10 Replies Latest reply: Oct 4, 2008 1:32 AM by Ian C. Matthew RSS

    Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference

    KarenSC Community Member
      Hi, can someone please explain the difference between 32 and 64 bit and why the 64 is a preference for some of you? I'm more concerned about peripherals and printers working with Vista Ultimate on 64bit, before purchasing and installing CS4 onto a new computer. Thank you.
        • 1. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
          BobLevine CommunityMVP
          The 32 bit version cannot use more than about 3.5 gigs of RAM. With only
          one or two applications open it's not that big of a deal, but when you
          have 4, 5, or more applications open, they're all trying to using it at
          once.

          Enter Vista Ulitmate 64 and it's ability to access almost limitless
          amounts of RAM. Even though the 32 bit applications can only use about 2
          gigs, the O/S can supply each with that amount.

          With CS4 Photoshop will be native 64 bit and will therefore be able to
          use all you can throw at it.

          Once you've done this, there's no going back.

          Bob
          • 2. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
            KarenSC Community Member
            Thanks Robert - that explains a lot. Dell was saying that Vista Ultimate on most of their machines can't use more than 4G. They mentioned the Precision instead which is 64 bit. I know there's a big price difference but I've been using 4G ram for 3 years and I want to at least double it for now (or more) on a new machine. I also have 4-5 programs open at once, so that would be really helpful. will have to research more.
            • 3. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
              (Aandi_Inston) Community Member
              Bear in mind that to run 64 bit you need (a) a computer able to do
              this and (b) the 64-bit edition of Vista (not the normal one).

              Good things:
              * Can run 64-bit programs that use more than 2 GB (Photoshop CS4 will
              be one of these).
              * Can use more than 3 to 3.5 GB of RAM in total
              * Each program can use up to 2 GB (if available)
              * The excess is available for cacheing disk

              Bad things
              * Driver and software availability needs checking. Little things may
              not work (e.g. in Acrobat, PDF preview in icons). Or big things.
              * 64-bit applications will need 64-bit plug-ins
              * Less mainstream, overall support may be more limited if things don't
              work.
              * 64-bit programs are a little larger and use a little more RAM than
              their 32-bit equivalents.

              Myths
              * "64 bit programs will go faster than 32 bit programs". Myth, unless
              the program can make use of more than 2 GB of RAM.
              * "All programs will go faster in 64 bit Windows". Myth, unless the
              extra memory you can use reduces the amount of disk operation.

              Aandi Inston
              • 4. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
                KarenSC Community Member
                I have been investigating and comparing Vista versions and computers. So far, I have seen nothing to make me want to go to Vista Ultimate. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/compare-to-windows-xp.asp x

                Everything Vista Ultimate does I already have in Adobe programs or others. I currently have 4G ram and I wish to go lots more, but I have to have a 64bit computer to do so. But I would prefer XP than Vista Premium. So, I'm a bit stuck. I didn't really want to get CS4 if I was going to get a new computer, but if CS4 works on XP, then I might just settle for it and not a new computer. The other difficulty is that all my family relatives (particularly elderly) who rely on me, have XP and as I am their main help, I'm not that keen to be different to them at this point in time.

                I feel like I'm in quite a dilemma.
                Does CS4 work ok in Windows XP?
                • 5. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
                  D Fosse-QDEaQ1 Community Member
                  Just to clear up any confusion: 64 bit Vista does not
                  i have
                  to be the Ultimate edition. All Vista editions come in 32 and 64 flavors.
                  • 6. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
                    BobLevine CommunityMVP
                    > * Driver and software availability needs checking. Little things may
                    > not work (e.g. in Acrobat, PDF preview in icons). Or big things.

                    Very little out there without driver support. Anything new probably does
                    but it is worth checking.

                    PDF previews will work as long as they are generated in a 32 bit shell.
                    For instance, if you show thumbnails in the Acrobat open dialog box and
                    wait for them to generate, they will be available from then on.

                    > * 64-bit applications will need 64-bit plug-ins

                    That's an issue for Photoshop to be sure.

                    > * "64 bit programs will go faster than 32 bit programs". Myth, unless
                    > the program can make use of more than 2 GB of RAM.

                    And that whatever is being done requires more than 2 gigs of RAM. A web
                    designer is not going to see any speed increases in Photoshop CS4 64
                    bit, but someone creating billboards will.

                    Bob
                    • 7. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
                      Ian C. Matthew Community Member
                      I use Vista Business 64 bit. Do NOT expect a new look or feel over 32 bit. If going down the Vista 64 bit road, then the only versions worth considering are Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate.

                      I would take a look at Vista 64 bit for the reasons outlined by others and also because it is impossible to buy a new PC that does not contain a 64 bit CPU. Even budget Intel Celerons and AMD Semprons are 64 bit these days. Add to the fact that 4 GB memory kits are very cheap and you have a 64 bit capable PC for not too much cash.

                      As for drivers, things are not as bad as many make out. A new machine should have 64 bit chipset drivers available for download if not on a supplied CD / recovery CD. Printers, scanners, monitors etc should be fully 64 bit by now esp if bought within the past year or so. Still, I'd do a bit of research and find out if 64 bit drivers are available for new and existing items you have.

                      Ian
                      • 8. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
                        Community Member
                        will Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium have any problems running on a PC with vista 64 bit OS

                        currently running on vista 32 bit OS but going to purchase new laptop and want to know if CS3 will have probems running on 64 bit OS

                        Carlos
                        • 9. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
                          BobLevine CommunityMVP
                          > will Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium have any problems running on a PC with vista 64 bit OS

                          Runs beautifully for me.

                          Bob
                          • 10. Re: Difference between 32 and 64 and why is 64 your preference
                            Ian C. Matthew Community Member
                            To add to Bob's thumbs up, I have CS3 Design Prem running on Vista Business 64 bit. It runs well. The only 'problem' I've had was installing Acrobat 8 Pro. A dialogue asks for a DLL file from the Vista DVD. Simply clicking ignore solves that one.

                            Ian