Time to retire a 32-bit processor?

[NetProwler]

Four years is relatively a 'long' period when it comes to hardware/software. Adobe's CS5 suite requires 64 bit CPU as well as 64 bit OS ( Vista/Windows 7) with reasonable amount of RAM specifically to capitalize on the software's capability to make use of the additional Cores in the Processor and also to fully make use of the available physical RAM.

When I bought the CS5 Production Premium suite from Adobe, I didn't factor in the additional cost to upgrade the PC. Finally I ended up upgrading the PC and had to order a Windows 7 Ultimate - just to run the Adobe suite. CS4 doesn't have this minimum requirement of a 64 bit hardware/OS.

[keyon]

Finally I ended up upgrading the PC and had to order a Windows 7 Ultimate

Thanks, NetProwler...I was hoping to find someone who uses CS5.
I've looked at comparison charts between Win 7 Ultimate, Professional, and Home versions....and I'm not really seeing why CS5 needs anything more than Win 7 Home. The added features in Professional and Ultimate seem to be related to things like backups, security features, networking, languages, etc. -- not enhanced software performance.
Can you elaborate?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...oducts/compare

Adobe's CS5 suite requires 64 bit CPU as well as 64 bit OS ( Vista/Windows 7) with reasonable amount of RAM

Yes...I've found this to be true. Although I was able to get both Win 7 and CS5 installed on my 32 bit machine, things are not running that great.

[Boomber]

Most program's and and games today, support only 32 bit. By demographics like already said here, using most of them 32 bit regularly - I've tried 32 bit vs 64 system, there not big difference of all, but If you like running professional software or playing extreme advanced games, that use a lot performance of computer, you should upgrade to Intel i5 or i7 today, with new whole system computer (motherboard, video card, memories, etc.)

[NetProwler]

Thanks, NetProwler...I was hoping to find someone who uses CS5.
I've looked at comparison charts between Win 7 Ultimate, Professional, and Home versions....and I'm not really seeing why CS5 needs anything more than Win 7 Home. The added features in Professional and Ultimate seem to be related to things like backups, security features, networking, languages, etc. -- not enhanced software performance.
Can you elaborate?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...oducts/compare


Yes...I've found this to be true. Although I was able to get both Win 7 and CS5 installed on my 32 bit machine, things are not running that great.

One of the major advantages of 64 bit OS is it allows you to use the full extent of the RAM fitted unlike the cap of 3 GB in the case of 32 bit. For memory hungry applications like CS5, this itself will clinch the issue in favor of 64 bit OS. The easiest way to accelerate a PC is to add more memory and add a SSD at least for the scratch drive. I have just 4 GB for physical RAM and a faster additional drive used as temp/scratch drive. It is fast enough for me.

I opted for Windows 7 Ultimate for one reason - I didn't want to upgrade again for some other reason for some time. It allows you to run Windows XP mode in case you have some applications which won't run in 64 bit (many still need 32 bit drivers or there is no 64 bit driver available yet) mode. Besides you have BitLocker to encrypt your portable/external hard drive - though it may not be an issue if you plan to encrypt using trueCrypt.

You need 64 bit hardware/OS only for Premiere Pro and After Effects in this CS5 version. Photoshop comes in 32 bit and 64 bit versions in this package which gets installed by default in 64 bit OS. You can run whichever version you want. By the way, they include a complimentary version of CS4 (32 bit) so that you can continue to use the software until you decide to upgrade your OS.

[TrafficProducer]

I think 64 bit is mainly about suporting lager memory sizes

[deepsand]

I think 64 bit is mainly about suporting lager memory sizes

In addition to larger address buses, 64 bits also brings:

• Larger register sizes, which increase op speed and support integer computations of much larger values; and,
• Larger data buses, which increase throughput.

[brazda22]

Hi, friend, I think you should consider buying a new computer, but I don't see any usefull improvemeny (yet) for a 64-bit processors since I have such architecture both in my comp and my laptop. The speed you are gaining is not big as anyone of us would like to, on the other hand, older machines work almoust forever (like the difference beetwen new and old cars, the old ones are consisted only of mechanic while the new one have many electrotechnical stuff which may not work after few years), so as long as you have 32-bit software you should be fine. And don't forget the maintenance of your computer (cleaning and other things).

[Milivoje59]

brazda22, companies learned that if they make products that has shorter lifespan they will make more money. That is the main reason why older machines last forever and new ones don't...

[brazda22]

brazda22, companies learned that if they make products that has shorter lifespan they will make more money. That is the main reason why older machines last forever and new ones don't...

Of course, Milivoje mate, I know that maybe to well, from my bgd experience...

[keyon]

Hi, friend, I think you should consider buying a new computer.

Yeah...that's exactly what I did. Got an Intel Core i7 2600 Processor 3.4GHz. I'm hoping this will keep me running for at least a couple years