Vista 64bit for games but what if the games are not 64bit?

[AppleWorking]

Hi,

I was told to run Vista 64bit for games, but I was wondering about this… Since many applications don’t even have a 64bit version out and I don’t think games are 64bit, will they all run under vista 64bit? I have a feeling this might be a dumb question, but I just wanted to make sure before I go out and buy Vista 64.

Also do you think windows 7 is better for games? Will it even run games that have not been written for it? Or would I just be better sticking with vista 64 until everyone has caught up and made their apps compatible with the new windows 7? I mean will antivirus programs, ripping apps, etc work under windows 7 without a hitch, or should I wait and just use vista64 for now?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Guiyon]

The system will drop into 32-bit compatibility mode and they should run. I have yet to run into a game that has had any serious issues. As for Windows 7, remember that it is a beta and will expire later on this year and you'll be SOL until you either buy a release copy or downgrade

 

[Stridder44]

Vista/Win7 64-bit has something called WoW64 (Windows on Windows 64):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW64

As Guiyon said, it basically allows 32-bit applications to run. It's not an emulation layer, so there's no slowdown whatsoever. I also have yet to run into anything that doesn't work (I even ran Oregon Trail earlier this week just for funsies).

As far as Windows 7 being better for games, current benchmarks have shown there isn't too much of a performance difference between it and Vista64 (Win7 might see some slight benefits). That could change in Win7's favor later. Windows 7 IS Vista, which is why it's so funny to hear people say that Vista was slow and terrible but Windows 7 is not. You won't see the same driver/application issues you saw with going from XP to Vista. So yes, Windows 7 is a very solid choice.

 

[jav6454]

Hi,

I was told to run Vista 64bit for games, but I was wondering about this… Since many applications don’t even have a 64bit version out and I don’t think games are 64bit, will they all run under vista 64bit? I have a feeling this might be a dumb question, but I just wanted to make sure before I go out and buy Vista 64.

Also do you think windows 7 is better for games? Will it even run games that have not been written for it? Or would I just be better sticking with vista 64 until everyone has caught up and made their apps compatible with the new windows 7? I mean will antivirus programs, ripping apps, etc work under windows 7 without a hitch, or should I wait and just use vista64 for now?

Thanks for the help!

I run Windows 7 64-bit flavor thru Boot Camp. I recently purchased The Sims Complete Collections (The first The Sims). That game is definitely 32-bit, however, Windows 7 runs it fine as if were any other program.

By the way, I highly suggest anyone interested in gaming on the Mac getting Windows 7 Beta 64-bit. It has proved by far much stable and smooth running than Vista (even though its a Beta OS). I get a hefty 55 fps in Command and Conquer Generals (and its Expansion Zero Hour) and it drops to 48 fps in heavy fighting. Granted I have a 2.4GHz Al MacBook so having that kind of performance is remarkable least to say.

Other games like CoC: Red Alert 2 run fine and those programs are most definitely 32-bit.



tl;dr - Windows 7 64-bit works very well with old games written in 32-bit.

 

[Stridder44]

tl;dr - Windows 7 64-bit works very well with old games written in 32-bit.

x2. Win7 64 = your best choice.

 

[steveza]

Watch out for online games that use Punk Buster. Windows 7 is not yet supported by Evenbalance and some games don't work correctly.