32-bit vs 64-bit

[Anonymous]

Hi!

We just received the 2012 Product Design Suite and I've made a deployment choosing the 32-bit option. We have a pretty mixed environment with both 32-bit and 64-bit systems and I was wondering whether I should create a different deployment for users with a 64-bit system. What do you think? Is there an advantage in using the 64-bit application on a 64-bit system?

Thanks!

[sam_m]

I didn't think you could install the 32bit versions on 64bit windows...  probably wrong tho.

If you company is allowing the use of 64bit Windows it's honestly crazy not to...  With 32bit you're limited to about 2-2.5gig of memory to any application (depending on graphics card and other memory resources) but 64bit will use as much memory as possible (yeah, there's a limit, but something astranomical with todays computers).  Is there an advantage, hell yeah!  You're practically shooting yourself in the foot by sticking with 32bit.

I can understand some companies are stuck in their ways and prefer to stick to 32bit, but if you're past that obsticle then move all your cad users over to 64bit as soon as possible.  Win 7 64bit and 8Gb ram is practically the min spec for these days (and a semi-decent gaming graphics card).

[Anonymous]

Ok, thanks! The memory issue is of course a good point. I've seen Microsoft recommending their 32-bit version of Office for 64-bit systems as well, but that's comparing apples to oranges.

We're upgrading the operating systems when there is otherwise a reason to upgrade the computer. It would be nice to have the funding to upgrade all the CAD users systems, but you have to get by with what you got...

[sam_m]

completely understand it's a financial (and time) consideration, but at the end of the day it depends on the complexity of your work.

If the 32bit pcs are struggling and paging-out a lot of the time it will affect performance which in turn will affect productivity and the ROI of the pcs...

note the system requirements for complex models and large assemblies even states 64bit now:

http://usa.autodesk.com/autodesk-inventor/system-requirements/

[Anonymous]

It does say that you can't install the 32-bit version on a 64-bit system. So I guess I've got no option.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Absolutely create 64 bit installs