64bit v 32bit Windows 7 for music servers

[Dennis Graves]

Is there any advantage to installing 64 bit Windows 7 for use in a music server application?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Dennis - It depends. Most music server applications are only 32-bit.

 

If you want to use memory greater than 4GB you'll want the 64-bit version.

 

[cpuma]

Hi Dennis,

 

I bought a new laptop running Windows 7 64bit. I was unable to set "Windows Audio Session" (it is greyed out)under Quicktime Preferences - Audio. I had used this setting under 32 bit Windows XP and it has a large positive impact on the sound quality. As far as I know this issue has not been resolved in Windows 7 64 bit so I would stay with 32 bit unless you can confirm that "Windows Audio Session" will work.

 

 

Good Luck,

 

Charlie Puma

 

[firedog]

Unless you know of and want a specific program written specifically for running on 64 bit, you won't get any actual advantage.

 

The extra memory won't really help you either, if you're just running a music server. It's mainly helpful for multitasking and/or editing very large photos or video files - not something music servers are usually optimized for.

 

In fact, there are still a few programs and lots of hardware drivers that aren't written for 64 bits. Most (not all) programs will run on 64 bit Windows; but there is still quite a bit of hardware without 64 bit drivers. True even for some new stuff, especially true for anything more than a year or two old.

 

[PeterSt]

Before you are sorry (installing the wrong OS), there are quite some advantages with 64 bit over 32, and not any disadvantage that *I* heard of (and I sure would have heard even a single complaint or downside from users if there were). But, I guess this may depend on the playback software hence drivers that the software allows to use (just guessing here).

 

At using a memory player you sure can use the extra memory.

 

When using a RAMDisk, you will scream for more memory.

 

Ok, not *that* many advantages, but sufficiently enough to be sorry if you don't have it.

 

And go Vista. It sounds way better (max mem with 32 bits is 3GB).

 

Peter

 

PS: Before anyone comes up with it : RAMDisks exist which install in memory outside the OS official memory, but I don't think these are free.

 

[Miska]

There are some advantages of 64-bit:

 

1) 64-bit applications can access address spaces larger than 4 GB

2) Operating system can access RAM larger than 2-3 GB without slowdown

3) It doubles the number and size of registers available for programs and thus allows increased speed

 

Modern x86 CPUs can access physical memory larger than 4 GB even in 32-bit mode, but with slowdown due to required remapping. This feature is called PAE[1]

 

 

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension

 

[Dennis Graves]

Yes, these are generally advantages of 64 bit. BUT, do they translate to improved sound????

 

[Miska]

Yes, these are generally advantages of 64 bit. BUT, do they translate to improved sound?

 

Not necessarily, but it gives more possibilities on trying to achieve it and removes a bunch of obstacles. At least there shouldn't be any harm caused by using 64-bit.

 

 

[SeeHear]

Are you logged in as a computer admin? That, or maybe the audio device in your new machine doesn't support that setting.

 

[cpuma]

I am reading that Apple does not support WASAPI in 64 bit versions of Windows. Here is a link to an Apple forum.

 

 

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12697259

 

Is there anyone out there that has found otherwise

 

 

I bought a new laptop that runs 64 bit Windows 7. I connect that through USB to a DAC. The sound was noticably worse than under Windows Vista 32 bit. I attributed that to not being able to set Windows Audio session option in Quicktime. I switched back to my old laptop and all was fine. By the way if I turn off the Windows Audio session option in Vista 32 bit it also sounds worse.

 

I want to buy a new computer and everything (non-MAC anyway) now comes with Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[firedog]

No, not all systems come with 64bit. Find a vendor that will let you choose which version of Windows OS you want to install.

 

[cpuma]

Yes. You can order the 32 bit version of Windows 7. I was thinking that would be a waste of the 6-8 GB of RAM that is becoming standard on higher-end machines. I could also drop the RAM down to 4GB and save some money.

 

[firedog]

If it is for a music server and not an all around machine. My server has only 2GB and it is fine. No Problems

 

[cpuma]

I just downloaded the latest version of Quicktime (7.6.9) under Windows 7 64 bit and the Windows Audio Session option is available under Edit > Preferences > Quicktime Preferences > Audio > Play Audio Using

 

I can finally abandon Vista.

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Abandoning Vista is a good thing :~)

 

I'll do some testing for bit transparency using Windows Audio Session via Quicktime 7.6.9

 

[dglozic]

I chose the WAS option in Quicktime but I don't see (hear) any difference in iTunes and I have noticed that I can still manipulate volume control. In addition, I can hear other sounds (e.g. Windows sounds) while it plays - iTunes does not seem to run Exclusive mode.

 

BTW, this is using Windows 7 64bit edition.