64 bit confusion

k o star · Post by **k o star** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:28 pm

Am very confused abt why we should run our Mac system in 64 bit instead of 32..
What would be the purpose of that?
Is it more efficient? Does it mean Ur software would need less RAM?
Also, how to check if Ur running in 64 or 32 in Kontakt, Logic, Play, ProTools etc..?

-Kel

k o star · Post by **k o star** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:33 pm

k o star wrote:Am very confused abt why we should run our Mac system in 64 bit instead of 32..
What would be the purpose of that?
Is it more efficient? Does it mean Ur software would need less RAM?
Also, how to check if Ur running in 64 or 32 in Kontakt, Logic, Play, ProTools etc..?

-Kel

Just found out how to check it.. Go to Apple -> More Info -> Software -> Extensions, at the bottom it says 64bit-Yes
HTH..

The purpose of using 64bit.. still no idea..

K

t4mh · Post by **t4mh** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:58 pm

Kel, yes, you should run what is called a 64 bit Kernel. If the answer is yes then you are in 64 bit mode!

32 bit operating systems( Windows Vista ) can only access 4 GB of RAM. If you have more ram than 4GB, your computer never "sees" it as long as you are in 32 bit mode.

64 bit mode accesses the ram above 4GB. Obviously, all of your virtual instruments and processors run in ram and you CAN run out of it more easily at only 4G. You COULD run out of ram in 64 bit mode even with more ram installed but you would do so only after loading lots more instruments and processors.

If you don't have enough ram you might want to think about adding it as EW can be a hog.

Sort of simple but sort of complex. Ya git it? You will have to try both modes to find which way your computer runs best. I have no idea of your hardware...

Whats cool is that Apple gives you the ability to run in either mode. Windows won't. So if you run into software that simply won't run in 64, you can reboot into 32 or vice versa!

HTH
Good Luck bud!

k o star · Post by **k o star** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:18 pm

Thanks Keith.. I think I'm beginning to understand now..

I'm currently using 3GB of RAM on my MacBook now..
It has 2 slots for RAM.. which means that by running in 64bits, I can slot in two 4GB of RAM total of 8GB & wala! my MacBook can then run on 8GB worth of RAM.. If that's the case.. I'm definitely gonna get those two 4GBs of RAM..

That's Fantastic News I think! 8GB would be very very sweet compared to the previous max which was 4..

Deeply appreciated the info..

-Kel

jdstamper · Post by **jdstamper** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:52 pm

I recently made the move from 32 bit to 64 bit (windows xp to Windows 7, on a brand new PC) and updated all of my apps from 32 to 64 ... including Sonar, EastWest (6 of these), Kontakt Player, Guitar Rig, Superior Drummer ...

I've found that each of these runs better, faster and more stable in 64 bit, with lots of power to spare. I was quite surprised that all of these were stronger in 64 bit (East West in particular, due to some glitches I had in the past).

As always, your mileage may vary.

Jim

k o star · Post by **k o star** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:38 am

jdstamper wrote:I recently made the move from 32 bit to 64 bit (windows xp to Windows 7, on a brand new PC) and updated all of my apps from 32 to 64 ... including Sonar, EastWest (6 of these), Kontakt Player, Guitar Rig, Superior Drummer ...

I've found that each of these runs better, faster and more stable in 64 bit, with lots of power to spare. I was quite surprised that all of these were stronger in 64 bit (East West in particular, due to some glitches I had in the past).

As always, your mileage may vary.

Jim

Thanks Jim.. That's good to know =)

Kel

kclements · Post by **kclements** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:59 am

Hey Kel -

There are number of things you should know before going into 64 bit land. Check out this link for some info:
http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/ ... ow_leopard

First - software needs to be re-written to take advantage of 64 bit. For instance, all of the Spectrasonics stuff, Kontakt 4 is all native 64 bit. I didn't think that EW is. I have heard that it has something to do with iLok - but maybe I am wrong. Maybe someone that uses EW stuff can chime in. Also, your DAW needs to be 64 bit. Which Logic is and I think Digital Performer. Again, I use Logic, so I am not sure about the others.

Other software that you use, like Photoshop, Word... would also need to be 64 bit. This is where the Info pane comes in. As you know, if it says 64bit, it will run natively. If not, it has to run in emulation - which may actually be slower than running your system in 32 bit mode.

Also, your mac has to support running 64 bit. Most modern macs do, but it depends on the age of your mac. Check out this site: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/will-yo ... serve/4712 and see if you Mac is listed. If not, you can't run 64 bit regardless.

All macs ship running in 32 bit mode. If you mac can run 64 bit and you decide you want to go that route, you have to restart it holding down the 6 and the 4 keys until you see the spinning wheel. To go back to 32 bit, restart and hold the 3 and 2 keys.

Hope this helps. I have been running Logic in 64 bit for the last couple of months and really like it. I have seen a big performance improvement in Logic. I forget, are you using Logic? If so, you may also want to check out this link from MacProVideo.com (great tutorials, by the way): http://www.macprovideo.com/tutorial/logic107

k o star · Post by **k o star** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:07 am

Thanks for the very good infos KC..
I think I jsut hit a brick wall cos it says MacBooks (non-Pro) can't boot in 64bit.. doh! I should cancel my RAM order.. Appreciated..

Kel

kclements · Post by **kclements** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:37 am

No, keep the RAM order. It will still be a big help.

The 4 Gig limit is per program, not per computer. So, your computer will still be able to see the 6 Gb - but, Logic or photoshop or whatever, won't. In other words, if you have 6 Gb of memory in your computer, Logic will only be able to use 4 Gb in 32 bit mode. But you will get better performance because Logic can get 4 Gb while the system uses the other 2 Gb.

So, I say keep that RAM maxed out. It is the best performance boost you can give your system.

kc

k o star · Post by **k o star** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:07 am

kclements wrote:No, keep the RAM order. It will still be a big help.

The 4 Gig limit is per program, not per computer. So, your computer will still be able to see the 6 Gb - but, Logic or photoshop or whatever, won't. In other words, if you have 6 Gb of memory in your computer, Logic will only be able to use 4 Gb in 32 bit mode. But you will get better performance because Logic can get 4 Gb while the system uses the other 2 Gb.

So, I say keep that RAM maxed out. It is the best performance boost you can give your system.

kc

Oh Wow! Was just abt to write them to cancel..
Thank U so much KC..
Yea, I'm on Logic so that would be Gr8! Wow! That'll be Awesome when it works! =)
Still a bit anxious from all the problem reports I've read when I searched online.. but
Very much appreciate Ur help..

-Kel

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