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Steam app is now 64-bit only on systems that support it, 32-bit support enters final countdown — 32-bit users will stop receiving updates in 2026 (www.tomshardware.com)
submitted 10 months ago by to c/pcgaming@lemmy.ca
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[–] 15 points 10 months ago (7 children)

Benefit of 64-bit only? They don't have to develop and test everything for two architectures, and if there are CPU extensions only available on 64-bit processors, they can start using them now.

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  • [–] -4 points 10 months ago (6 children)

    They don't need to test two architectures, if there is only 32-bit. So that's not a real point. And CPU extensions for a basically shop? Alright the Steam app is not just a store, that's true, but it's not like a game or low level library itself. So I am not sure if additional 64-bit only CPU extensions is a great reason.

    I'm not convinced at the moment that this is a huge win. The biggest reason is being dependent on the older libraries, which in some environments is just nasty. I am also not against 64-bit only. It is just surprising how much demanding some users are and how hugely celebrated this is, if it actually doesn't matter much in real world. As said, besides the library thing.

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  • [–] 4 points 10 months ago (5 children)

    With windows 11 not supporting 32 bit the librarys will slowly start become stale and more work would need to be done to upgrade or patch issues that arise. In theory any program should be forward compatible but steam is still active and needs to be a moving target. but what would be the point supporting an architecture that the os isn't even supporting.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago (4 children)

    That is not what i was asking. I'm not negative here (if it sounds like). Besides supporting legacy old 32 bit libraries, are there reasons why someone want to go 64-bit only?

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago (2 children)
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  • [–] 0 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    But what part does apply to the Steam app itself? I am aware of benefits of 64-bit. If you guys don't know or don't want to answer, then why even bother with replies like these? What is the 64-bit executable worth for the Steam app specifically? Besides getting rid of old libraries. Does the steam app has any benefits from 64-bit?

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  • [–] 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

    You did not ask about steam specifically, I'll Google that for you as well. Why is Steam moving to full 64-bit and dropping 32-bit OS support?

    Future versions of Steam will only support 64-bit OS’ moving forward. Why? The simple answer is that planned platform upgrades and core features of Steam rely on drivers and other libraries that only support 64-bit OS’. Future versions of Steam will only support 64-bit OS’. That means that users of 32-bit OS’ should upgrade their systems. Valve recommends that users do this “sooner rather than later”.

    You can join the discussion on Steam’s 64-bit upgrade on the OC3D Forums. https://overclock3d.net/news/software/steam-has-finally-upgraded-to-64-bit/

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