64 bit versus 32 bit

[JimAuburn]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of installing the 64 bit versions of Windows rather than the 32 bit? I know the memory advantage: you can access over 4 GB with 64 bit. But otherwise? Is 64 bit more taxing and slower?

[Not4wood]

Wow, interesting timing. I've just upgraded to a Dual Core, 64bit Vista Premium computer and I'm trying to install my programs that I've come to use most often. So far everything I've had from my Printer Disk to my old Version of Photoshop Elements 5 have had Vista Installation disks included. There for the more normal 32 bit versions I guess except for my Printer files disks which to me is running a lot different and faster.

Truthfully, I even have two versions of IE7 in here and the 64 bit version runs exactly the same way except some Plug-Ins don't have a 64bit version to let this Browser perform the way its supposed to. I'm using the old IE7 32 version to look at Videos at Youtube and the new 64bit version can't see those Videos. Do they run faster or slower I can't answer that yet till the new helper files actually come out.

[gryphonslair99]

The disadvantage here isn't in 32 bit vs 64 bit. The disadvantage here is using Windoze entirely. Mac users don't ask these questions. We already see the speed increase with a 64 bit system. Now if Adobe will get their act together and get CS4 out in a 64 bit version.

[swampler]

I use 32 bit now, but if I upgrade to Windows 7, I will go 64 bit then.

I'm sure glad I don't have a Mac...sounds like they don't give you any choices.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by Arfur

That's correct, swampler. You don't get garbage with Macs. Only top of the line gear.

Yep, top of the line trash can (MAC) to hold the trash bag (OSX). You have to buy the garbage separately!

So, any luck with your popups?

[M. Worthington]

Originally Posted by Not4wood

Truthfully, I even have two versions of IE7 in here and the 64 bit version runs exactly the same way except some Plug-Ins don't have a 64bit version to let this Browser perform the way its supposed to. I'm using the old IE7 32 version to look at Videos at Youtube and the new 64bit version can't see those Videos. Do they run faster or slower I can't answer that yet till the new helper files actually come out.

After hearing all of this, the 64 bit version sounds like a big pain in the watooka. And how many programs really require or take advantage of more than 4 gigs of ram?

[zemlin]

Come on guys - this dead horse is as tired and pointless as debates about Politics, Religion, Nikon vs Canon ... ... ...
There are no winners, only losers who have nothing better to contribute.
This isn't helping the OP one teeny bit.

[Joe User]

Originally Posted by zemlin

This isn't helping the OP one teeny bit.

That's true. Why doesn't someone just start an "I hate Windows" thread, and all the MS haters can post their venom there.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Arfur

In response to the venomous, arrogant, misguided Windows posts.

Let's just assume you're joking. Regardless, let's keep the threads on track, or I'll have to get out the woopin' stick.

[Not4wood]

So far, I've finished installing my CS2 and I've been trying to catch up on my add-ons. I found my Key Code for my Nik Sharpener and now I'm going in and trying to install my Actions.

Next up, its finally time folks. I'm up to Calibrating my Monitor. I do hope that the installation disk does have a Vista version.

BTW, Arfus is correct. Apple had whats called "Hyper Card" if I'm remembering it correctly on Mac Users way back when. Worked Great for exactly for what it was, a great easy way to get into your computer and run the programs.

We all have our preferences, whether it be IBM, MS or Apple, and like the Canon or Nikon debate. I think this is the best way to figure out how to install and run our programs on the new systems logically.

[gryphonslair99]

Hey I was just having fun with the Mac comment. Seriously however, 64 bit will run 32 bit software. 32 bit will not run 64 bit software, at least not in a 64 bit environment and sometimes not at all.

[400duser]

I use x64 bit Windows Vista Ultimate/Windows 7 RC

[moonshadow]

64 bit vista and linux.

[sjprg]

I just bought my first MAC. A Macbook Pro. I can't tell if the Leopord is 32 or 64 bit. I know that CS4 only loaded its 32 bit version, whereas it loads both versions in Windows and tells you so.
I sure hope that Snow Leopord is 64 bits. I can't say I'm impressed with the MAC. I have spent about 60 hours delving into the inards, and have reloaded it several times watching the load functions. Even with a 2.8 Ghz processor and 4 GB of 1066 ram "ITS SLOW".
I reformated it and loaded a 64 bit Windows 7 RC alone and other than not having all the graphics and touchpad drivers it was actually perceptibly faster.
For my desktop I run a 64 bit Windows 7 RC with an Intel I7-920 at 2.66 Ghz and 12 GB of ram which IS fast. One of the advantages of 64 bits is having more ram available. When doing a large pano of 20 1DSIII raws Adobe grabs 10-11GBs of memory, Im wondering what it will grab when I put in 24GB?
Granted the laptop was purchased for my backpack for hiking in the mountains but still my 5 year old 12 lb Fujitsu laptop is allmost as fast as the Macbook Pro at 5.5 lbs which feels better to my old bones.
I've been in the business when Jobs and Bill were still in grade school and have watched the progress of computing for a long time. Jobs went in the direction of quick profit at outlandish prices, and Bill went for the long term at a lower profit. Which is why Apple only has roughly 7% of market. The last time I talked to Jobs he said "I get everything I want so it doesen't matter". The last conversation I had with Bill, he put me directly in touch with the engineer who could solve my compiler problem.
Paul

[felix.reichardt]

I am running Win7 64 bit. Can't see a dramatic improvement over on most things. Adobe CS4 applications seem to run a bit faster with same amount of RAM but maybe just a feeling ...

Big improvement comes from the fact that 64 can adress more memory. I have 8GB and that speeds up CS4 by a factor onmy machine.

[gryphonslair99]

Originally Posted by felix.reichardt

I am running Win7 64 bit. Can't see a dramatic improvement over on most things. Adobe CS4 applications seem to run a bit faster with same amount of RAM but maybe just a feeling ...

Big improvement comes from the fact that 64 can adress more memory. I have 8GB and that speeds up CS4 by a factor onmy machine.

Yep, the memory thing is killer. Don't know what is available in a IBM based PC for max ram these days, but I got to play with a new Mac Pro 8 core running 32 gigs of ram. Screamed like a Thunderbird Jet on a mach 1 flyby.

Now where did I leave that extra 32K lying around since that is what one of those costs.

[JDArt]

Interesting that more people (who voted) are using the 64 bit version of Windows. I would think there would be more driver/software compatibility issues. Maybe I should make the leap.

[sjprg]

The Asus Rampage Extreme will hold 24 Gb.
Three more days to Snow Leopord, I hope it is 64 bit on the MacBook Pro.

[vadim]

Originally Posted by gryphonslair99

The disadvantage here isn't in 32 bit vs 64 bit. The disadvantage here is using Windoze entirely. Mac users don't ask these questions. We already see the speed increase with a 64 bit system. Now if Adobe will get their act together and get CS4 out in a 64 bit version.

This is an interesting thread so let's not turn it into one of millions utterly useless discussions "mine is better because it rocks".
I would really question a claim that 64 bit is faster on no matter which operating system. The only operations that are executed faster on 64 bit machines is math on 64 bit integers and there are no many programs that do that more or less extensively. All pointers automatically get doubed in size so most of the applications take more memory than their 32 bit version. One of large applications I ported to 64 bit requires two times more memory than before. So why Intel and others decided to releaze 64 bit processors. The question is already answered in OP. The existing 32 bit machines already achived their limit in accessing computer memory. Increasing memory size over what we already have is impossible on 32 bit.

So the main disadvantages of 64 bit applications are that some are bloated in size and the fact that software producers are very slow in porting their software to 6 bit.
For example Canon still hasn't managed to port their RAW codec to 64 bit that is a major inconvenience when working with large number of this kind of files.

[sjprg]

So far my new Macbook Pro will not load a 64 bit version with the install disk that shipped with it. And to whomever said that Adobe did not have a 64 bit version is not correct, CS4 loads both the 64 and the 32 on Windows. Canon needs to get on the stick and release their 64 bit, but they also need to really work on the interface and features. DXO is still 32, but they still use the Quad processor efectively whereas with the Macbook Pro it does not seem to use the dual processer. So you have one Macbook Pro owner that is not impressed, expecially when looking below the surface. I have a whole litanly of undesiberable operations that I won't list here. If the manufactures of laptops get around to making a decent lightweight laptop under 5 Lbs for us hikers I'll dump this Macbook Pro like a shot.
Paul