A few Windows 7 / 64-Bit questions

[thatsright]

Hi All.

I am building my new rig based on Windows 7 64-Bit and I have a few general questions:

1. I will be using 6GB of RAM, but I must use the 32- Bit version of Photoshop due to 32-Bit only plugins. I hear that 32-Bit apps will be limited to 4GB of RAM max. Is there a setting in Windows 7 that I have to specify PS (or other apps) to use up to 4GB only? Will Win7 do this automatically? Is there an error message when I get close or hit the limit?

2. I will probably buy the Win 7 Pro 64-Bit 'System Builder' version from NewEgg for $139. This seems like just the OEM version. If I have cold feet down the road, can I downgrade to Win 7 32-Bit or am I stuck with 64-Bit unless I buy a retail copy of the 64-Bit version that comes with 32-Bit install as well?

3. Are there any Windows Vista/7 64-Bit apps out there that clearly and markedly perform MUCH BETTER than their 32-Bit versions?

4. Are there any good threads/sites out there with a good overview of a Windows 7 64-Bit upgrade experience with tips and 'watch outs?' Looking for check list, caveats, positive reinforcement lol.

5. I have been out of the gaming scene for a long time. I may want to test out a few demos of more recent games (Stalker, Crysis). Are there any 64-Bit version of these demos/games?

6. Anyone have any issues using plugins with the 32-Bit versions of IE or FireFox. The only vital plugin is for my job-Juniper SRA VPN client.

Thanks

 

[theevilsharpie]

1. Physical memory allocation is controlled by the operating system, and is largely transparent to applications. 32-bit editions of Photoshop are limited to 4GB of virtual memory, and if Photoshop attempts to exceed that amount, it will crash. The 4GB virtual memory boundary is well-known, so well-designed programs won't allow users to exceed that amount.

3. Most 64-bit server applications (Terminal Services, Active Directory, SQL Server, etc.) will substantially outperform their 32-bit counterparts because they can keep more of the dataset in memory. As for desktop applications, I'm not really aware of any, but most applications are designed to function within a 32-bit address space.

5. A few games have 64-bit executables (e.g., Crysis), but if you're expecting a performance increase, you'll be disappointed.

6. 32-bit plugins will work fine.

 

[tcsenter]

1. Is there a setting in Windows 7 that I have to specify PS (or other apps) to use up to 4GB only? Will Win7 do this automatically? Is there an error message when I get close or hit the limit?

Windows supports it automatically but the application executable must have the Large Address Aware flag set in its image/header. Otherwise, its limited to 2GB virtual address space.

2. If I have cold feet down the road, can I downgrade to Win 7 32-Bit or am I stuck with 64-Bit unless I buy a retail copy of the 64-Bit version that comes with 32-Bit install as well?

The keys are not specific to 32-bit or 64-bit. You can use the product key to install either 32-bit or 64-bit, as long as the edition is the same (e.g. Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, etc.).

 

[thatsright]

The keys are not specific to 32-bit or 64-bit. You can use the product key to install either 32-bit or 64-bit, as long as the edition is the same (e.g. Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, etc.).

Is it also true that the install is tied to the Mobo? What if my mobo is damaged and I need to replace it, or I switch motherboards to a P55 based setup?

 

[konakona]

Just curious, maybe you can get a hold of someone still in college and help you get your copy for $30ish? I don't think that violates anything if given as a gift. Just a thought.

 

[lxskllr]

Is it also true that the install is tied to the Mobo? What if my mobo is damaged and I need to replace it, or I switch motherboards to a P55 based setup?

You can perform a warranty repair on your computer and keep the O/S. You may have to call MS to activate, but they'll do it for you.

 

[konakona]

You can perform a warranty repair on your computer and keep the O/S. You may have to call MS to activate, but they'll do it for you.

This. I have done this a few times and they were very lenient about it. You just tell them you switched between computers and your copy of windows is no longer in use in the old computer.