only goes up to 32 bit

[elieena]

I got a 64 bit computer so i brought windows vista 64 bit operating system but when i want to change colors on display settings it only goes up to 32 bits what's wrong?

[PapaBear]

There are several locations in a computer that use the term bits. A 64bit processor can utilize a 32bit OS, in fact the Intel P4 when introduced in 2000 was a 32bit processor, and was upgraded to a 64bit processor in 2004. It continued to run 32bit XP just fine. A 64bit processor has the ability to run an instruction that is 64bits in length. If the instruction is 32bits, it can still run that instruction as well.

The 64bit OS has instructions that go up to 64bits in length, but not all instructions have to be. A 32bit OS has instructions that go up to 32bits in length, but again not all instructions are that long. It will necessarily be a little slower than the 64bit because of the extra instructions needed to acccomplish the same task.

When dealing with color, you are in a similar vein but now it is color definition as the the number of colors and depth of the color. The number of colors and depth is processed in the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) which most often is on a separate card but may be integrated onto the motherboard.

In short, while you can run a 32bit OS on the 64bit processor, and the best color available is 32bit. You cannot, however, run a 64bit OS on an older 32bit processor. The 64bit OS will give you more speed and power fully utilizing the full benefit of the processor.

[elieena]

Thanks i think i get it now=D