Advantages of x64

RobsTV · Nov 2, 2009

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racky29 · Nov 2, 2009

64 bit is the future, i suppose 32bit will start to fade out eventually
and win vista and win 7 is the start of things to come as regards to 64 bit operating systems
64 bit applications are starting to become popular now with the launch of windows 7

it would be nice to see a demonstration how 64 bit technology can be used to its full advantage over 32bit somehow

HSChronic · Nov 2, 2009

merged both the x64 true advantage and advantages of x64 threads.. they were exactly the same

moonburn · Nov 3, 2009

RobsTV said: ↑

Seems like the #1 question that should be asked is:

"Is there a performance advantage to using 64-bit Windows 7?"

Thanks to the links posted above, the last page of Q&A from infoworld finally addressed this:

Q. Is there a performance advantage to using 64-bit Windows 7?
A. That depends. If you're working with large files or running applications that consume a great deal of memory, then 64-bit Windows will typically give you a slight performance advantage over 32-bit Windows running on identical hardware. This is true even when using 32-bit applications. That's because the OS and device drivers themselves benefit from the 64-bit wide registers of an Intel or AMD CPU running in 64-bit extended mode. In addition, because 64-bit Windows 7 supports more physical RAM than 32-bit Windows 7 (192GB on non-Home versions vs. 4GB for any 32-bit flavor), you can easily expand your PC's capabilities well beyond what is possible in a 32-bit world.

(that last part of answer is where real problems arise with these Q&A's. Too many people automatically link adding memory with added performance. Performance was the questioned answered, and yet they say "in addition you can add more memory", not how that extra memory will do nothing for performance.)

The other linked site above addresses this #1 question as well:

Performance and Virtualization
"64-bit versions of operating systems such as Windows Vista and Windows 7 are not automatically faster than their 32-bit counterparts. In some cases, they may even perform slower because of the larger pointers as well unrelated OS overhead. Overall, an application’s performance depends on what it is used for and how it is implemented...."

Now for even more links, simply google how much memory do I need, and does more than 3 gig of memory help with (fill in blank). The answers will show that 32bit with 4 gig (3.5gig) is way more than enough for the vast majority, and 64bit might actually make your modern 64bit apps or games run slower than they do with the 32 bit versions. In those few very rare instances where 64bit performance is better than 32bit performance, they are usually talking single digits in percentage points of improvements, and sometimes how much better it is with it's 0.2% faster times. The performance losses however do top double digit percentages, with 5% to 15% not uncommon after going from 32bit to 64bit.

So if the consumer does not have much or anything to gain by going 64bit, who does?
Every single hardware and software manufacturer! Sales and money is what this is all about.
As such, they keep passing the koolaid around, and paying the reviewers to spout off about how you all need it.
Click to expand...

Enlightening! Currently, I don't know if there are x64 drivers for my laptop (see post #1 ) so I'm going to check this first. So the main advantage would be "the future", since upgrading to Windows 8 x64 (or x128) would be plausible and there will be more x64 based applications. I'm going to try a dual boot on my laptop to try out the advantages.

ennio · Nov 3, 2009

moonburn said: ↑

Enlightening! Currently, I don't know if there are x64 drivers for my laptop (see post #1 ) so I'm going to check this first. So the main advantage would be "the future", since upgrading to Windows 8 x64 (or x128) would be plausible and there will be more x64 based applications. I'm going to try a dual boot on my laptop to try out the advantages.
Click to expand...

Like I said, if your laptop is new, you will have at least decent generic drivers. That is not an issue anymore, because Vista drivers and 7 are compatible.

gothfebrio · Nov 3, 2009

32 bit os only allow 2 gb per applications/games even if u have 3gb(max ram)

tomorrow · Nov 3, 2009

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genuine555 · Nov 3, 2009

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regal · Nov 8, 2009

I was very reluctant to try x64 because of old specialized audio hardware but when MS offer the free trial of 7x64 I gave it a try. Worked flawlessly and is much more stable, I have never had a crash on my computer since switching 4 months ago. Music streaming is better now too, never a skip.

genuine555 · Nov 8, 2009

libertard said: ↑

Plus:

More bits more functions (like Combinatorics i.e more choice, option etc)
Handle larger memory (2^64-1)
Process data faster (Like water flow through the pipe i.e the larger the diameter the more water be able to pass through)
Task Switching is extremely faster (IBM OS/2 Warp has this capability long ago)
Better the system security (cr**k a lock with 64 digit codes is double harder)

Down side: (IMPORTANT)

Drivers. The most obstacles in making decision to switch from 32 to 64. Why? 32 bit driver won't run on 64 bit

What is driver and application?
Most drivers are ASM or inline ASM codes and very specific to OS platform (32vs 64 bit)
Most applications are using compiler that generate CPU micro-codes directly and so there's less issue to run on 64 or 32 bit compatible
Click to expand...

Now this is usefull info. Correct, complete and spelled out in just a few sentences. These are the main pro's and cons of x64. As can be seen, the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages

Advantages of x64

RobsTV MDL Novice

racky29 MDL Senior Member

HSChronic MDL Expert

moonburn MDL Member

ennio Guest

gothfebrio MDL Novice

tomorrow MDL Addicted

genuine555 MDL Expert

regal MDL Member

genuine555 MDL Expert