ram and 64/32 bit?

[STRAT]

I'm on win xp 32 bit, on a 64 bit machine, and have 4 gig of ram. but i can only utilise 2 gig or ram (or 3 via the 3 gig switch). We're looking to upgrade the o.s., probably win xp 64. couple of Q's.......

 

1) we're more keen on xp64 rather than vista. is this sensible, considering ms's support for xp will soon cease?

 

2) is vista available as both 32 and 64 bit? are they both as stable and compatible as each other?

 

3) ram - it's not just down to the hardware is it? what if i have a 64 bit machine and a 64 bit o.s., but my software is still a 32 bit application. what then?

 

thank you

[JamesTaylor]

i've been looking at this recently also Strat...

 

from my understanding:

 

1. XP64 is the way to go, our IT support / supply company still don't recommend Vista for any kind of business use at present.

 

2. i beleieve Vista is available both in 32 and 64 bit... can't comment on compatibility / stability as i haven't used either yet.

 

3. if you run 32 bit software on a 64bit machine with 64bit operating system i understand that the OS essentially runs an emulation of a 32bit OS to run the 32Bit apps. However, this is still benifical as the 64bit OS can assign a full 3Gb of RAM to the app where as in true 32bit environment the 3Gb RAM that is available has to be shared with other background / system tasks so you may only end up with 2GB of RAM being used by the software.... hope that makes sense!!

 

i should also note that i've been looking at this from the point of view of running Viz, Vray & CAD... i presume though that which ever apps you use the same is applicable.

[STRAT]

thanks makes. scense.

[Macer]

If you are looking at buying a retail copy of vista, I know that (for example) Vista Ultimate comes on a dvd with both 32 & 64 bit versions, so you can install which ever you prefer. However oem discs (ordered with new hardware) only have which ever version you ordered (but obviously a lot cheaper than retailer version).

 

I haven't tried either yet myself. Though my digging has sugguested that vista's compatability has improved greatly, but there are drivers lacking for some older hardware. Xp does sound a safer bet??

 

Sorry, I know thats not much help.

[F J]

I'm on win xp 32 bit, on a 64 bit machine, and have 4 gig of ram. but i can only utilise 2 gig or ram (or 3 via the 3 gig switch). We're looking to upgrade the o.s., probably win xp 64. couple of Q's.......

 

1) we're more keen on xp64 rather than vista. is this sensible, considering ms's support for xp will soon cease?

 

2) is vista available as both 32 and 64 bit? are they both as stable and compatible as each other?

 

3) ram - it's not just down to the hardware is it? what if i have a 64 bit machine and a 64 bit o.s., but my software is still a 32 bit application. what then?

 

thank you

 

hey,

actually this is my current setup, dual-boot XP32+XP64..

even if MS indeed someday stops supporting XP, i'll just save an image of it with all the up-to-date patches.. they r yet to come up with somethin' that will make me switch from XP..

lastly, 32bit environments have attached boundries, everything has to be 64bit in order to take advantage of the new memory boundry.. i am almost positive that 32bit apps under 64bit environments wont be able to use more than the 3GB..

[Iain Denby]

Been going through the same thought process. I have decided on WinXP 64 with 8G Ram.

 

This is interesting reading for Photoshop

 

http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=320005&sliceId=1