32 Vs 64 bits architecture

[Algis]

Does it really worth for me to have a (probably much more) expensive dual-core 64 bits CPU knowing that I don't want to use Vista (for at least 2 more years) and that I most likely will never render over 250,000 faces in a 3D model? Beside that, my PShop limit is 2048^2 for textures and 95% of the time 512^2. I do some web development; a bit of Flash/PHP/MySQL and Delphi. For the latest set of programs; I never had problems with the speed of my actual AMD 32b/1600+ - I use now and then Skype; burn some DVD and watch simple AVI - DVDs goes to my living room player... Browsing the net and Emails; the rest like everybody I guess... No HTTP/FTP server, no LAN except DSL... The maybe only extra is two monitors; tho I think this is more VideoCard-related.

I plan to upgrade my system with new MBoard/CPU/PCI-e (RAM?) but I am not a tech-freak nor a rich fella, so I have to spend scarcely

Wouldn't it be better to invest the difference of bucks in a better PCI-e or more RAM Gigs?

What is your advice and/or experience-conclusions? Thanks for your time.

My actual config is ==>

Computer Type ACPI Uniprocessor PC
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Sempron, 1682 MHz (8 x 210)
Motherboard Name Asus K8S-MX (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset SiS 760GX, AMD Hammer
System Memory 1024 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (11/21/06)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter ATI Radeon 9550 / X1050 Series Secondary (256 MB)
Video Adapter ATI Radeon 9550 / X1050 Series (256 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9550 (RV350)
Monitor Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (0)
Monitor Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (PTS052160609)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Analog Devices AD1888 @ SiS 7012 Audio Device

Storage:
IDE Controller SiS PCI IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive ST3160023A (160 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Disk Drive ST3320820A (298 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive LITE-ON DVDRW SHW-160P6S

[Jelmer]

I've just upgraded my own system, it's quite a bit cheaper than buying an entire new computer so that might be an option! Dual core systems aren't that expensive anymore, you can get a dual core cpu for about 100 usd.

A video card is mostly useful to improve the speed of your viewports in your 3d application if you have high poly models. Ram and your CPU influence rendering speed. So I guess it depends on what you want most, but since you're not really doing any really high resolution stuff you don't need to buy a high end video card. I'd go for something in between, it depends a bit on how much you want to spent in total, don't forget about support for 2 monitors.

Most systems you buy now are 64 bit, but that doesn't mean you need Vista for that, few 3ds max users run Vista because they don 't work well together and Vista uses a lot of your system's resources as well.

I would recommend about 2gb of ram so you can render scenes well and work smoothly, ddr2 ram is really quite cheap now, about $50 for 2gb depending on the speed of it.

[greeney]

in my opinion the more you spend the more you can get out of your pc.......it all depends on how fast you work i guess.....im gettin really fast working around my pc doing this that and the other.........when i go to uni or on another pc thats slower....i get frustrated as they seem so slow lol

[Algis]

I understand speed relation to amount spent; but I just wonder if I need that speed. I dont "work" with graphic/3d models; they are an hobby. And PHP/MySQL development is more about writing, writing writing uploading testing... And if you step in the gear set; a computer is never fast enough and has never enough space... Chip companies, AMD-Intel race; Microsoft and the likes count on that to sell you more and more...

I will see what they suggest here in shops as they are probably cheaper than in Europe.

Thanks!

[MrTom]

In a word......no.

From what you've said already the work you do is not CPU intensive nor does it stretch the limits of your gfx card.

Looking at your spec and taking into account the work you do, I'd just install the max amount of RAM (which I think is 2gb for that mobo), replace the CPU with a faster one, (check heatsink is up to the job), and use a PCI-e gfx card, (If it's not already....you didn't spec if it's PCI-e or AGP)

It really does depend on what you want to do, you don't exactly say why you are thinking of changing anything.....do you find certain apps are running slow?

64bit apps need a 64bit OS which need a 64bit mobo. This allows you to install up to 64gb (I think) of RAM, and also use the SLI/Crossfire technology with more PCI-e slots.

I doubt that you need 64gb RAM, 32bit apps work just as well as 64bit and your spec suggests that you already have dual monitors anyway so It's unlikely you would benefit from the extra cash outlay.....including 64bit apps!

A faster CPU, (and poss heatsink), and more RAM would speed things up for a reasonable price. I'd only change the gfx card if the original is AGP, and you can spare the cost, otherwise I'd leave it.

A cheaper alternative is of course to just keep your system clean of any junk that may have accumulated over the months. Defrag the HDD and the registry. Remove any temp files, cookies, etc. Check for viruses and spyware/malware etc. All of these will increase performance considerably, and it maybe just be better (and cheaper) to invest in software to keep your system running smoothly.....as you don't seem to have any major hardware problem.

Regards.

[Algis]

Thanks Mr.Tom. Very clear and concise. Now I called few shops around (well -3) and what I get from there (sure they wanna sell) 32bits is just ~10.00US$ cheaper than a 64bits *if* available in stock (?). I believe the latest because they're really tech-freaks over here.

Why I want to upgrade is because this simple reason: I do 3D for fun; and I do it for a game engine (car racing) developed by ISI. Up to recently; their game engine (example F1 Challenge 99-02) was running smooth with my config. But their new version called GMotor2 (example rFactor game) is ramping under 10FPS because they have much better gfx; handle much more polies etc... In short; that's a new generation game with vector shading etc... There is an option in the command line to start the game to use dual-core; which was my primary objective; then 32/64 coming as a question. My board is said to support Athlon/Sempron and DDR400.

I do have an AGP and the MB does have PCI-e slot; but slow single speed; hence I would have to change it to upgrade my gfx system... Upgrading is always a spiral; put a foot in and you're totally wet but I knew that.

The motherboard manual specs says I could put but haven't tried and I cant find someone who did try.

I dont have much other problem; my anti-viruses / spyware etc... packages are up to date; I de-fragment time to time (at least when it suggest to).

More brainstorm :d thanks!

[RyanGalliford]

Xp Pro x64 is limited to 128 gig's of ram. Unless you are running a server you will never touch it. Of course, this will be determined by your motherboard, more or less, and again, unless you are running a server... Considering your applications, you wont see a difference in the same system configurations running in 64-bit OS vs 32-bit OS. There is, however, a massive difference in the speed between single/dual/quad.

In my opinion: unless you are going to profit from 3ds visualizations, you will likely never spend the money on the extra ram it would take to exploit x64's capability. Even more so, you may wind up limited on your software, and purchasing more to be compatible with your OS. It seems smarter to go ahead and get the ball rolling, considering that 64-bit is the new 32-bit, though. While many programs can run in a 64-bit environment, there are many that are simply not 64-bit "enabled", meaning that with a little work they can run within the 64-bit environment, but still 32-bit software in a 64-bit environment cannot utilize the memory advantages you are giving it. Think about the difference you saw when you first upgraded from 512 ram to 1gb. Now imagine what 4gb compared to 8gb+ is like, 64-bit applications in the right environment will leave your jaw dropped.

Spend your cash on a good quad core, and motherboard. 4gb of ram from new egg is $99, it cant be beat. You will be astounded at the performance improvements; I was using an AMD64 2.4ghz and 1gb ram, and have jumped the quad core band-wagon, with 8gb ram now, and my render times, not using the render farm, are 1/10th what they were, and I dont get pissed off with waiting for days for materials/shading/light cache/render/etc. But I dont play games; It's basically a cheap render workstation(compared with others on the market).

So to answer your question. You are the only one who decide the economical value of upgrading to a 64-bit environment. Right now, it seems, you may just want to upgrade some of your components until you are using 3d for profit, because new systems get expensive quick.

[Algis]

Crystal clear Thanks!

[geldslaw]

i would spend time re-examining your workflow and find improvements there

[Algis]

@geldslaw: I like the idea; but beside the modelling part; the GMotor2 is 'just' a new generation game engine. I dont play much; but I have to evaluate what I do in a working environment: for instance a model tuned with satisfying quality rendered Vs Speed on my system will look poor in quality and "too fast" for someone with a recent config; and not too cutting-edged one.

That requires a new generation PCI-e gfx => therefore new main board... and the chain start... my CPU will not fit in new board (with expectation of future upgrade, one day it will be mandatory; if not wanted); the new board will also ask for new RAM; new power supply also because PCI-e uses an external 4 pins supply (just learned that Yesterday) and possibly the new board will only support SATA and no IDE... So see my dilemma, but I have time for me at least

Thanks.