Is my Mac 64 bit?

Its not. However, that doesn't mean you can't run Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard is far more optimised for 64 bit than Leopard is now but that's not meant in that its optimised for 64 bit instead of 32 bit. Snow Leopard will apparently make better used of 64bitness than Leopard does, it won't be any worse for 32 bit.

The thing from Snow Leopard that should provide the most gain to all users is its supposed multi-processor optimisations, which you *will* be able to use.

Core Duo = 32 bit
Core 2 Duo = 64 bit

um yea, it definately is. look up T7200.

EDIT: oops, i see its a core duo. if its a core 2 duo, then its a T7200. if its a core duo, its a T2500, which is not.

iMonkeez said:

thanks for the help guys

Since my questions been answered, ccan someone close this thread?

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We just let it die and fall to the end of the forum. No biggie.

Nooo....

It must not die!

I have a 1.5ghz G4 12" powerbook. Is it 64 bit? Will IT run Snow Leopard? Should I be worried about it being obsolete? How come my battery doesn't run as long as it used to? Why isn't it as fast as a macbook, I mean, it's a POWERbook, shouldn't that be better?

G4 = 32 bit
G5 = 64 bit

iDAG said:

G4 = 32 bit
G5 = 64 bit

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I was kidding, but thank you.

Sad that CoreDuos aren't 64 bit, but for all intents and purposes, it REALLY doesn't matter.

26139 said:

I was kidding, but thank you.

Sad that CoreDuos aren't 64 bit, but for all intents and purposes, it REALLY doesn't matter.

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I had a feeling you were kidding, but who knows, someone in the future who needs to know this and actually searches the forums will find that helpful.

I have a MacBook Pro (Santa Rosa), is that 64Bit compatible? I mean when Snow Leopard is running it states that the apps are 64Bit but it's not enabled in the system profile.

Yes, the Santa Rosa chipset is 64-bit. Don't know what SL is doing, but the computer is certainly 64-bit.

iDAG said:

G4 = 32 bit
G5 = 64 bit

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NO powerPC can run snow leopard 64-bit or otherwise.

appleguy123 said:

NO powerPC can run snow leopard 64-bit or otherwise.

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That doesn't change the fact the G5 is natively a 64-bit computer.

So my Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 ghz imac can run 64 bit? Sweet.

Sambo110 said:

So my Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 ghz imac can run 64 bit?

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Only if its a 2008 model or newer. If its the version 7,1 or older, you're stuck with 32-bit.

300D said:

Only if its a 2008 model or newer. If its the version 7,1 or older, you're stuck with 32-bit.

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It was bought last year brand new from JB last year, so it would be a 2008 model, it has an Ati Radeon 2400HD.

All Core 2 Duo are 64 bit

The title says it.

ken22 said:

The title says HALF OF it.

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Corrected. Just because the CPU is 64 bit doesn't mean the computer is capable of 64 bit operation.

300D said:

Corrected. Just because the CPU is 64 bit doesn't mean the computer is capable of 64 bit operation.

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All Apple computers with a Core 2 Duo processor are capable of 64 bit operation. If you think otherwise you should explain yourself.

gnasher729 said:

If you think otherwise you should explain yourself.

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I'm waiting for your explanation.


I don't see any mac mini or macbook on that list, they have a 64bit cpu. The imac 7,1 has a 64 bit cpu too, as do the Mac Pro 1,1 and 2,1, but they can't boot to 64-bit mode.

300D said:

I'm waiting for your explanation.

I don't see any mac mini or macbook on that list, they have a 64bit cpu. The imac 7,1 has a 64 bit cpu too, as do the Mac Pro 1,1 and 2,1, but they can't boot to 64-bit mode.

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That list is for 64-bit kernel - not 64-bit processing. It has nothing to do with being able to run 64-bit processes. All Core 2 Duo CPUs can run 64-bit processes. As discussed in many other threads, a 64-bit kernel doesn't buy much in performance. Booting into 64-bit mode without a good reason can create more problems than it solves.

gr8tfly said:

That list is for 64-bit kernel - not 64-bit processing.

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Running in half 32-bit is not 64-bit.

Thats like having a race car with a non-turbo pinto engine.

300D said:

Running in half 32-bit is not 64-bit.

Thats like having a race car with a non-turbo pinto engine.

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It's not running in "half & half" mode. The kernel runs in 32-bit mode. It interfaces with 64-bit processes. They utilize the 64-bit capabilities of the C2D CPUs, including address space.

The kernel by design utilizes as little CPU resource as possible. It doesn't benefit much from the math benefits of 64-bit mode, so its real need is larger address space support - within the kernel and/or its kexts.

There have been several threads and articles (MacWorld had one a couple of days ago) trying to dispel some of the myths and rumors about running a 32 vs 64-bit kernel. I'm nodding off at the moment, otherwise, I'd go find them. If the question remains later on, I'll try and post them (or links).

Wow, people really need to read... this has been hashed over MANY times across all the forums...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/771791/

In short, you won't see nor notice ANY difference between running the 32 bit vs 64 bit kernel, all the apps you run will be 64 bit. Yes, you have a 64 bit machine and you'll be doing everything (except the actual kernel which is 1% of the OS) will be 64 bit.

Sit 2 identical Macs side by side, 1 running 32 bit kernel, 1 running 64 bit. I guarantee you won't know the difference unless you bing up system info and look for it.