Memory usage : amd64 vs x86

[btlee]

I have three gentoo boxes, one is amd64, another x86, and the other ppc.
Since I have used amd64 two years ago,
I always suspected that amd64 consumes more memory than x86.
But until yesterday, amd64 box has 2 giga byte, while x86 has 1 giga byte,
so it is difficult to compare both machines.
Finally, I upgrade the memory of x86 from 1 G to 2 G,
and now I am sure that amd64 consumes more memory than x86.
For example, after launching gnome with same applications,
x86 consumes about 100M, but amd64 consumes about 150M.
And almost applications consume more memory on amd64.
First, i like to know other people's experience.
Second, if you share the same experience, why do you use amd86?
For my perception, amd86 is faster than x86,
but the advantage is confined mainly to compilation or packaging.
How do you think about it?
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[sirdilznik]

Yes, 64-bit uses more memory than 32-bit. I do a lot of encoding, and encoding is stooooooooopid times faster on amd64 than it is on x86. When I told my friend at work how long it takes me to encode files he wanted to punch me in the face because it takes him so much longer (he's running x86). Now if I just get a dual-core Athlon64 or Opteron (I might when prices come down a bit as my motherboard supports dual-core), I will be the encode master, muahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrApples]

my amd64 boxen use a bit more memory generally, but its not terribly substantial

as for why i use it, many things seem to be more responsive, and nothing seems slower, plus i like to do the testing
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[axelmasok]

Yes it should consume more RAM but I am not finding it a problem even with 1G. I am not convinced of the advantages but on the other hand I think there is no excuse at all that anything in source form doesn't compile and run in 64bit. Down the track it will all be time well spent. I can't be bothered changing back to x86 anyhow. What I did find disturbing was pulling one of my Opterons out over summer to save some power and heat here - noticable differnce. Real bad move. SMP is still the way to go.

[gilesjuk]

I would imagine certain data types will be larger, plus you have the emulation libraries around if you use any 32-bit stuff.
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[wantilles]

Okay, let's assume for a minute, that you're right, and amd64 does consume more RAM.

So what?

[Mathiasdm]

[Lord__Astaroth]

Of course it matter, when you have kde with some karambas , amarok kino and some program in java like messenger of gods and a emerge -e system... you'll will get a precious error like :error not alocate memory.
(i'm not stupid to use kde with some karambas and the messenger of gods:-P)
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[xanas3712]

I do use kde with karambas, and.. never even got close with multiple programs open to using up all memory. Now, the system pretends to use all the memory all the time (shows very low in top) but I check with free -m and most of that is just cache.

Haven't run out of the 2G mem I have yet.

And I keep a decent swap along with it which has yet to get use.

[Mathiasdm]

[EzInKy]

This really is a silly thread. It only makes sense that a CPU using 64bit (8 byte) memory addresses and data types is going to use more memory than one using 32bit (4 byte) addresses and data types. I haven't really read up on the amd64 despite using two of them that much but...