Going fully 64 bit on the same computer - does it get me any performance gains?

 I was thinking about installing 64-bit Windows 7 and then 64-bit Sonar X1 on my modest computer.

Will I see any performance gains?

Until recently, there has been an article on Cakewalk website that clearly stated that one gains "up to 30% better processor performance" ON THE SAME HARDWARE when one updates from a 32-bit Windows to 64-bit Windows 7 and then uses Sonar X1 x64. Something about "the increased number of internal registers"... Is it true?

Any info would be highly appreciated.

The single biggest gain you or anyone else will see is the ability to add more RAM, meaning you'll be able to load more instances of your sample streaming vsti's

That's assuming your motherboard is up to spec!

Buy the fastest computer you can that has the most RAM <like maybe ASUS or a high end HP>, then buy MORE RAM to max it out, and THEN it will be worth the hassle. Biggest advantage of Windows 64 is that it has virtually unlimited ability to use RAM. Problem is, nobody makes anything that supports very much RAM, so ???

As for their claims, it's true. But XP runs WAY better and faster on your system than Win7x64 will, due to its low RAM requirements. It's not supported, but you would be AMAZED at how much WinXP x 64 would do for your current machine....:))
That being said, if you want to do what you said, max out the RAM for your machine and then go ahead!
It'll be better, maybe even that 30%....

I run Windows XP Pro 32 bit and Windows 7 Pro 64 bit setups on a dual boot on the same machine.

There is little or no performance difference running Sonar 64 on W7 compared to running the 32 bit version on XP.

The only noticeable difference is that I have access to over 3Gb of memory on the 64 bit setup.

I recently went for an I7 2600K from an AMD X2 64 based machine that made a BIG difference, projects that were maxing out the old machine now run with significantly less than 10% showing on the CPU meter.

double post

64 bit is definitely faster for a certain set of highly specific processes. BUT, the programs have to be optmised for it.

I've not actually checked this, but I think exporting complex tracks is a bit faster in Sonar 64 (for example). But most day to day stuff will be about the same.

However, I do slightly disagree with the general view that there's no point fir you to upgrade the system you have. If you can get 4-gb memory on your motherboard and go 64 bit, there is  subtle but important difference, in that you will have a smoother ride with sample heavy instruments, and in general, your system will rarely if ever need to resort to swapping out to Hard Drive virtual memory.

This stuff doesmake a difference, though not an immediately tangible one.

SSD system drive is the best all round upgrade you can make to any computer, I reckon. Doesn't change anything about Sonar's actual performance, but faster boot up, faster launching of programs and effectively the end of disk fragmentation as a performance issue are all quite tangible benefits to anyone who does a lot of work.

There's an interesting thread about SSD going on down in the computer section.

"Will I see any performance gains?"

Greetings; I got a fairly substantial increase in track count and plug-in count when i went from Win 7 x86 to Win 7 x64, on a Core 2 Quad PC (4 gigs of DDR 3 and a bunch of HHDs and DSP cards).

I believe you may see a performance increase making the same sort of move with a Core 2 Duo (for the record, i build and maintain my own PCs, but i'm not a through and through expert PC tech).

You could set up 64 bit Sonar on a newly created Win 7 installation (i.e. so that you have a dual boot system, which is easy to create with Win 7). You don't have to buy a new Win 7 serial number to do this -- you can set up your 64 bit Win 7 installation and run it for 30 days as a trial. By that point, you should have a better sense of whether it is worth fully commiting to 64 bit.

BTW have you considered going quad core (assuming your mobo can run them)? Core 2 quads are very affordable these days. Of course, depending on your personal situation, it may be worth hanging on to the money for now, and getting an i5/i7 system when you can. A couple times in the past year i was basically on my way to the computer store to buy i5 or i7 CPU and mobo, but i chickened out due to the amount of time it would take to reinstall all my audio software (more than 300 VSTs and VSTis).

Regards
Glenn

 

I also think that anyone who says they aren't getting better "performance" out of their 64 bit system probably does not use many or any RAM intensive plugs or synths (i.e. Omnisphere, etc....). Just a couple instances of Omni used to bring my 32 bit system to its knees. Now I can load em up with impunity.

Yes I was refering like with like on sub 3 Gig projects, being as I couldn't run a project over 3 Gig in XP anyway.  Extra memory capabilty always helps.

But being as I'm running an XP 32 bit and a 64 bit W7 on the same machine it is clear to see within the limitations of the 32 bit system that there is very little noticeable difference between the 2 OS's running the same project.

I reckon a lot of that is down to Noel's sublime baking ability.  He's a clever fella getting the main heart of Sonar performing so well over such a vast range of hardware and software configurations.

John T


SSDs are silent too, which is a nice fringe benefit.

As I like to say "Quiet, Cool, and Quick!"