CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (3.5 - CPU Features)

Operating system technologies

• 32-bit vs. 64-bit - Processor specific

• 32-bit processors = 232 = 4,294,967,296 values

• 64-bit processors = 264 = 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 values

- 4 GB vs. 17 billion GB

- The OS has a maximum supported value

Operating system technologies 2

• Hardware drivers are specific to the OS version (32-bit / 64-bit)

- 32-bit (x86), 64-bit (x64)

• 32-bit OS cannot run 64-bit apps

- But 64-bit OS can run 32-bit apps

• Apps in a 64-bit Windows OS

- 32-bit apps: \Program Files (x86)

- 64-bit apps: \Program Files

Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)

• CPU architecture developed by Arm Ltd.

- They design the chip, others license and build

• Simplified instruction set

- Efficient and fast processing

- Less power

- Less heat

• Traditionally used for mobile and IoT devices

- Adoption by Apple and other manufacturers for desktops and laptops

- The lines are constantly blurring

Processor cores

• Dual-core / Quad-core / Octa-core / Multi-core

• Multiple cores

- Each core has its own cache

- The entire chip may have a shared cache