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I'm trying to install 32/64 bit ubuntu on my 6GB memory equipped PC. I'm going to use the ubuntu PC mainly for development purposes - Xilinx FPGA development, gcc both for 8086 and ARM software development including Linux kernel compile.

Is it OK to use 64bit ubuntu for these purposes? When I tried to download ubuntu 32bit version is recommended, so I wonder if anything is wrong with 64 bit ubuntu for whatever reason.

prosseek
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  • The reason that 32-bit Ubuntu is "recommended" is because it is less likely to cause problems. I believe the fear is that if the 64-bit were recommended then a user with a 32-bit only PC might attempt to install it and fail. What sort of development are you asking about? – irrational John Apr 18 '12 at 04:16
  • possibe duplicate of http://askubuntu.com/questions/1441/why-does-ubuntu-download-recommend-32-bit-install – amc Apr 18 '12 at 05:07

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With FPGA development you're building a cross-compilation toolchain regardless(the Xilinx software), so it makes no difference. 64-bit is fine. There is a case to be made for developing for i386 on i386 and not needing to cross-compile. In this case, it's a moot point.

RobotHumans
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There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 64-bit version of Ubuntu. I've been using it for years. The 64-bit version of Ubuntu can run 32-bit as well as 64-bit programs.

The reason the 32-bit version is recommended is because older computers might have a CPU that doesn't support 64-bit. If you have a computer with a 64-bit CPU you can use the 64-bit version without any problems.

Jesper
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