In matters of opinion there are no errors, merely disagreements.

Visual Studio - that works far better on a 64-bit OS than a 32-bit one

Visual Studio is a 32 bit application. You will get the benefit of being able to use a full 4 GB of memory when running under a 64 bit O/S with more than 4 GB but then if you had 4 GB+ of memory you would have 64 bit anyway. I don't think VS is an answer to the question.

especially when creating 64-bit applications.

Yes, in that you can actually run them.

John.

It really doesn't matter whether it's a 32-bit application or a 64-bit one. The question wasn't "which 64-bit application runs faster than its equivalent 32-bit version?".

I still find that VS runs faster under the 64-bit OS the the 32-bit one. In fact, I find that - on my PC - almost all applications do. This is probably because the OS API is more efficient and because I can make use of all of my 4GB of memory. To say that I should ignore that factor - memory usage - seems a little artificial to me. Almost as artificial as complaining that the OS isn't an application.

Hi

What is an actual real world advantage of 64bit? excluding "it can use more than 3gb of ram"

Can someone name a normal everyday application that most people use that runs better on 64bit?

There is no performance difference between 32bit and 64bit, unless you have an application that needs gigabytes of memory, and for most people there isn't one.

For the OP with 3Gig of RAM running 64bit is a waste of memory as a 64bit OS requires more memory just to run, and each 64bit application you run uses more than memory again.

You need 6Gig or more memory to make 64 bit Windows really worth while (why 3 channel DDR was invented as it allowed 3x2GByte sticks of memory without breaking the bank), and even then unless you have a real need for that much memory it will be sat doing very little.

For those spouting 64bit is faster, go to Intel's website and find Intel telling it's customers that? If there was any real performance difference don't we think Intel would be shouting about it to push sales of new CPUs and hardware?...... The only performance difference comes from the ability to address more memory, and where you have a specific need for that memory, most people don't at this point in time.

Regards

Phil

That's a point of view that you're welcome to if it keeps you happy, and I really can't be bothered to yet again point out the fallacies in your argument.

All I know is that I've tried both and 64-bit is faster for me and uses no more memory. That's good enough for me. If others choose to stick with 32-bit Windows that's fine; I've no interest in persuading people one way or the other.

Hi

I still find that VS runs faster under the 64-bit OS the the 32-bit one. In fact, I find that - on my PC - almost all applications do. This is probably because the OS API is more efficient and because I can make use of all of my 4GB of memory. To say that I should ignore that factor - memory usage - seems a little artificial to me. Almost as artificial as complaining that the OS isn't an application.

Placebo effect, we've found no such thing in our company.

Also on a system with 4GByte of memory, you have less available for applications with a 64 bit OS then you would running 32bit even though you get to use only around 3.2Gig of it.

I've got 32bit and 64bit dual booting on a 4GByte machine, and the 32bit has more available memory even though it can only access 3.2Gig.

I know I will get flamed for this view, I always do as people are so blinkered over 32bit and 64bit it is untrue, so anyone who doubts me, dual boot between 64bit and 32bit with 4Gig of RAM and let me know what you find, otherwise don't bother arguing with me.

Regards

Phil

I know I will get flamed for this view

And by flamed you mean shown to be wrong. Again.

John.

Almost as artificial as complaining that the OS isn't an application.

By definition it is not. Although Windows is not just the O/S, it is also a suite of applications. So I agree that you can Windows 7 as an example.

To say that I should ignore that factor - memory usage - seems a little artificial to me.

You'll need a pretty hefty solution to max out your memory with VS. I think you're better off using properly compiled 64 bit apps as examples.

John.

In reply to a post by AnotherExPipex:

A rose by any other name....

What about if I run it within VMWare running on a Linux box. Is it an application then?

I find that the barriers between the OS and the application are fast disappearing nowadays, but if you want a real honest-to-god pedantic application then I'd say Visual Studio - that works far better on a 64-bit OS than a 32-bit one - especially when creating 64-bit applications. Or how about SimNow from AMD - again far better on a 64-bit OS (mainly because it doesn't run on at all a 32-bit one). That's just for starters - there are a host of similar apps.

neither of which are "Can someone name a normal everyday application that most people use that runs better on 64bit? "

just to clear up a bit of pedantry and the like.........
Can someone name a normal everyday application that most people use (excluding Windows 7) that runs better on 64bit?