SW2009 SP2.0 x64 & x32 Systems 2

[macduff]

We're moving to SW2009 SP2.0 in a couple of weeks and was wondering if x64 and x32 play well together? All our workstations are not setup for x64 bit and wonder if I can mix and match? I want the power users to be x64 and the remainder to be at x32 since there harware can't support it.

Thanks,

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[GRF]

Files can be traded back and forth with no problem. We have a similar situation where I work.

 

[macduff]

GRF, a star for you for the quick reply. One more question; did you see a big performance with the x64 bit system? Us power users work on rather large assemblies.

Best,

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[ZGuy]

Hi Colin,

I've always found, in the other programs I run, that a 64 bit version of a program on a 64 bit OS is faster than the 32 bit on a 32bit OS or the 32 bit on a 64 bit OS.

Also, with the 64 bit OS you get around the memory address problems and can actually put 8 or 16GB or RAM in a system and this makes a huge difference when the assemblies get real large.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[macduff]

ZGuy, a star for you too! You folks are good today, and giving me some great info!

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[GRF]

As far as speed is concerned I have not noticed any difference. When it comes to launching the program or processing delay there is no difference. I notice the difference when I run simulations I do not crash because of memory problems. I went from 4GB (only 3GB recognized because of a windows limitation) to 8GB and I have not run out of memory yet, came close one simulation was using 7GB. But I also went from a 32bit 2 dual core processer mid tower workstation to a 64bit single dual core2 processor laptop.

Our VAR actually did some testing a year or two ago with identical systems from Dell one 32bit 1 64bit and they did not see any difference. I am not sure how scientific their testing was or if it was more of a feeling from their tech guys.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

x64 systems are not inherently faster than x32 systems. They just allow use of more RAM.

Although in some cases having more RAM may allow a process to complete without needing VM, and not having to use VM would speed things up.