Time to run my Mac Pro in 64-bit?

netdog · Nov 1, 2010, 06:42 AM

Early 2008 Mac Pro - 8GB of RAM

I never saw a reason to run in 64-bit mode before, but I went to download Handbrake this morning and found a 64-bit version.

For those who know, at this point is it time to make the shift? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

I don't really run Pro Apps anymore (I used to). Aperture once in a while. Mostly iPhoto. I get that most of my apps aren't 64-bit, but is there any reason not to shift my machine/kernel to 64-bit now? Has the time come?

foidulus · Nov 1, 2010, 07:00 AM

You won't really see a huge difference either way. If most of the apps you run are 64 bit then the 64 bit kernel will be *slightly* faster(the processor doesn't have to do as much switching between 64 bit and 32 bit modes), but probably nothing all that noticeable.

Unfortunately Apple has really fallen behind the power curve on their 64 bit transition, largely because they *STILL* haven't created a real 64-bit Quicktime API, they said they weren't going to port the existing Quicktime API to 64 bit but the API they offered in it's place, QTKit, has *maybe* 10% of the functionality of the current Quicktime API(for example you cannot actually do any effects in 64 bit). And even the stuff that you can do with the API actually gets executed on a separate 32 bit process. Apple really should be embarrassed by that API.

300D · Nov 1, 2010, 08:05 AM

It should be 64bit from day 1.

cutterman · Nov 1, 2010, 08:10 AM

The first few paragraphs of this article may help answer your question.

SandboxGeneral · Nov 1, 2010, 08:15 AM

I've heard of folks that force their kernel in 64 bit mode actually see a decrease in performance. I don't know how true it is though. I just leave my in the default 32 bit mode. Everything runs fine for me like that.

I'll wait on Apple to make the kernel 64 bit mode default.

netdog · Nov 1, 2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutterman

The first few paragraphs of this article may help answer your question.

Thanks for that.

It looks like the answer is "no" for me.

Infrared · Nov 1, 2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandboxGeneral

I've heard of folks that force their kernel in 64 bit mode actually see a decrease in performance.

It seems snappy enough on this 2008 Mac Pro :-)

The 64-bit kernel has been running on this machine for 12 months now.

hoopster · Nov 1, 2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netdog

Early 2008 Mac Pro - 8GB of RAM

but I went to download Handbrake this morning and found a 64-bit version.

You do know that you can run 64 bit apps in 32 bit mode right?

netdog · Nov 1, 2010, 09:59 AM

I do now

macz1 · Nov 2, 2010, 03:23 AM

It depends on the applications you are using. If none of them has problems running on the 64bit kernel, there is nothing which speaks against it. Apples decision to default it on new macs shows that its not just an immature experimental feature.

I have switched to 64 bit kernel six months ago (2008 MP) and didn't run into any issue.

macz1 · Nov 2, 2010, 03:27 AM

another remark: Do not overestimate the advantage of 64 bit. Of course there are some isolated cases which profit a lot from it, but in general, the speed difference wont be really noticeable, as long as there are still many 32bit apps.

Nov 1, 2010, 06:42 AM	#1
netdog macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London	Time to run my Mac Pro in 64-bit? Early 2008 Mac Pro - 8GB of RAM I never saw a reason to run in 64-bit mode before, but I went to download Handbrake this morning and found a 64-bit version. For those who know, at this point is it time to make the shift? What are the advantages and disadvantages? I don't really run Pro Apps anymore (I used to). Aperture once in a while. Mostly iPhoto. I get that most of my apps aren't 64-bit, but is there any reason not to shift my machine/kernel to 64-bit now? Has the time come? __________________ We don't see the world as it is. We see it as we are. -Anais Nin Classical Homeopath and Naturopathic Doctor in London
	0

Nov 1, 2010, 08:15 AM	#5
SandboxGeneral Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The New World	I've heard of folks that force their kernel in 64 bit mode actually see a decrease in performance. I don't know how true it is though. I just leave my in the default 32 bit mode. Everything runs fine for me like that. I'll wait on Apple to make the kernel 64 bit mode default. __________________ Twitter \| Website \| ♫ Free iTunes Music ♫ *Random Access Memories* ~ daft punk
	0

Nov 1, 2010, 09:59 AM	#9
netdog Thread Starter macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London	I do now __________________ We don't see the world as it is. We see it as we are. -Anais Nin Classical Homeopath and Naturopathic Doctor in London
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Problems with Radeon 5870 on my Mac Pro using Boot Camp	uelef	Mac Pro	9	Jul 14, 2012 12:55 PM
Graphic card problem of my Mac Pro	Leslie.Hon	Mac Pro	8	Dec 21, 2011 01:28 PM
Upgraded my mac pro running server 10.6 to lion server..	wfarr08	Mac Pro	14	Sep 9, 2011 12:54 PM
Do I need to run my mac in 64 Bit Mode?	JamesGorman	MacBook Pro	6	Jun 4, 2011 03:52 PM
My Mac Pro doesn't want to get out of bed in the morning	MotleyPete	Mac Pro	5	Nov 25, 2010 11:08 AM

Nov 1, 2010, 07:00 AM	#2
foidulus macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2007	You won't really see a huge difference either way. If most of the apps you run are 64 bit then the 64 bit kernel will be slightly faster(the processor doesn't have to do as much switching between 64 bit and 32 bit modes), but probably nothing all that noticeable. Unfortunately Apple has really fallen behind the power curve on their 64 bit transition, largely because they STILL haven't created a real 64-bit Quicktime API, they said they weren't going to port the existing Quicktime API to 64 bit but the API they offered in it's place, QTKit, has maybe 10% of the functionality of the current Quicktime API(for example you cannot actually do any effects in 64 bit). And even the stuff that you can do with the API actually gets executed on a separate 32 bit process. Apple really should be embarrassed by that API.
	0

Nov 1, 2010, 08:05 AM	#3
300D Banned Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa	It should be 64bit from day 1.
	0

Nov 1, 2010, 08:10 AM	#4
cutterman macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2010	The first few paragraphs of this article may help answer your question.
	0

Nov 2, 2010, 03:23 AM	#10
macz1 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2007	It depends on the applications you are using. If none of them has problems running on the 64bit kernel, there is nothing which speaks against it. Apples decision to default it on new macs shows that its not just an immature experimental feature. I have switched to 64 bit kernel six months ago (2008 MP) and didn't run into any issue.
	0

Nov 2, 2010, 03:27 AM	#11
macz1 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2007	another remark: Do not overestimate the advantage of 64 bit. Of course there are some isolated cases which profit a lot from it, but in general, the speed difference wont be really noticeable, as long as there are still many 32bit apps.
	0