How much ram for 64 bit?

[supermac1]

How much ram do you need for 64 bit? I believe I read that for Vista 64 bit you needed 4 or 8gb...

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

The ram requirements for the 64 bit OS are only slightly higher than the 32 bit copy, iirc. 64 bit supports 4gb and up though, which might be whats confusing you. 32bit only supports 3.5gb, but 64 bit supports 4gb+. It doesnt need 4gb, but it can use all of it.

 

[supermac1]

The ram requirements for the 64 bit OS are only slightly higher than the 32 bit copy, iirc. 64 bit supports 4gb and up though, which might be whats confusing you. 32bit only supports 3.5gb, but 64 bit supports 4gb+. It doesnt need 4gb, but it can use all of it.

Ok, thank you. So when windows 7 comes out I should be ok with 64 bit. I have 4gb of ram. And snow leopard installs 64 bit by default right? That clears things up, thanks.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

4gb is plenty for windows 7 x64.
OSX is a bit different than windows though. It has a 32bit kernel that can run 64bit apps. Any mac app written in CoaCoa can use 4gb+, but Carbon apps are limited to 3.5gb, if i remember correctly.

Regardless, with 4gb you will be ready for anything.