64-bit applications on 32-bit kernel

The performance of 64-bit applications running on the 64-bit kernel on POWER4 systems should be greater than, or equal to, the same application running on the same hardware with the 32-bit kernel.

The 64-bit kernel allows 64-bit applications to be supported without requiring system call parameters to be remapped or reshaped. The 64-bit kernel applications use a more advanced compiler that is optimized specifically for the POWER4 system.