OS.... 32 bit or 64 bit? That is the question.

[Pugnate]

So I will probably go for Vista pretty soon. I am just wondering... do 64 bit versions of operating systems need 64 bit versions of the games themselves?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Nothinman]

If MS did their job right it should run 32-bit apps without any problems.

 

[Aikouka]

Usually 32-bit applications can run well in the 64-bit environment; however, there are some programs that do not run and require separate binaries for the 64-bit OS. These also require separate drivers and companies tend to not develop 64-bit drivers either as timely or at all when compared to the 32-bit counterparts. It's simply that not many people use a 64-bit OS, so how worthwhile is it to spend the development money on supporting it.

I'm going to stick with 32-bit again, I think.

 

[Nothinman]

there are some programs that do not run and require separate binaries for the 64-bit OS.

The only time a 32-bit userland application should fail to run on a 64-bit system is if all of it's dependencies aren't available or if it communicates directly with a driver in some non-portable manor and then you should probably replace the app anyway since it's pretty poorly designed.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
The only time a 32-bit userland application should fail to run on a 64-bit system is if all of it's dependencies aren't available or if it communicates directly with a driver in some non-portable manor and then you should probably replace the app anyway since it's pretty poorly designed.

Some programs have to run like that .

If I remember correctly, when WinXP 64-bit came out, the only Anti-Virus that worked for it was Avast!. Also, no program that involved mounting images would work (since they used a faux driver to emulate a SCSI disc device). Although the anti-virus programs could be changed, something like emulating a mounted disc cannot.

 

[Nothinman]

Some programs have to run like that .

And those that do it with good reason are very rare.

If I remember correctly, when WinXP 64-bit came out, the only Anti-Virus that worked for it was Avast!.

That's because most of them install a kernel filter driver for the real-time scanning, doing manual scans should have worked fine.

Also, no program that involved mounting images would work (since they used a faux driver to emulate a SCSI disc device).

Yes, again because the bulk of the program was a kernel mode driver.

Although the anti-virus programs could be changed, something like emulating a mounted disc cannot.

If you want real-time scanning, no it can't since the scanner needs to be able to intercept all filesystem calls and allow/deny them before the data gets to/from the program.

 

[swaytech]

I actually tested this out in one of my classes, I could run cs and other half life games in 64 bit xp, so there shouldn't be any problems with vista .... unless microsoft totally messes up.

 

[Mem]

I game with a friend and he uses 64 bit XP, he has no problems with 32 bit software or 32 bit games,just remember with 64 bit Vista they have removed all the 16 bit legacy software ,so you can only run 32 or 64 bit software.

 

[VIAN]

There isn't enough support out there yet to jump on the bandwagon. But when enthusiasts start to reach the limitations of 32-bit, addressable RAM, 64-bit support will jump. I predict it will take 2-4 years for that to happen. Even at that point, it will only be used by the enthusiast market.

 

[obeseotron]

Games should run for the most part in 64 bit Vista, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. Even games with 64bit binaries haven't shown any benefit, and in the 95% of games that don't you often take a performance hit. Almost certainly still playable, but short of needing more than the 3 gig or so RAM limit in 32bit there is no reason to go 64 now.