64bit - worth the hassle?

ansorgj wrote on 8/13/2009, 2:47 PM
hi,

I got the Windows 7 Final release from a MSDN subscription and went ahead installing the 64-bit version. After sorting out some driver issues (ten year old, outdated hardware) It runs fine and all my glorious 4GB RAM are available - great.

But I run into compatibility issues with application software :(

Sony Vegas is available as native 64-bit. Installed. Then I go to Cinescore - ups, 32-bit only! In order to use it as Vegas Plugin (all my projects contain generated music) I need to install Vegas 32-bit in parallel to be able to use the cinescore plugin (according to a KB article). Ok, second copy of Vegas installed. Open my last project: Music is there but what ... oh, the New Blue Sampler Pack effects are missing. Ok, install them: nice, setup asks for which Vegas I want it to install - So, I run the NewBlue setup twice, pointing to both Vegas versions. But in the end, the Plugin works only in the 32-bit Vegas :(

So, installing 64-bit Vegas seems pointless.

And then there is - off topic - Nikon, <sigh /> no 64-bit versions of their whole software suite for my DSLR either ...

In the end, the only benefit of going 64 is the ability to put more RAM in my PC. But what is this RAM good for if I only run 32-bit apps that cannot use more than 3GB anyway?

What are your 64-bit experiences?

thanks
Jens

Comments

johnthor wrote on 8/13/2009, 3:11 PM
Some interesting memory observations and avchd

Read the above Messages (over 85). May not be right on target
for your question, but sure helped me learn a lot and get me
editing again.
NewBlueFX wrote on 8/13/2009, 4:28 PM
The NewBlue Sampler Pack definitely does run in 64 bits. If you are encountering a problem, please let us know so we can help you and/or fix our problem.

Thanks,

Todor
rmack350 wrote on 8/13/2009, 5:16 PM
When you're running five or six piggy applications that extra memory is nice, even if the individual apps can't use a lot.

Rob Mack
srode wrote on 8/13/2009, 5:28 PM
I only have 2 apps that I use and won't work on XP64 - one is my scanner front end and one is the Nikon NEF file viewer - I have a dual boot machine with 32 bit for those.

64 bit gives you ability for much bigger RAM preview in Vegas - which I do use - plus it's a bit faster at other tasks. S

Net, I see no hassle really with 64 bit - W7 may give you the ability to run more 32 bit applications on 64 bit Win7 through an XP virutal machine screen that is 32 bit.