Is 64bit computing really that great?

[Trebor]

The OS is running so much faster and taking advantage of so much more memory now. I've very happy I did.

I noticed the other day that my Vista machine is making use of 2GB of my 4GB PC. Don't have many running programs so I don't know as to why, unless that's normal for 64bit OS's? Eithery way I can still run all my programs and games well.

 

[InsaneNutter]

I noticed the other day that my Vista machine is making use of 2GB of my 4GB PC. Don't have many running programs so I don't know as to why, unless that's normal for 64bit OS's? Eithery way I can still run all my programs and games well.

Windows Vista uses "superfetch" which monitors what programs you use the most and loads them in to ram when your system starts. This allows you to start your most used programs much faster

As you can see 12mb of my 4gigs of ram is currently free however 2.8gigs of it is been used to cache my most used programs, this will be given up when you load a program that requires more ram.

 

[xzKinGzxBuRnzx]

Would disabling this superfetch speed it up or slow it down any?

 

[InsaneNutter]

Probably slow your system down, I’ve seen your specs and you have more than enough ram to make good use of this feature. If you use Photoshop a lot or another demanding application it will be cached in your free ram so it will load up quicker as a lot of the program is already in your ram.

 

[Trebor]

Thanks for the info InsaneNutter. Goodness knows how long it'd take for the apps I run to start up without superfetch. Guess with the feature enabled I've just become used to things loading faster. Also great to know Vista has another plus point I can tell people when they ask if they should upgrade or not etc etc

 

[darvesh88]

I have a 4gb laptop running x64 vista ultimate, no problems runs a lot faster than 32 bit, it really helps when you have 400 tabs of firefox open and no slowdowns, and I run 2 server 2003 and xp profiessional on Vmware workstation. No lag ever, it runs great. I would only recommend x64 to heavy power users and admins who will actually utilize its power, for the average user who plays games, surfs the web etc x32 bit is more than enough.

 

[Safinn]

Thats a good suggestion mate. I have a x32 and I just do the simple stuff like play games and surf the web and its is much more than enough.