick discussion, an acquaintance of a friend said these features offer nothing new since DEP is effectively present on x86, that driver signature verification is also there and KPP has done nothing else but bother security solution developers. Thus if one does not need or have more than 3Gb of memory there is no reason to move to an x86_64 OS unless you are in an business environment.
Please keep in mind that my understanding of the innards of Windows is very basic/limited, but would anyone have the kindness to explain to me as if you were talking to a 6 year old if this is in fact correct and if yes other than for memory what are the actual advantages of x86_64 over x86? I'd very much like to understand this so that in turn, I would be able to explain to someone else who is a Windows-Guts-Illiterate whether yes or no they should move to x64.