Pros and Cons of x64 - Windows x64 Editons - MeraWindows: Microsoft Windows Community

Computer Forums for Windows Users

Other Windows V...

Windows x64 Edi...

Pros and Cons of x64

7/23/2010 12:05 AM

samagg

www.saumyaaggarwal.com
Joined: 5/20/2010

Posts: 311

Pros and Cons of x64

Pros and Cons of a 64 bit system:

You can address much more than 4GB of memory, which is ideal for avid gamers, CAD, video editors and heavy multi-taskers. However, any 32 bit software you use will still be restricted to 4GB memory – you need a 64 bit CPU, OS and applications to take full advantage of the extra RAM.
16 bit applications will no longer run. Although this is unlikely to be a problem, if you use very old software (from the Windows 3.1 days!) then it will not work under a 64 bit OS.
Existing 32 bit drivers no longer work.If you have older or poorly supported hardware you may find that it can no longer be used. Got a 7 year old scanner that just about works in Vista? You may not be able to get it working in 64 bit Windows 7.
Unsigned kernel-mode drivers no longer work. Along with the issue above, the inability to run unsigned kernel mode drivers will cause problems for old hardware. (There is reportedly a way to bypass this check).
Running some 32 bit applications on a 64 bit OS could actually be slower. The additional overheads in running 32 bit software in 64 bit mode could cause a slight degradation in performance. It will take some time for 64 bit software to become the norm.

Regards
Saumya Aggarwal
Microsoft Student Partner

Saumya Aggarwal http://www.saumyaaggarwal.com

7/23/2010 12:25 AM

vasu.jain

www.WindowsVJ.com
Joined: 1/28/2008

Posts: 3955

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

Nice work Soumya..i believe there isnt much for a normal user to migrate to x64 from x86.

7/23/2010 1:49 AM

samagg

www.saumyaaggarwal.com
Joined: 5/20/2010

Posts: 311

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

Thanks a lot Vasu...Yeah you are absolutely right...x64 architecture is "practically" untouched by normal users

Regards
Saumya Aggarwal
Microsoft Student Partner

Saumya Aggarwal http://www.saumyaaggarwal.com

7/23/2010 2:52 AM

Ankur Mittal

ankurmittal.com
Joined: 8/31/2006

Posts: 5399

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

But now it's time to shift to 64 bit versions already 46% of Windows 7 users are using 64 bit version and I hardly doubt the next version to be exclusively 64 bit or may even support 128 bit

7/31/2010 10:04 PM

samagg

www.saumyaaggarwal.com
Joined: 5/20/2010

Posts: 311

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

I think more usage of x64 is mainly attributed to Microsoft contract with OEMs and I personally dont feel that retail customers are enticed towards this edition. What are your thoughts on this?

Regards
Saumya Aggarwal
Microsoft Student Partner

Saumya Aggarwal http://www.saumyaaggarwal.com

8/1/2010 7:32 AM

Ganesh

Joined: 4/3/2008

Posts: 446

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

Modified By Ganesh on 8/1/2010 7:33:35 AM

Its true that its not easy to migrate from x86 to x64 but after the release of Windows 7.....it really boost the number of users....and facts and in front of us almost half of the people are using Windows 7 x64...Microsoft also confirmed that...after the release of Windows 7 i personally believes that software companies started building software in both of the platform....earlier their x86 version came first and then after much time gap the x64...

For more information: Windowsteamblog

Thanks and Regards
Ganesh
My blog: http://www.uncoverpc.com/blog/

8/1/2010 3:14 PM

navi

futuregadgets.in
Joined: 3/7/2009

Posts: 114

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

16 bit applications will no longer run.

Don't worry about 16 bit apps...These apps are very rarely used now.

Existing 32 bit drivers no longer work.

Obviously, we have to install different drivers for 64 bit editions.

So, in nutshell, i think its time to move on to 64 bit editions.....

Regards
Navneet

Future Gadgets

8/1/2010 9:31 PM

samagg

www.saumyaaggarwal.com
Joined: 5/20/2010

Posts: 311

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

Well nice data...Though I am big Microsoft enthusiast, I still feel its business sense and agreement with OEMs that are pushing up x64 edition...How many actual users are aware of this editions and require its benefits?

Regards
Saumya Aggarwal
Microsoft Student Partner

Saumya Aggarwal http://www.saumyaaggarwal.com

8/2/2010 1:02 AM

vasu.jain

www.WindowsVJ.com
Joined: 1/28/2008

Posts: 3955

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

Ankur Mittal wrote:
But now it's time to shift to 64 bit versions already 46% of Windows 7 users are using 64 bit version and I hardly doubt the next version to be exclusively 64 bit or may even support 128 bit

I dont think Windows 8 would be exclusive 64 bit , as we may see it somewhere around 2012. And still a majority of users have 32 bit versions although this number has significantly decreased since XP & Vista. That thing can be sure that if Windows 8 offers a flavor of 32 bit it would be the last Windows to do so.

8/2/2010 3:19 AM

Ankur Mittal

ankurmittal.com
Joined: 8/31/2006

Posts: 5399

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

@Vasu let see, but the research is going on 128 bit support too.

The following data was posted on Microsoft career site:

Join us to build an infrastructure that will be used by the Windows Org to run performance tests on thousands of machines ranging from netbooks to 128 core

I could have fetch only one line from the search result in Google and the page has been removed,even their is no cache for the page,still it's enough to say that research is going on to support 128 bit..

8/5/2010 10:47 PM

samagg

www.saumyaaggarwal.com
Joined: 5/20/2010

Posts: 311

Re: Pros and Cons of x64

Microsoft and other tech firms are way ahead of times. I happen to attend an event of Mr. Craig Mundie, Cheif Research Officer, Microsoft India where he told that his work is to look at things that will shape up in 10 years time. 128 bit systems are part of long term strategy.

Regards
Saumya Aggarwal
Microsoft Student Partner

Saumya Aggarwal http://www.saumyaaggarwal.com

Page 1 of 1

Computer Forums for Windows Users

Other Windows V...

Windows x64 Edi...

Pros and Cons of x64

MeraWindows Forums - Get your Computer Problems Fixed