64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

RJ_Systems — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:23:41 GMT

April 2005, Microsoft releases Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Most assumed this was to go along

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

nlorvick — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:44:43 GMT

iTunes actually now does have 64-bit support, only for Vista though. http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

They list Vista x64 now as a supported OS. It still does NOT support XP x64 though.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

ecraw17 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:11:41 GMT

Great blog!

I bought a Trendnet wireless network adapter for one of my desktops a while a go from newegg. There were no 64bit drivers for it and I had to send it back. Huge disappointment.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

ceh4702 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:13:21 GMT

In Vista 64 bit edition, the method used to run 32 bit programs, is in a virtual environment. On some forums like www.anandtech.com, they had a poll about computer usage and Vista 32 bit was the least likely oper system. However over 3 times the amount of people responding chose the Vista 64 bit edition over the 32 bit edition specifically for playing computer games mostly.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

MaxN — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:31:28 GMT

Thanks for the thoughtful blog. I remember the initial excitement when windows was first released in a 64 bit edition, but I never thought I would be running up against limited support for RAM and concern over which devices might not have 64 bit drivers.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

stcloudpc — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:56:52 GMT

Fir gaming Vista x64 rocks, pack in 4 GB + RAM

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

BigBenCG — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:04:24 GMT

I have been running XP x64 for nearly 2 years now, I did not abandon my 32 bit OS because I knew there would be issues. I have not been unhappy with XP x64, and I have slowly started migrating my daily use to it. I am the kind of person that puts functionality before specification bragging rights, and after hours upon hours of reviewing performance monitor charts captured while using the computer there is no reason for more than 2 GB of memory.

I do use an iPod I purchased 3-4 years ago (3rd generation), and I have moved my iTunes library to my x64 machine. I am currently running iTunes 7.2, I did initially have issues with 7.0 stating it was not compatible with 64-bit operating systems. I believe with 7.1 the message went away the iTunes works. The only issue I ran into after 7.1 was burning support. iTunes would not recognize any cd burners internal or external. I found a fix from the creator of the burning software that iTunes employes, http://www.gearsoftware.com/support/drivers.cfm

Why a company like Apple does not ship a 64bit driver with their product is beyond me.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

DaveR — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:29:16 GMT

Years ago, I remember eagerly looking forward to the expected performance enhancements with my ProTools digital audio workstation (DAW) on a 64 bit Windows operating system. Bear in mind that ProTools is the recognized professional standard for computer based recording systems. They generally are a llittle behind the "cutting edge" with new technology support, understandably wanting to insure a proven, well tested, rock solid product. But, while they have brought our "Vista" support, they still have no 64 bit support (which I expect has a lot more to offer from a performance enhancement perspective than Vista). I (and others) build systems optimized for music recording and editing, which really can utilize a maximum performance platform. It would seem that it really is a tall order to effectively upgrade an extabilshed 32 bit application to 64 bit. I guess we just have to wait.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

tallguy1618 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:53:37 GMT

You forgot something: 64-bit Vista also has a faster internet connection. I checked the manual to my Asus P5E, and it said very specifically that a 64-bit operating system has a 1000 mb/s speed as opposed to a 100 mb/s speed. It also has Internet Explorer 64-bit, which I am not fully aware of the changes except for it's notabally faster. It's worth looking into.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

Boletus — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:05:45 GMT

Thanks for the heads up. I am considering going to 64 bit when I "upgrade" to Vista, probably sometime after SP2 comes out. Does anyone know of a good source for info on which programs (especially games) do and don't run under a 64 bit OS?

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

brightstar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:41:41 GMT

What games support 64bit Os's specifially beyond a few Cryrek and Epic games? I know companies were talking about it but I haven't heard of any recently that were written with 64bit in mind. Could someone provide a list, as I would be interested in seeing this. Boletus, just google bit Vista games, as there are forums dedicated to 64bit Vista gaming and have lists of games that work with Vista 64.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

brightstar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:43:36 GMT

By the way RJ, like the BLog.

re: 64bit Operating Systems - Are They Worth It?

GmsCool — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:54:01 GMT

http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=190&Itemid=116

Most games made in the last several years will however run in the 64 bit environment as they are 32 bit, they just won't benefit from the 64 bit system, older games (16 bit) will not run at all.