Using 64 bit PC with 32 Bit programs

[jntaylor63]

Need a straight answer on this.

Looking to buy a 64 bit PC for video editing / conversions. I want this type of machine mostly due to the quad core processors and 4GB plus memory.

Can I still use my 32 bit programs for ripping and conversions? (DVD Shrink, Handbrake, ect) Will they utilize all of the processors (if normally called by the program) and the memory?

I dont want to invest in the hardware if I might lose half my programs till they catch up.

THX, JNT.

[jagabo]

All AMD/Intel dual and quad core CPUs are 64 bit now. You don't need a 64 bit OS to use multiple cores. You do need a 64 bit OS to use more than 4 GB of memory. Video editing generally doesn't require even 1 GB. Vista will be more comfortable with 2 GB. You can run most 32 bit programs on a 64 bit OS, but not all. 64 bit software can perform a little better than 32 bit software -- typically single digit percentages. 64 bit software along with more than 4 GB of memory will get a large boost in performance if the software needs all that memory. That is typically limited to server and HPC software, not video editing.

[jman98]

jagabo is quite right, but to add some personal experience...

My work PC is 64 bit and all the 32 bit programs I have run work fine on it, but I don't do video conversion at work. I've read about a few problematic programs that don't like to run under 64 bits, but there are fixes for those problems. You'll just have to do a Google search or search here or ask for advice when you run into those rare problems. Most of your programs will work OK.

[rallynavvie]

I just got my copy of Adobe CS4 Master Collection in the mail Friday but I've not had a chance to play with the new 64-bit apps. I'm wondering if there will even be a noticeable increase in performance with any of the video applications, though I'm not even sure if they got the 64-bit treatment.

Keep in mind that though 64-bit Windows can use more than 4GB of memory your 32-bit applications are still limited to less than that. Despite that most 32-bit applications I've used on my Vista 64 machine have run well. Some required some workarounds that I found on the web.

The one thing that will spoil your fun is 64-bit drivers. If there are no 64-bit drivers for some piece of hardware on your PC then you're out of luck. However it sounds like you're purchasing an OEM and they should validate their drivers if they're loading a 64-bit OS. Even if not it's easy to search for them. When I built my new workstation I checked for all of my device drivers before ordering Vista 64 and made sure they all had available 64-bit versions.

Right now there is not much of an advantage to use a 64-bit OS over the available 32-bit ones. You can always upgrade your OS later when there are more 64-bit native apps, but I don't see the general shift to 64-bit for another couple years.

[ofbarea]

Looking to buy a 64 bit PC for video editing / conversions. I want this type of machine mostly due to the quad core processors and 4GB plus memory.

Can I still use my 32 bit programs for ripping and conversions? (DVD Shrink, Handbrake, ect) Will they utilize all of the processors (if normally called by the program) and the memory?

All applications that I have tested work. Plus I have staring playing with some x64 apps like VirtualDub x64 and the GIMP x64.

I'm running Vista x64.

[jntaylor63]

Thanks to all who replied! May just get a 32BIT with QuadCore and 3GB of RAM.