32 vs 64 bit on low spec device

[Brickwizard]

If you're talking about a 10+ year old, 64 bit i3, with 4-8Gb RAM - that will happily run any modern distro.

My lappy is 17 yrs old, Intel duo twin core with 4 gb and i can run any distribution on it

 

[Deleted member 140690]

Depends on the age and spec of the 64 bit PC.

If you're talking about a 10+ year old, 64 bit i3, with 4-8Gb RAM - that will happily run any modern distro. I know that for a fact because my current laptop IS an early, first gen i3 and that will still happily run any 64 bit Linux distro.

But if you're talking about a 15-20 year old 64-bit Celeron with 1Gb RAM - you're probably going to want to run a 32 bit Linux on it.

Some of the early 64 bit PC's - especially lower-spec ones, don't perform well with 64 bit operating systems and perform better with 32 bit OSes - especially those with 2Gb or less of RAM.

64-bit programs require more memory to run than their 32-bit versions. So on older 64 bit machines, with less RAM onboard - it makes more sense to run a 32 bit OS.

That situation can easily be mitigated by installing more RAM. But if you don't have that luxury - then sticking with a 32 bit OS is your best recourse.

It's worth bearing in mind that a lot of low end PC's are built with a minimal spec that will just barely run whatever version of Windows was available at the time it was made. Many OEM's shipped some of the early, low-spec 64-bit PC's with 32-bit Windows installs because their spec was too low to smoothly run the corresponding 64-bit version. And 64-bit Linux doesn't perform much better on these older machines either.

That is exactly my own experience with 32 vs 64 it OS on low spec devices.
I tired to salvage an old dell with as far as I remember a 2g plus celereon,
that was a painful experience, the ram was only 1GB, that ps had no intel IME,
which was why I wanted it, I hate spys, that lead me to Raspberry Pi 48GB models,i
which I find very usable with a 24 inch monitor, but they were not so portale in that
a monitor for one is costly, as is a power pack to drive the Pi, so I bought a much
cheaper low end laptop, that am very surprised works, even with a 64 bit OS,
If and when this / MX Linux lets me down, I will give 32 bit a run, until them am happy
with this inexpensive travel companion / emergency device.

 

[Deleted member 140690]

My lappy is 17 yrs old, Intel duo twin core with 4 gb and i can run any distribution on it

Yes, I tried a 2000 Dell with the fastest Celeron they had back then, the memory
was my problem, only One GB spread out over the two slots, I allowed it was
cheaper to set up a Raspberry Pi, I think I will look out for some memory modules
for it, any links to such modules would be appreciated, I have a friend in computers
and must ask him if they are still made, that case has so much room I could install
a couple of Pi ' s in there too and save desk space, Ive got external WiFi modules
if I need them.

 

[Brickwizard]

any links to such modules would be appreciated,

I will need to know what to look for and what country you are in, for now I will assume it's DDR2 533 PC-4200 SODIMM
and if you are across the pond [in the states] https://www.ebay.com/itm/113180881163 I cannot confirm the ram unless you can take a look inside and give me the code of one of the sticks, the important bit is the PC-- number

If its pc2 ram then the max will be 2gb [2x1gb] but it will still run 32 bit, Emmabuntüs, Puppy,Zorin lite, Peppermint or lxle

​

 

[Deleted member 140690]

I will need to know what to look for and what country you are in, for now I will assume it's DDR2 533 PC-4200 SODIMM
and if you are across the pond [in the states] https://www.ebay.com/itm/113180881163 I cannot confirm the ram unless you can take a look inside and give me the code of one of the sticks, the important bit is the PC-- number

​

I will take out a module and look, I lost the password so will need to do an install of some sort later.

 

[Deleted member 140690]

Updated my location, don't see it reflected yet, Ireland

 

[Brickwizard]

If its pc2 ram then the max will be 2gb [2x1gb] but it will still run 32 bit, Emmabuntüs, Puppy,Zorin lite, Peppermint or lxle

 

[Deleted member 140690]

If its pc2 ram then the max will be 2gb [2x1gb] but it will still run 32 bit, Emmabuntüs, Puppy,Zorin lite, Peppermint or lxle

Dear God Jim, its worse than we imagined, only Two 256 PC2700 CL 2.5 modules, about 5 inches long.

 

[Brickwizard]

That looks like desktop ram,

Crucial CT12864Z335 PC2700U-25331 1GB PC2700 DDR RAM Memory 333MHz CL2.5 NEW. 649528719973 | eBay

Condition is "New".

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Brickwizard]

There is life after XP here is a screenshot from my 21 yr old celeron 1500 laptop with 2gb running MX21-32bit, not the fastest machine but still working

 

[Deleted member 140690]

Am re downloading MX Linux, maybe a fresh install will put things right.
I installed Sparkylinux, WiFi would not work, copied config files from my
Lubuntu build and edited them to reflect what Sparkylinux generated, filled
in the missing information, there was no password in to be seen in the config
file for my WiFi connection to my phone, even though I added it when asked
for, I had the computer on Ethernet for the install, with a local ISO on a usb stick.
Did that install Two times, same result, no internet, yet Manjaro and Linux Lite
found the WiFi and connected to it, I have Mint downloaded, tried it, but there
was no single or double click working in the live trial, had to use the left and
right sides of the touchpad to open menus, did not install it as if that is how it
works its not for me, I like to tap or double tap to select and open items.

I hope this new download fixes things, am still puzzled at how its only on
battery the pointer froze, it would go up and down sometimes, but never
left to right, refused tap or double taps, keyboard still worked though as
did plugging in a USB mouse.