SW2007 x 64 help

Discussion created by Guest on Oct 27, 2006
Latest reply on Dec 5, 2006 by Anna Wood

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Even with the 3 GB switch enabled?
I have noticed that my system only reports 3 GB but my VAR said that my 32 bit system will use 4 but only report 3.

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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
We're running 32bit XP/SW with 4GB RAM. Our systems can only use/report about 3.25GB of physical memory (the BIOS fully recognizes all 4GB). The reason is that 32-bit XP loads all the PCI-bus components into upper memory address spaces(video card, NIC, audio,HD controller, etc), and as 32-bit XP can only address a maximum of 4GB of physical RAM addresses, you lose the top 500mb - 1GB of address spaces to your PCI-X video cards' onboard ram, and all the other system components that tie in thru the PCI bus.

Note: This is separate from the amount of VIRTUAL memory your system can use. Virtual RAM or "swap-file" space is pretty open-ended. Set it as large as you need. My understanding is that XP will set-aside/use a separate block for each app you run. With the /3GB switch enabled, you'll get a 3072 block for each SW session you run.

To tease you, you'll find references on the web for a /PAE switch to use a "36-bit" address block, but 32-bitXP does not qualify... Windows Server 2003 32-bit can use more thru the 36-bit PAE "spoof", but to un-block the bottleneck at your desktop you'll have to go to 64-bit XP & SW.

Anyone/everyone: please feel free to correct me if I've mistated any of this.

T.Harvey
Dell 390
Intel C2D-Extreme 2.93Ghz
4GB RAM
(2) 80GB SATA HD (1 set-aside for swap-file)
Quadro FX 3500 (256mb ram)
Windows XP Pro
SW 2006 SP4.1 32-bit
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- Dan Bertschi @ Guest on Dec 4, 2006 10:33 AM
  TJH,
  Are you saying that the /3GB swith has to do with virual ram? I thought the /3GB switch limited WinXP to only taking 1GB physical ram (instead of its usual 50%). Therefore, with 4GB of physical ram, the /3GB switch gives 1GB to OS, and 3GB available for apps. Without the /3GB switch, the OS would take 2GB and leave 2GB for apps.
  This is how I interpret the explanations of it at Microsoft.com. I have used this switch with improved performance and no changes to my virtual ram.
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  - Dan Bertschi @ Dan Bertschi on Dec 4, 2006 5:26 PM
    I forgot to add that the /3GB switch is no godd in WinXPx64. I set up a dual boot system, x32 and x64, with 3GB ram. I couldn't get the /3GB switch to run, even on x32, once the x64 OS was installed. My goal was to be able to boot x32, x32+3/GB, and x64. No dice.
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    - Anna Wood @ Dan Bertschi on Dec 5, 2006 1:18 AM
      Dan,
      
      That is interesting. I run my computer with a dual boot, x32 with 3 Gb switch and x64 as the second option. No issues for me with that set-up.
      
      Regards,
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
Anna

I notice that your machine has 4Gb RAM. What advantage does running in 64bit have over 32 bit when running with this setup?

My VAR tells me that if I am limited to 4Gb (existing machines) then it is not worth switching to 64bit. Other people I have spoken to tell me otherwise, that I may see improved performance (memory access etc).

What is your experience of this?
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
That is a good reason to run a dual boot setup. Then you can test out the 64 bit install to see what your issues are before you make the leap for your whole group.

I have been running a dual boot set-up since about May. I have more issues with Adobe Acrobat and my iTunes software then any thing else.

When I need to I just drop back into 32 bit Windows and SolidWorks to get the small stuff done.

I would go for a dual boot machine and give it to one of your designers that will give you good feedback on any issues, but not go baliistic if there are some small hurdles they need to work through to get their work done.

FWIW,

Anna Wood
SW06 SP5 x64, WinXP x64
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450
WD Raptors, 1 Gb network connection
www.auerprecision.com

on 2006 30 05:35 Martin Cox wrote:
> Do not forget to check that any equipment that you have will support XP 64.
> You may be better off waiting for Windows Vista 64 as this will force manufacturers to issue new
> drivers.
> For instance, we can get no 64 bit drivers from KIP or Ricoh for our Plotters.
> Martin
> SW 2006 sp 5 (Production)
> Win XP sp2
> AMD Athlon 64 3800+
> 2gb Ram
> Nvida Quadro 1400 71.84 driver
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
If you are bumping up against the memory limits on your 32 bit system with your models/drawings, FEA or PhotoWorks; then 4Gb of RAM may be just what you need to be able to work effeciently. When you start running out of memory, systems start to slow down considerably.

Depends on what you are doing and how much system resources you are using. 99% of the time I can get by very nicely with 2 Gb of RAM. On occasion though I have a need to load a model/drawing that consumes all of the 2Gb's. This is where the 64 bit system will allow me to get my work done, by allowing me to access all of the 4Gb of RAM and more if it needs to go to a swap file.

If you are working comfortably now with 2Gb of RAM, then a 64 bit operating system may not bring you any benefits at this time.

Regards,

Anna Wood
SW06 SP5 x64, WinXP x64
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450
WD Raptors, 1 Gb network connection
www.auerprecision.com

on 2006 1 02:37 Kieran Dray wrote:
> Anna
>
> I notice that your machine has 4Gb RAM. What advantage does running in 64bit have over 32 bit when running
> with this setup?
>
> My VAR tells me that if I am limited to 4Gb (existing machines) then it is not worth switching to 64bit.
> Other people I have spoken to tell me otherwise, that I may see improved performance (memory access etc).
>
> What is your experience of this?
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
As always, Anna is spot on. w/ 3GB or less RAM, 32-bit will usually be faster, with 4GB or more, 64-bit is the way to go.
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
OK. I am currently running SW 32bit with 4Gb of RAM.

What I am hearing is that I am not actually using all 4Gb. Correct?
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
Correct, on a 32bit system you are not using all of the 4 gigs of RAM. The OS will not allow you to address all the RAM.

Regards,

Anna Wood
SW06 SP5 x64, WinXP x64
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450
WD Raptors, 1 Gb network connection
www.auerprecision.com

on 2006 1 10:11 Kieran Dray wrote:
> OK. I am currently running SW 32bit with 4Gb of RAM.
>
> What I am hearing is that I am not actually using all 4Gb. Correct?
>
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
Do not forget to check that any equipment that you have will support XP 64.
You may be better off waiting for Windows Vista 64 as this will force manufacturers to issue new drivers.
For instance, we can get no 64 bit drivers from KIP or Ricoh for our Plotters.
Martin
SW 2006 sp 5 (Production)
Win XP sp2
AMD Athlon 64 3800+
2gb Ram
Nvida Quadro 1400 71.84 driver
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
Perfect! I have checked the spec of the new machine and it looks like it comes with XP32 and XP64 installed. Problem solved.

Thanks Dale

Have you tried SW2006 x 64 just out of interest?
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
Glad I could help. I've not used the 64 bit SW yet, so I can't offer much more advice on it, other than what I've read from others.
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
I have a dilemma.

We are running 5 seats of SW2006 x 32 SP5.0. We have issues with large assemblies crashing. I have tried every trick in the book but after much consultation with my VAR it seems the only route remaining is to switch to 64 bit. I am nervous about switching to 2007 (32 or 64) at the moment.

An added complication is that we need another seat of SW. I am looking at an HP system with Xeon 5100, 8Gb RAM (to handle the large assemblies), FX1500 graphics card etc as a 'test' machine (with a view to replacing others). I would obviously need to switch to SW x 64 to take advantage of all this memory.

Should I:
A. Run the new machine on XP32 SW2006 (and not take advantake of all of the memory at the moment) and wait until next year to upgrade all machines to XP64 and SW2007 x 64?

B. Run the new machine on XP64 and SW2006 x 64 and keep existing machines on XP32 and SW2006 x 32?

C. Take the plunge and uprade all machines to XP64 and SW2007 x 64 now?

I have no idea which option I should take! We have been stung before by upgrading too early and I have no time to assess 2007 or 2007 x 64.

Any thoughts very much appreciated.
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Guest Oct 27, 2006 10:00 AM
You could set up a dual boot system 32/64 to try it out. The Sw files should be that same for either, so you could work in 64 bit with the 32 bit install as a safety net.
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SW2007 x 64 help

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