Anubis
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Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
I'm on a Pavillion laptop, Core2Duo 1.66 GHz running Vista(sp2) 32-bit. 3 GB RAM. I've had this machine(3 yrs) and have optimized it for audio to the best of my ability. I want to keep it because it has dual, internal, 7200rpm HDDs. I've got almost a terabyte of storage.
But here's the rub. I'm running into a wall with what I believe is the inherent latency of the Vista OS. I have run experiments where I progressively turn all the running tasks off, one by one. And the latency checker still spews recurring 1 ms spikes to the very end.
I was told by an IT friend that merely making the jump to Windows 7, even the 32 bit flavor, will be a significant enhancement. And may solve my problem. Is this accurate? I don't want the hassle of dealing with 64 bit compatibility with my other audio apps or with bit bridges or what not. I have all the necessary drivers to support 64-bit Win 7 on this machine and the mainboard will support 4GB RAM. But I don't wanna go there if I don't have to.
X2Studio_Win7(64)_SamsungChronos_QuNexus_QuNeo_Axiom25_Saffire24Pro_Saffire6USB_EdirolPCR300_Nocturn Amplitubes_AmpegSVX_StylusRMX_SampleTank/Tron_Komplete7_AddictiveDrums_TRacks3_Wavelab6 miTunes
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planetearth
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/06/25 19:10:43
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Windows 7 has some improvements in the way it handles audio, but unless you know exactly why you're getting the spikes, you might end up re-creating the problem once you add everything back on to the system and "tweak" it the way you like it. And the spikes may be coming from your BIOS or hardware, in which case moving to Win7 won't do you any good. Of course, you'd have to install Win7 completely "clean", and not on top of Vista. As far as the latency checker is concerned, do you actually have any problems in SONAR? The latency checker is great for diagnosing a problem, but unless you're really having problems in SONAR, I wouldn't worry too much. That's just me, of course. 
SONAR Platinum ▪ NI Komplete, Korg DLC, Arturia V5 Collection, Dimension Pro, IK Multimedia & other synths ▪ Les Paul, Peavey and Yamaha guitars. Listen to some of my stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/shadowsoflife . Comments from other SONAR users are always welcome!
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millzy
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/06/26 00:36:56
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Windows 7 will not necessarily make it any better. There may be issues with drivers or your hardware which are the cause, in which case a different operating system will not help. There is a nice thread around here somewhere about off the shelf laptops and low latency audio (written by someone who knows what he's talking about.) If you can find that it may explain a few things also.
Millzy i7 3770K, 16gb ram, Samsung EVO SSD, 2 x WD drives, RME Babyface, Win 10 (x64), Cakewalk by Bandlab, heaps of other stuff.
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Anubis
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/06/26 17:28:59
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Thanks a lot for the feedback guys. Here's the breakdown of my system specs. I was quite elated to learn that my PCIe controller is governed by a TI chipset! I If I were to get an express card -to- firewire adapter, would I get great performance considering that it's a TI chipset at the heart?
SiSoftware Sandra analysis:
System Buses
Interface Version : 2.30
PCI Bus(es) : 7
PCIe Bus(es) : 5
System Bus 0
Type : PCI
Multiplier : 1x
System Bus 1
Type : PCIe 1.00 x16 2.5Gbps
Multiplier : 3x
Bridge : Intel Mobile PM965/GM965/GL960 Express PCI Express Root Port
Device Connected to Port : HP GeForce 8600M GS
System Bus 2
Type : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
Multiplier : 3x
Bridge : Intel 82801H (ICH8) PCI Express Port 1
Device Connected to Port : Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
System Bus 4
Type : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
Multiplier : 3x
Bridge : Intel 82801H (ICH8) PCI Express Port 2
Device Connected to Port : TI PCI Express to PCI Bridge
System Bus 5
Type : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
Multiplier : 3x
Bridge : TI PCI Express to PCI Bridge
Device Connected to Port : Echo Digital Audio 56361 Audio I/O Controller (MIDI)
System Bus 8
Type : PCIe 1.00 x1 2.5Gbps
Multiplier : 3x
Bridge : Intel 82801H (ICH8) PCI Express Port 6
Device Connected to Port : HP RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC
System Bus 9
Type : PCI66
Multiplier : 1x
Bridge : Intel 82801HBM Hub Interface to PCI Bridge (ICH8M B1 step)
X2Studio_Win7(64)_SamsungChronos_QuNexus_QuNeo_Axiom25_Saffire24Pro_Saffire6USB_EdirolPCR300_Nocturn Amplitubes_AmpegSVX_StylusRMX_SampleTank/Tron_Komplete7_AddictiveDrums_TRacks3_Wavelab6 miTunes
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planetearth
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/06/26 22:33:20
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I If I were to get an express card -to- firewire adapter, would I get great performance considering that it's a TI chipset at the heart? Maybe I missed something, but I'm not sure what your point is here. Your original question was about moving to Windows 7 because of a latency issue that you haven't been able to resolve. Are you now wondering if an express card-to-Firewire adapter will improve your performance...for what? What would be connected to the Firewire adapter? You already have almost a terabyte of storage. (I'm not judging; I'm just trying to find out if I missed a point somewhere.)
SONAR Platinum ▪ NI Komplete, Korg DLC, Arturia V5 Collection, Dimension Pro, IK Multimedia & other synths ▪ Les Paul, Peavey and Yamaha guitars. Listen to some of my stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/shadowsoflife . Comments from other SONAR users are always welcome!
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Anubis
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/06/27 13:16:23
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planetearth
I If I were to get an express card -to- firewire adapter, would I get great performance considering that it's a TI chipset at the heart?
Maybe I missed something, but I'm not sure what your point is here.
...What would be connected to the Firewire adapter?
A firewire audio interface. I disabled my firewire port because it uses the Ricoh controller. Right now I have an Indigo IOx in the express card slot but the input sucks. No preamp.
X2Studio_Win7(64)_SamsungChronos_QuNexus_QuNeo_Axiom25_Saffire24Pro_Saffire6USB_EdirolPCR300_Nocturn Amplitubes_AmpegSVX_StylusRMX_SampleTank/Tron_Komplete7_AddictiveDrums_TRacks3_Wavelab6 miTunes
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planetearth
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/06/27 13:25:23
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Ah, then yes, probably. TI chip-based Firewire controllers seem to work better for people here.
But disabling your Firewire port hasn't stopped the latency issue, has it? Did you disable it in Vista or in the BIOS? (Since it's a laptop, I doubt you had the option to disable it in the BIOS, but I just want to be sure.)
SONAR Platinum ▪ NI Komplete, Korg DLC, Arturia V5 Collection, Dimension Pro, IK Multimedia & other synths ▪ Les Paul, Peavey and Yamaha guitars. Listen to some of my stuff here: https://soundcloud.com/shadowsoflife . Comments from other SONAR users are always welcome!
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Anubis
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/06/27 13:53:25
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planetearth
Ah, then yes, probably. TI chip-based Firewire controllers seem to work better for people here.
But disabling your Firewire port hasn't stopped the latency issue, has it? Did you disable it in Vista or in the BIOS? (Since it's a laptop, I doubt you had the option to disable it in the BIOS, but I just want to be sure.)
No. I can't do much in the BIOS. I've also disabled my ethernet port, modem, webcam, Ricoh x-D Picture card controller, and -of course- my internal (Realtek)sound card. Everything that I don't use is disabled in Device Manager. I just saw another post where the OP posed the same question so I chimed in there as well.
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abeyclinton
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/07/16 01:27:15
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I think you have to solve your first problem than move to another. You want to move to the Windows 7 than make sure that you are installing your Windows 7 on the clear way without any mistake. And why you want to get an express card -to- firewire adapter? I don't think so that will improve your system's performance.
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sandman5000
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/07/16 05:16:19
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go into device manager and disable Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery. that should fix the dpc latency
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martine4161
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Re:Is Windows 7(32bit) enough?
2010/07/17 09:35:34
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I think windows 7(32bit) is not enough you have to use 64bit for your laptop.The caveat section looks longer than the "DO IT" section, but really, you'll probably be just fine running 64-bit.With 64-bit, 4GB of RAM is the new minimum standard, and with 4GB, you can run tons of applications with zero slowdown.Windows 7 (and Vista for that matter) runs so beautifully with 4GB of RAM you'll wonder how you ever did with less.
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