Viable OS for DAW use: Vista x64 or XP x64?

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PathosLogos
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2008/11/28 19:32:03 (permalink)

Viable OS for DAW use: Vista x64 or XP x64?

Is Windows XP x64 still a "viable" OS for DAW purpose? Or is it just better to go for Vista x64 instead?

I'm thinking of shifting OS from Windows XP x86 to take advantage of being able to use more memory and whatever bit of improvement a 64-bit environment would offer for purposes of DAW-usage...

I thought I'd ask for any input, suggestion or even advice based on personal experience regarding using 64-bit OS before I put in hard-earned money to buy another OS...not that I have any problems with my current OS but it's just that I would want to utilize the 64-bit capability of my processor...I'm thinking its getting a bit complacent by the day since its been crunching only 32-bit apps


Pentium D 925 3GHz dual-core , MSI P31 Neo v2, 4GB DDR2 800, ATI X1650 Pro 512mb, Audiophile 2496, Seagate SATA HDDs (80, 80, 320, 500), Antec 430w PSU, Behringer UMX61, Casio Privia PX-320, Emu Xmidi 2x2, Pearl Drum set (acoustic), Carlsbro mixer
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    foxwolfen
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    RE: Viable OS for DAW use: Vista x64 or XP x64? 2008/11/29 11:16:36 (permalink)
    If you need to go 64 (32 is still better supported) then Vista is what I recommend. Its soon to be 2 years old and the OS is now pretty much in equal shape as XP and should continue to improve.

    Cheers
    Shad

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    JonD
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    RE: Viable OS for DAW use: Vista x64 or XP x64? 2008/11/29 14:40:56 (permalink)
    I think most folks here would recommend Vista64 over XP64, if for no other reason than developer support (XP64 is pretty much dead on that front).

    Re: compatibility, assuming you upgrade your system, that still leaves your sound card...M-Audio only recently released 64 bit drivers in a public beta. So you'd have to take a chance there or get a different sound card as well.

    For your situation, I'd say the best solution would be to upgrade your system to a dual-boot (XP32orVista32/Vista64) and gradually test the 64bit side until you're sure it's gonna work for you.


    JD




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    PathosLogos
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    RE: Viable OS for DAW use: Vista x64 or XP x64? 2008/12/04 04:35:57 (permalink)
    Thanks for the suggestions, both of you...

    Regarding the M-Audio Vista drivers for the "Delta series" (including the Audiophile 192 and 2496)...as far as I know, they've only released a Vista 32-bit driver version.

    There isn't any Vista 64-bit driver release yet for the Delta/Audiophile cards. At least, that's what the Vista 64-bit driver status indicates here:

    M-AUDIO Delta/Audiophile Series Vista 64-bit status

    Based on that link, M-audio's Vista 64-bit driver for the Delta series have remained under "private beta" stage of development for quite some time already. Hopefully, they make it a public beta release before the year 2008 ends. Otherwise, I'm thinking of getting another audio-interface card and am considering E-MU as alternative.

    I've been wanting to try out 64-bit OS and take advantage of using memory beyond 3GB (I'm still using XP 32-bit so the 4GB RAM I currently have installed is not entirely used by Windows...only 2.5-3 GB max...the remaining 1GB is untapped/unused, I guess).
    post edited by PathosLogos - 2008/12/04 04:38:34

    Pentium D 925 3GHz dual-core , MSI P31 Neo v2, 4GB DDR2 800, ATI X1650 Pro 512mb, Audiophile 2496, Seagate SATA HDDs (80, 80, 320, 500), Antec 430w PSU, Behringer UMX61, Casio Privia PX-320, Emu Xmidi 2x2, Pearl Drum set (acoustic), Carlsbro mixer
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    pistolpete
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    RE: Viable OS for DAW use: Vista x64 or XP x64? 2008/12/04 14:56:06 (permalink)
    It's too bad there aren't many (if any) Linux options. The OS overhead is so much lower than a Windows platform.
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    PathosLogos
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    RE: Viable OS for DAW use: Vista x64 or XP x64? 2008/12/12 06:02:20 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: pistolpete

    It's too bad there aren't many (if any) Linux options. The OS overhead is so much lower than a Windows platform.


    It'll probably be good if hardware manufacturers (for both PC components and audio-MIDI interface devices) would make more drivers optimized for the more common/popular Linux Distros (e.g. Ubuntu, Fedora etc.) and if a lot of major music apps/software will support certain Linux distros as well. If, by some miracle, software and hardware manufacturers would begin to provide Linux drivers or offer more Linux-compatible software products geared for music applications then we're looking into a possible good DAW PC when combined with good hardware, drivers and the low OS overhead that Linux offers.

    Pentium D 925 3GHz dual-core , MSI P31 Neo v2, 4GB DDR2 800, ATI X1650 Pro 512mb, Audiophile 2496, Seagate SATA HDDs (80, 80, 320, 500), Antec 430w PSU, Behringer UMX61, Casio Privia PX-320, Emu Xmidi 2x2, Pearl Drum set (acoustic), Carlsbro mixer
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