64BitSysteme

64BitSysteme refers to computer systems that implement 64-bit architectures, where most general-purpose registers, data paths, and the virtual address space are 64 bits wide. These systems are designed to handle larger memory spaces and to improve performance for workloads that benefit from wider pointers and larger integers. The term is often used in German-language contexts to describe the broader class of 64-bit computing rather than a single product or company.

Historically, 64-bit computing gained mainstream traction in the mid-2000s with the x86-64 extension developed by AMD and adopted by Intel, which allowed conventional personal computers to run 64-bit operating systems and applications while preserving compatibility with 32-bit software. Other prominent 64-bit families include ARM64 (also known as ARMv8-A), IBM POWER, SPARC, and MIPS64. The transition typically involved both hardware changes and software adaptations, including operating-system support, application binary interfaces, and compiler toolchains.

Key characteristics of 64BitSysteme include a 64-bit address space, enabling theoretical addresses up to 2^64 bytes (approximately 18.4 exabytes in theory), and 64-bit pointers within memory-managed environments. This enables larger virtual and physical memory quickly, more efficient handling of large data structures, and improvements in security features such as enhanced address space layout randomization. However, 64-bit software often requires more memory for common data structures due to larger pointer sizes, and some legacy 32-bit applications or libraries may require compatibility layers or emulation.

Applications of 64BitSysteme span desktop and mobile operating systems, servers, and embedded systems, with mainstream usage now widespread across modern computing platforms. See also 64-bit computing, x86-64, ARMv8-A.