32 or 64

[Iain Denby]

about to upgrade my PC.

 

Is it best to go 64bit? I currently run Viz 6 (I know!), but Autodesk don't support any Viz releases, so I would need to buy Max 2008 even though I don't need the extra things that Max provides.

 

Is 64bit the way to go, now?

[Noise]

64 bit basically allows the computer to process much more complex scenes before crashing.

 

If you experience your computer crashing from out of memory errors etc... on a regular basis or if you need to work with complex scenes mainly with high poly counts or intricate shaders then yes, go to 64bit.

 

However, if your system at the moment doesn't suffer from that, then stay with 32bit.

 

Everything is going towards 64bit eventually but, not all software is 64bit ready so, check all the programs that you use for 64bit compatibility prior to upgrading.

[Iain Denby]

I don't get a problem with crashing, fortunately. I did fancy the larger ram usage, that's all.

 

I could upgrade to Viz 2008. Autodesk say:

 

Autodesk® VIZ software is supported, but not compiled, on the following 64-bit operating systems:

 

* Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional x64

* Microsoft® Windows® Vista x64

 

Not sure if that means it will run OK or not. In the knowledge Base it says none of the Viz releases are supported!

 

Oh, what to do?

[Noise]

From what you are saying, I would recommend that you stick with the Viz 08 upgrade at 32bit - especially if you are not having crashing problems and your workflow is is well integrated with Viz.

 

The extra ram is very enticing but there are alot more disadvantages than advantages to 64bit at this present time.

 

I think in general, if its not broken, don't fix it.

[STRAT]

32bit windows will only allow a maximum of 2 gig of ram usage (or a 3 gig switch). also, 64bit running is so much more smoother.

 

i'm on a 32 bit os and cant wait to upgrade. if in doubt, just download the 64 bit os demo (of vista) and try it out. use a boot menu to easily switch between the 2 operating systems.

 

but whatever os you choose, 32 or 64 bit, buy a 64 bit computer.

[JamesTaylor]

i'd upgrade to 64bit. You can still run 32bit apps on the system and you'll see a slight performance increase as the operating system can actually assign a full 3gb RAM to an application as opposed to the 32bit operating which has to use the full 3gig to run system processes aswell as apps.

 

However, i would only upgrade to XP64 from what i hear Vista is still worth keeping clear from.

 

i posted a similar thread a few weeks back - http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/26512-64bit-question.html - i got some reassuring info from reply's if you haven't already seen it!

[Iain Denby]

My intention was to upgrade to XP 64bit and not Vista.

 

As long as existing programs work OK on it, such as Photoshop CS, Word etc.

[Chad Warner]

Pretty much everything works on xp64. The only issues we've had were lack of drivers for some older printers. That and I don't think acrobat 6 writer works on it.

[Nic H]

^ Yep only thing Iv come across is the some of the office Xerox printers don't have drivers yet. Apart from that its fine, I get alot less Max crashes and can render alot bigger stills without 'unhandled exception' (i.e memory issues)