32bit server w/64bit workstations

Discussion created by Robbie Henning on Sep 8, 2008
Latest reply on Sep 9, 2008 by Anna Wood

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We are in the process of buy 3 new machines. We do alot of castings which we then derive the machined part from. Assemblies are generally small but the castings can get pretty complex with lots of varialble fillets, shapes and 3d lettering. We also create coreboxes from the model geometry.

Would 64bit benefit us? And if so, would there be any issues in having 64bit machines accessing data off a 32bit server (Windows 2003)?

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Steve Prodger Sep 9, 2008 1:01 PM
64bit will serve you the benefit of having more RAM, up to 8GB running a Core2. For what you described it might help somewhat but you will benefit more from a fast CPU and a decent graphics card. It certainly wouldnt hurt to go 64bit thats for sure but depending on your budget you would do just fine in 32bit with the fastest Core2 Duo you can get, 4GB RAM and a good Quadro/FireGL graphics card. But if your budget allows for it I would jump to 64bit to allow for increased RAM in the event you ever need it.

We run all of our workstations 64bit and our data and license server is 32bit running 2003. It works very well for us.
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- Anna Wood @ Steve Prodger on Sep 9, 2008 2:19 PM
  As Steve alludes to...
  
  64 bit = increased memory allocation
  CPU = speed
  
  If you are looking for speed, get the fastest Core 2 Duo, Core i7 processor you can afford. Then a good video card Quadro or FireGL. After that look at the amount of RAM in your system. 4 gigs is pretty standard these days.
  
  If you are very consistantly getting out of memory errors on an x32 system with 4 gigs of RAM then you want to be looking at Vista x64 with 8 gigs or more of RAM.
  
  If you do a lot of rendering in PhotoWorks and/or FEA analysis then you want to be looking at a quad core system. Again the fastest processor you can afford.
  
  Don't try to spec a system that you think will last for more than about 2 years. You will spend way to much money and still have an outdated system in 2-3 years.
  
  We also try to upgrade our engineering workstations at the beginning of a new architecture/technology cycle for the release of new CPU's from Intel. We are waiting until the end of this year or a bit longer for Intel to release their new Core i7 line of CPU's. This will get us in on the front end of the next performance boost from new hardware.
  
  Cheers,
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32bit server w/64bit workstations

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