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
 

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Squid,

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

Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

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    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
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    Custom
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    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    Windows 10 Pro
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    17.3" UHD IPS touch
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    3480 x 2160
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    512 GB M.2 SSD
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 :)
 

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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.
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
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    I5 3570K
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    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
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    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
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    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
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    creative x-fi
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    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
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    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
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    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
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    Logik
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    Technika TKOPTM2
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    288 / 4000
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    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers
    Trust Graphics Tablet
rhlblue said:
there's not doubt that x64 is better than x32

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.
 

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System One

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    Personal Build
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    Intel E6750 Core 2 Duo
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    Asus Commando MoBo (P965/ICH8R)
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    4G's Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC26400 RAM
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    NZXT Lexa Classic Case, Zalman 9700 CPU Cooler, 2 DVD Burners c/w LightScribe (Sony, TSST), Enermax NoiseTaker II 600W PSU with Custom Chrome cable sleeving, Hauppauge HDTV TV Tuner Card, 5.1 Logitech Z5500 speakers, 15 in 1 Multi-card reader
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.
 

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System One

  • CPU
    pair of Intel E5430 quad core 2.66 GHz Xeons
    Motherboard
    Supermicro X7DWA-N server board
    Memory
    16GB DDR667
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS 640 MB video card
    Hard Drives
    SAS RAID
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 :)
 

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System One

  • CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo e8400
    Motherboard
    EVGA 680i SLI
    Memory
    4GB Buffalo Firestix
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 8800 GT - 2x XFX 8600gt
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 300gb 7200 rpm
Some people might not agree with me, but I've found 64bit Vista to be more stable than 32bit Vista or 32bit XP in my expirence. I also like that I've found 64bit drivers for all my hardware.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Core 2 Duo E6600
    Motherboard
    Intel 975XBX2
    Memory
    8GB's of DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 3870X2
    Sound Card
    HT Omega Claro
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    Viewsonic VG2030wm Widescreen LCD
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    1680X1050
    Hard Drives
    120GB
    200GB
    320GB
    PSU
    ThermalTake Toughpower 700
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    four 120mm fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Intellimous Explorer 2.0
    Internet Speed
    10MB
    Other Info
    16X LG DVDROM & LG Dual Layer DVD Burner
    Logitech X-540 speakers
Funny, i found that mine was more stable too!

Overall i find that the ppl i know who dont like x64, dont like it coz they're favourite game/software wont work or something. i was too impulsive not to try it, especially when id bought a processor that was capabale of running x64.

My advice is if your pc is fairly modern, try the x64 version of vista before the x86. You're going to have to move to 64 bit at some point!!!
 

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System One

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    §ĮŁΣNŦ Д$$Д$$ĮN
    CPU
    Xeon X3360
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    P5W64 WS Pro
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    Corsair XMS2 8gb @ 5-4-4-12 833mhz
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    EVGA Geforce GTX470 SC+
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Extreme Gamer Fatlity Edition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T200
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD 1TB RE3
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughower 750w
    Case
    NZXT Lexa Silver
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS10x Extreme
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa Mirror
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder 3500dpi
    Internet Speed
    24Mb/s
    Other Info
    My massive wifi antenna is in the post!
This is very informative, thanks! I recently received my new computer loaded with Vista Home Premium x64 and just like many others I was very apprehensive and concerned after reading all the blogs online. But I went for it and couldn't be more pleased! I really like the interface and speed. I think the folks that have a bad experience simply ignore doing a little research to make sure x64 will work within their hardware/software environment.
 

My Computer

WildEagle, I'll agree with you, and will even wager that most other *users* of Vista x64 will find that it is a lot more stable than Vista 32bit.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
    Manufacturer/Model
    The Beast Model V (homebrew)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 965 EE @ 3.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 (04G-P4-3979-KB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
    Screen Resolution
    2 * 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
    2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA II Mech. HD
    Seagate ST1500DL001-9VT15L Barracuda 7200.12 1.5 TB S
    PSU
    Thermaltake Black Widow TX TR2 850W 80+ Bronze Semi-Mod ATX
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    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (Black)
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    Corsair H100 (CPU, dual 140 mm fans on radiator) + Air (2 *
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    Logitech G15 (gen 2)
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    Logitech MX Master (shared)
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Lightspeed Gigabit duplex
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    Sabayon Linux (current, weekly updates, 5.1.x kernel)
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    Lenovo ThinkPad E545
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    AMD A6-5350M APU
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
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    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon HD (Embedded)
    Sound Card
    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 15" Matte
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    1680 * 1050
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    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
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    Lenovo
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    Lenovo
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    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
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    Lenovo
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    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
johngalt, you got that right. Only thing I haven't done yet, is turn on hardware virtualization, in the bios of my motherboard. I haven't found a definitive answer on the net if it should be turned on, or left off, where virtualization and stability is concerned.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Core 2 Duo E6600
    Motherboard
    Intel 975XBX2
    Memory
    8GB's of DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 3870X2
    Sound Card
    HT Omega Claro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2030wm Widescreen LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1680X1050
    Hard Drives
    120GB
    200GB
    320GB
    PSU
    ThermalTake Toughpower 700
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    four 120mm fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Intellimous Explorer 2.0
    Internet Speed
    10MB
    Other Info
    16X LG DVDROM & LG Dual Layer DVD Burner
    Logitech X-540 speakers

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
    Manufacturer/Model
    The Beast Model V (homebrew)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 965 EE @ 3.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 (04G-P4-3979-KB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
    Screen Resolution
    2 * 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
    2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA II Mech. HD
    Seagate ST1500DL001-9VT15L Barracuda 7200.12 1.5 TB S
    PSU
    Thermaltake Black Widow TX TR2 850W 80+ Bronze Semi-Mod ATX
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (Black)
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 (CPU, dual 140 mm fans on radiator) + Air (2 *
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (gen 2)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared)
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Lightspeed Gigabit duplex
  • Operating System
    Sabayon Linux (current, weekly updates, 5.1.x kernel)
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad E545
    CPU
    AMD A6-5350M APU
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon HD (Embedded)
    Sound Card
    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 15" Matte
    Screen Resolution
    1680 * 1050
    Hard Drives
    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
    PSU
    Lenovo
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
    Keyboard
    Lenovo
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
As for HPET, I tried it, and wound up getting a lockups. Other people on various websites, have reported lockups and other problems when HPET is enabled, so I have it disabled.

From what I found out, recently there are fewer problems having hardware virtualization enabled in the bios, but I haven't gotten around to enabling it, until I can find me a definitive answer, as to whether or not it should be enabled or left on disabled.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Core 2 Duo E6600
    Motherboard
    Intel 975XBX2
    Memory
    8GB's of DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 3870X2
    Sound Card
    HT Omega Claro
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic VG2030wm Widescreen LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1680X1050
    Hard Drives
    120GB
    200GB
    320GB
    PSU
    ThermalTake Toughpower 700
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    four 120mm fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Intellimous Explorer 2.0
    Internet Speed
    10MB
    Other Info
    16X LG DVDROM & LG Dual Layer DVD Burner
    Logitech X-540 speakers
When this PC I am using was being built the toughest decision was which OS to use....I must admit that I was a bit worried about choosing the 64 bit Vista. December last year I knew very little about 64 bit and spent a lot of time reading horror story after horror story about Vista let alone potential issues with 64 bit. The Vista articles I read I noticed were pretty old.

I felt happy that all new drivers for Vista must also be written for 64 bit....so I was told.

I think it won;t be long before 64 bit software is in the majority. I'm very happy with my 64 bit OS and really haven;t had any problems driver wise.

I'm just ready for the future! :)
 

My Computer

Indeed, Vista x64 is more stable, and more secure actually, than Vista 32bits. The same can be said about XP x64, although it was based on 2003 rather than XP. (assuming all drivers have been found for 64bits)

@Chappy:
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..
*jumps*
Actually, it's x86-32 and x86-64. The "x64" is just marketing. Also, as for architectures, both are wrong... IA32, EM64T or AMD64 should be used in that regard.
*givesh cookie*
 
Last edited:

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System One

  • Other Info
    Windows 7 is love~~
It will be a lot longer than you think - because all the whiners that were complaining about Vista not running / supporting their old hardware (5 or more years old) are still out there with that same hardware.

Even now, my folks have a Del that is fully 64bit hardware and yet has a 32bit Vista Home Premium install.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
    Manufacturer/Model
    The Beast Model V (homebrew)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 965 EE @ 3.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 (04G-P4-3979-KB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
    Screen Resolution
    2 * 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
    2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA II Mech. HD
    Seagate ST1500DL001-9VT15L Barracuda 7200.12 1.5 TB S
    PSU
    Thermaltake Black Widow TX TR2 850W 80+ Bronze Semi-Mod ATX
    Case
    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (Black)
    Cooling
    Corsair H100 (CPU, dual 140 mm fans on radiator) + Air (2 *
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (gen 2)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared)
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Lightspeed Gigabit duplex
  • Operating System
    Sabayon Linux (current, weekly updates, 5.1.x kernel)
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad E545
    CPU
    AMD A6-5350M APU
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon HD (Embedded)
    Sound Card
    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 15" Matte
    Screen Resolution
    1680 * 1050
    Hard Drives
    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
    PSU
    Lenovo
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
    Keyboard
    Lenovo
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
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