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MacDawg

Moderator emeritus
Mar 20, 2004
19,823
4,504
"Between the Hedges"
What computer are you using?

If it is the one in your signature, I would say use Windows 7 RC 64 bit

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 

dmbfan41

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 3, 2008
140
0
What computer are you using?

If it is the one in your signature, I would say use Windows 7 RC 64 bit

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif

yeah that one. i have it installed already as 64 bit, but will there be any slow down when the games are built for 32 bit?
 

Archernick

macrumors newbie
Jun 28, 2009
9
0
Yeah got the same prob, i got the 2.8GHZ, 4GB Ram, 500GB HDD MBP and im wondering wether to use 32 bit or 64 bit (For gaming ofc). I thought it was all to do with how much RAM you have. Anyone who can enlighten me is much appreciated.
 

LtRammstein

macrumors 6502a
Jun 20, 2006
570
0
Denver, CO
Yeah got the same prob, i got the 2.8GHZ, 4GB Ram, 500GB HDD MBP and im wondering wether to use 32 bit or 64 bit (For gaming ofc). I thought it was all to do with how much RAM you have. Anyone who can enlighten me is much appreciated.

No! RAM just determines how fast the program can load textures and other files on the fly. With 64-bit OS, you can map to all 4GB of RAM while in a 32-bit you can only map to about 3.8GB. Also, it does not affect 32-bit made games. If it's a Windows game it uses Windows API, and surprisingly Microsoft has kept the API up to date.
 

gugucom

macrumors 68020
May 21, 2009
2,136
2
Munich, Germany
the only reason for anyone to get 32bit is if they dont have a 64bit processor...

I would disagree on that statement. Many people continue to use 32-Bit because Apple did not support 64-Bit on their 64-Bit capable machines. All C2D Macs and all Xeon Macs are 64-bit capable. So basically many 2006 Intel machines can run 64-Bit but Apple only started 64-Bit support in 2008 and only in 2009 all Appe machines are 100% 64-Bit supported.

In most cases it is only a driver issue though and the drivers can be obtained by other means.

Some 64-Bit processors have no 64-Bit virtualization support. The MBP only got it with 2,16 GHz and higher.

My recommemndation would be to go 64-Bit for all systems with 4 GB RAM and upwards.
 

Tarek

macrumors 6502
Jun 25, 2009
398
78
Cairo
I suggest not using Windows 7 itself for games. But x86 is definitely better for games and home use.
 

dmbfan41

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 3, 2008
140
0
Why not use Windows 7?
Why is x86 better for games and home use?

well windows 7 is still a beta.

i've heard some games have trouble with 64 bit when they are not designed for 64 bit, and even that it makes the games run slower as a result.
 

cainnovacaine

macrumors regular
May 27, 2009
101
0
Chicago
well windows 7 is still a beta.

i've heard some games have trouble with 64 bit when they are not designed for 64 bit, and even that it makes the games run slower as a result.

That's an issue with DRIVERS and not necessarily it being 64 bit only. The architecture of your machine should be able to handle it just fine but the problem is that your machine doesn't have the necessary 64 bit drivers. In this case I DO NOT RECOMMEND WINDOWS 7 RC because its not a finished product and all drivers may not be attainable at this time, and while you can use many Vista drivers it is not entirely reliable.

My suggestion is go with XP 64 bit for x64 gaming, its territory is very well worn and in this one instance you may experience slightly better gaming performance on games. Of course, when the real deal Windows 7 64 bit comes out I think a lot of vendors will be supporting it very quickly so it may be safe to switch over very soon.
 

stainlessliquid

macrumors 68000
Sep 22, 2006
1,622
0
RC or beta, theyre just names. Do you think Leopard was "finished" when it came out? What matters is if they work well, Windows 7 works just as well as any other "finished" OS.
 
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