I'm upgrading my DAW from Windows XP to Windows 7.  I was thinking of upgrading to the 64 bit version, well, why not, I thought.  Then after looking at these (and other) forums and seeing issues with VSTs, bit bridge, and hardware drivers it made me pause.  I had simply assumed that 64 bit must be more future-proof but I'm now wondering, what advantages would an all-64 bit environment bring me?  I don't use a lot of memory-hungry samplers and the 3GB I presently have is fine.  It seems I have some choices:
 
(1) Upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit but install Sonar 32 bit.  Advantage: no hassles with incompatible plugins, and I can reinstall Sonar 64 bit later if I want.   Any disadvantages though?
(2) Upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit and install Sonar 64 bit.  Advantage: more future proof than (1).  Disadvantage: possible hassles with some plugins.
(3) Upgrade to Windows 7 32 bit and Sonar 32 bit.  Big disadvantage: upgrading Windows 7 from 32 to 64 bit in the future could be a monumental task?
 
Any help would be appreciated?
John
 

I would not recommend upgrading to win7 32bit.  there's no advantage to that at all.  upgrade to win7x64 and you can install BOTH the 32bit and 64bit versions of Sonar on your machine.  then if you have problems with the 64bit version you can always run sonar 32bit on your 64bit OS.

Thanks Beagle!

64 bit goes to eleven...that's one louder innit?

yep! Listen to Beagle!

aye, no disadvantages to win 7 x64. it is soooooooooo much better than xp, assuming you have a modern PC.

Beagle is correct.  (give yourself a treat, dude!) I have 8.5 32 bit on my new machine just in case. Aside from the can't-open-Sound-Forge-from-tool-menu-in 8.5 64 problem, I'm good. The only potential issue I've found is that, once you open a project in 64 bit, it won't open in 32 bit any more. For me, at least.

Skyline_UK

...I don't use a lot of memory-hungry samplers and the 3GB I presently have is fine.....
 

John
 

The above criteria is the key when deciding between 32 and 64 bit.  If you were using say, Omnisphere or  Kontakt, then you'd likely find 3-4 GB to be limiting. 

But there's no need to choose for that reason, as Beagle explained; 64 bit will handle 32 bit apps, and won't hold you back later.  

(I had to edit this from my initial reply... I must have been tired when I wrote it, since it made no sense -- to the point where I even contradicted myself! ).

mgh


aye, no disadvantages to win 7 x64. it is soooooooooo much better than xp, assuming you have a modern PC.

Yes, no brainier X64..

32 bit and 64 bit is the size of the data bus who is transferring the data in computer. And when you using the windows 7 with 64 bit processor then it will because the super computer. ANd if you are using the sonar on 32 bit and 64 bit then some time it will causes the problem with the 64 bit.