Best choice for laptop (x86 vs x64)?

[mercellus]

Hi all,

I just recently purchased a new laptop with the following specs:

- Core 2 Duo T6600 2.2GHz CPU
- 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM
- 320GB SATA drive
- DVD/RW drive
- ATI Radeon HD 3450

It shipped with 32-bit Home Premium, but I was thinking about using 64-bit. I use Photoshop CS3, MS Office, the usual apps really.

- Will there be any performance increases with x64?
- Will there be more power usage with x64?
- Could the machine be slower due to Macro-Op Fusion being disabled in EM64T mode?

All of apps I have will work on x64, but which one is more efficient for my notebook?

Thanks for your help

 

[Tepid]

Well,, generally, 64-bit is the way to go, so long as all your progs will work with it.

I don't know about the EM64T thing.

if CS3 has a 64bit version, you would be better off getting it for 64bit OS.

The only real limitation to using 64bit is software compatibility.

Win7 should be 64bit ONLY, in my opinion.

 

[smarteyeball]

Have a look through this thread to get a better idea of whether it will benefit you or not:

http://www.vistax64.com/vista-news/99613-64-bit-more-than-just-ram.html

 

[mercellus]

Read through all the different articles and stuff but I still can't seem to come to a decision, any other thoughts on what would be best for this spec?

 

[lordbob75]

Read through all the different articles and stuff but I still can't seem to come to a decision, any other thoughts on what would be best for this spec?

Look at it this way:
You have a x86 system, and decide you need more RAM, so you put in another, say, 2 gigs. Now you have, say, 4 gigs. Whoops. Your x86 OS can't use it all. If you had the x64, you would be set.

So even if you don't need some of the other advantages, it is still worth it, especially should you decide to add some RAM to your rig.

Also, your processor is x64. So there is no good reason to NOT get x64.

~Lordbob

 

[merkat106]

Need to add more RAM if going to x64. Even 4 GB may not be enough with Adobe software. Believe me, I know.