Can 64 bit CPUs can run 32 bit apps

[santosh2natal]

I'm very much eager to know whether the newly arrived 64 bit CPUs can run all the 32 bit apps including VB, PowerBuilder, FoxPro, C++, Winamp, ACDSee, Adobe applications, etc. Which processor is more reliable in this case? Which is better AMD 64 or Intel Xeon, Itanium?

Please help me know.

Thanx a lot.

Santosh

 

[cdogg]

The Athlon64 can. Intel's current version of the Itanium cannot. They are adding 32-bit extensions (following AMD's example) to future versions of the Itanium.


~cdogg
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[stormbind]

I believe the Athlon64 x86 has native support for 32-bit apps, making it a 32/64 hybrid.

Recall the 3x86~5x86 era where all new x86 processors were 16/32 hybrids. I think it's a very similar scenario (i.e. history repeats itself).

I believe the Itanium is not x86 compliant, and is entirely 64-bit.

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