Hello,

What are the benefits of using the x86_64 version of Fedora 6 versus the i386 version. This is with a computer with:

AMD Athalon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+ 2.40 Ghz
1 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 7350 LE 128 MB
160 GB SATA Hard Drive
Lightscribe SuperMultiDrive

well.. the i386 doesn't support the 64 bit processors, so it will use only 32 bits of the adresses... the 64 bits will use the complete addresses, so everything will work much better...

Well, there are other considerations, primarily on the area of proprietary codecs.

I have a 32-bit / 64-bit dual boot on my desktop, and 32-bit on my laptop. I use the 64-bit about 90% of the time. There are occasions when I really want to see a Flash9 video, or video that requires the w32codes, but for me, those times are fairly infrequent. My kids, on the other hand use the 32-bit OS exclusively for those reasons.

64-bit OSes will soon be the norm, and since Vista is optimized for 64-bit, I think the necessary plugins will soon be available. 64-bit does have advantages, especially in the hardware driver areas, but the actual processing speed improvement is pretty much invisible to the average user.

For Java apps, you can use Konqueror, which doesn't need a java plugin, and the FOSS Flashplayer, Gnash, works fine for older Flash movies. I can't honestly say there is an advantage to using the 64-bit OS, but since it doesn't inhibit my normal usage, I prefer to use it while watching it mature.

There are still lack of 64-bit plugin for most of the flash player and many others gadget. I still prefer to use 32-bit. After the development is mature, i may reconsidered my decision.