64-bit: More than just the RAM

64-bit: More than just the RAM
Author: Brett Thomas
Published: 16th Oct 2007


Introduction
If you're a member of this or any other technology-based forum, odds are that you've noticed the several versions of Microsoft's latest offering, Windows Vista. If you haven't, well... please come out from under that rock and get with the programming!

One of the biggest changes has been the clear offering and even a gentle push towards the 64-bit version of the OS. Indubitably, this extra option becomes fodder for forum discussion, usually along the line of:

Forumite 1: "Hi, I am building a new system and I wanted to know what your thoughts were on whether I should use 64-bit or 32-bit Vista? I've heard varying things around the net regarding compatibility, and was hoping someone could help."
Forumite 2: "Hi! I just read your post. You should definitely go with the 32-bit version. There's tons of compatibility problems with 64b (Just look at XP-64), and it's going to die a long, drawn-out death. Besides, the only actual difference between them is that 64-bit can make proper use of 4GB of RAM."
Forumite 1: "Oh, ok! Thanks!"

Now, what's wrong with this picture? The answer is a lot. Time and time again, self-proclaimed gurus determine that the only real difference between 32-bit computing and 64-bit computing is the memory limit. Are they right that RAM is a reason? Definitely - but that's missing about 99 percent of the true differences. By that logic, the only major difference between your old 8-bit Nintendo console and your Xbox 360 is processor speed. I think we can all agree, that's just wrong.

Read More at the Source :
NOTE: Very informative. Be sure to click Next Page at the bottom for all of it.

Bit-tech.net: 64-bit: More than just the RAM < Click Link Here







Enjoy,
Shawn

Thanks for that.
Never one to shy away from a challenge i've allways gone for the 64 bit route XP was ok but i find Vista far easier to work with,someday everyone will see the light instead of being scared of it due to what there mates uncles brother said ??

Thanks again

Squid,

64 bit will only get better over time to as there becomes more and more support for it.

Shawn

And over the years i've noticed that most manufacturers of both hardware and software are beginning to appreciate 64 bit over 32,

But theres better support for multithreading and quad cores with upcoming games bacause of PS3 and Xbox tri-core thingy

there's not doubt that x64 is better than x32.....its only the time which makes people to believe that x32 is the better choice....

i never used x32 vista.....Started from x64 and still on it....first i thought that vista is not good so i kept my xp also and dual booted them.....
the only reason i thought this was because of all the crap and hype on the internet about x64......
now my Xp is gone.....no more dual boot....I don't need it anymore...because its old...it may be still better than vista till now.....but no looking back now...hehe

now i'm so happy with my decision and really enjoyin it....

really nice article by Brett

64 bits are better than 32 in a programmers eye. Not only can you see more memory but the variables can hold more data. This alone can creat a speed increase. I agree with SQUID on two points, 64 is better than 32 for speed and performance. Don`t forget that this is a young os. As time goes buy more people will get used to it, more people will support it and it WILL grow.

Hi

Just so some "Nit-Picker" doesn't call you out on this someday, we need to get your terminology straight. There is no such thing as x32, the 32bit instructions are known as x86 and 64 bit is x64. When talking "bits" then it's 32bit and 64bit, but when you put an "x" in front, you're now talking architecture instructions and that's x86 and x64.
I know you're just using it in a contextual form (x32) but in places like this there's always someone who'll jump on you for that little gaff (not me tho!!) just an FYI..

@Shawn - Great article buddy!
While I do know the differences between 32bit and 64bit other than the RAM benefits, that article put things in a far better way than I can describe them to users, so it's now my Bookmarked page to send users too, to learn a little more than just the basic differences.
I was fortunate I guess, when in 1972 I was able to use one of those MONSTER IBM 64bit machines...darn thing was bigger then the 4x4 truck I own now and ran on punch card technology. Super cool tho, I wrote a program that required some 24,000 cards to perform and it made a 6' x 32" poster of a girl in a bikini by using lots of "x, !, %, <, >..." and so on....LOL!!
What can I say, I was 16 at the time and not much else was going thru my adolescent brain.
At the time that computer was the only one around for about 500 miles and we got to play with it for a week for our High School Computer class, which was in it's first year BTW. Other than that we simply made little "Plug boards" at school that when you hooked up the wires in different plugs you could make different lights go on/off..etc.
That was our Computer Class back then...just a tad different today.

I been using XP x64 and Vista x64 for years. I have had dual CPUs (single core, dual cores, and quad cores) for years. 64-bit programming has been a promise for years. Most companies are not doing 64-bit because they don't find a need for it. I would never want to see Microsoft Office 2007 64-bit. It is like multi-core or SMP progamming. Most applications still hit one processor or core only. This would be more helpful than 64-bit. Photoshop CS4 and some of my other A/V and CAD apps are 64-bit and multi-core capable. They need it for the post processing and rendering procedures. I find giving 2GB per core is best formula for performance. I have 8 Xeon cores and 16GB of RAM. I would like to see more highend games in 64-bit. My favorite game Stronghold 2 would benefit with 64-bit. It maxs out at 2GB of RAM. 64-bit would allow it to grow beyond 4GB. It is also single processor only. More RAM and CPUs would make it an extreme game. They won't recompile it.

Great article link. That is very true regarding the memory, most people strictly refer to the ability to see more memory which don't get me wrong is wonderful but that's not it.

Vista Enterprise x64