64-Bit System Question?

[vegettoxp]

Hello there guys, I just wanted to get a better understanding for 64-Bit Computing. My new Rig will be 64-Bit (Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770) Ready and since I have never used 64bit system, I just wanted to learn more about it. So if you guys can answer few of my question, it would really make my life a lot easier.

1) I know the biggest problem these days is 64-Bit Driver Support? Is this still Ture or Have things changed?

2) When it comes to software, I know the software have to be written in order to take advantage of 64-Bit System and Multi-Core, I am gona do my best to

get all my software 64-Bit Ready, but Will I still be able to run 32-Bit Based Software on 64-Bit system? I am pretty sure that not all software out there are gona be 64-Bit ready. Your Thoughts?

And if you guys can give me any good links that talk about 64-Bit Computing, Please share them with me. I wanna learn as much as possible before I go from 32-Bit System To 64-Bit System.

Thank You for All you Help!

P.S. Fusion

 

[Gooberlx2]

Most 32-bit (x86) software will run fine via an emulator in Vista x64. There is nothing you need to do differently, it's all transparent to the user. Theoretically there could be a slight performance hit due to overhead, but in reality that difference doesn't exist.

I suggest searching here and the OS forum. There are many many threads about 64-bit drivers, software and issues.

*note, 16-bit software will not run in VIsta x64. (which likely isn't an issue for anything unless you're trying to run some very old applications)

 

[Continuity28]

Originally posted by: vegettoxp
1) I know the biggest problem these days is 64-Bit Driver Support? Is this still Ture or Have things changed?

I haven't had any problems. 64-bit drivers for common modern hardware is mature.

2) When it comes to software, I know the software have to be written in order to take advantage of 64-Bit System and Multi-Core, I am gona do my best to

get all my software 64-Bit Ready, but Will I still be able to run 32-Bit Based Software on 64-Bit system? I am pretty sure that not all software out there are gona be 64-Bit ready. Your Thoughts?

95% of 32-bit software runs without any major issues. 16-bit software and below is unsupported. 16-bit is generally Windows 95 and before, and any such software is usually better emulated with a program like VMWare Server or DosBos anyways (both free). Some software may merely have a 16-bit installer for the 32-bit program, which can usually be worked around.

Most of the software you and everyone will use right now is still 32-bit. There isn't a noticable performance hit either for running 32-bit software in 64-bit Windows. 64-bit software is still emerging, and would be advantageous to use if available. Very few PC games are 64-bit.

Honestly, you'll run into many more compatibility issues with older software from having more than one CPU core than you will running 64-bit.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: vegettoxp
Hello there guys, I just wanted to get a better understanding for 64-Bit Computing.

Are you asking about 64bit CPUs or 64bit operating systems?

64bit CPU = no problems
64bit OS = Find all the drivers and software you will need before you buy the OS.

 

[vegettoxp]

Thx for the input guys. I am gona do some work on 64-Bit before my system gets online!

 

[Noema]

I've been using Vista 64-bit on my system and driver support has been rock-solid, with one exception: my GuitarPort amp modeler has no 64-bit drivers, because the manufacturer, Line 6, hasn't bothered them and probably won't ever. That said, I use a virtual machine (VirtualBox, which is free) to run it (it's a USB device) in a 32-bit guest machine with no problems inside Vista 64-bit.

I doubt you'll have any problems.