64bit or 32bit for new desktop?

code_wiz

I am about to buy a new desktop, and am looking to spend a decent sum of money for this. My goals are: 1. To continue to develop 32-bit and 64-bit versions of my software 2. To have both these bit-architecture targeting software developed in the same machine Now, should i just go for buying a 64-bit processor based desktop, and install the 64-bit OS and the 32-bit OS installed in the machine and have a dual boot setup, so that i can boot into 32-bit OS and build my 32-bit software, and then boot into 64-bit OS and build my 64-bit version of my software? Also is VS 2008, 64-bit development capable? Or should i simply buy a 32-bit processor based desktop? Thanks.

AspDotNetDev

Disclaimer: I have no experience in this; I'm presenting only theory.

I recommend going with 64-bit Windows 7. In theory, you can then create a 32-bit virtual machine of, say, Windows XP. In fact, if you get a high enough version of Windows 7, I comes with something called "XP Mode" (do some Google searches on that). Not sure if that "XP Mode" can be in 32-bit though if the main install is 64-bit... you'll have to look into that. That should give the the most flexibility.

Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.

Rocky Moore

Since most systems of any power are now 64 bit, that kind of settles it. I have been running 64-bit since the last beta of Vista 64 bit. While there are not a lot of 64 bit apps and people whine around about issues, they are coming and most things will probably end up in 64 bit. Windows Vista 64 and Windows 7 64 both ship with IE 32 bit and IE 64 bit. The 64 bit version does not handle Flash or other types of extentions, but the 64 bit version is much faster and comes up almost instantly. While trivial, I think it is an example of what is to come. Microsoft is moving most of their server software to 64 bit only. This will mean that if you plan to test on the same machine you develop, you may have to have a 64 system before long. I really do not see any downside to having 64 bit and running a 64 bit OS as long as the hardware is compatible and if you are buying new hardware it probably is.

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Lost User

I went to Proffesional 64 bit. The only downside is some specialist devices don't have 64 bit drivers yet but my Epson printer, display drivers are fine.

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Lost User

Some of my Really Old Crap doesn't work anymore (applications that contain 16bit components or 32bit drivers with no 64bit alternative) VS 2008 works perfectly, but keep in mind that Edit & Continue doesn't work in 64bit mode (but you can set it to 32bit if you want) Also, there are no 32bit processors. There are 64bit processors which your OS refuses to bump into long mode, because the OS is 32bit. (ok there are a few exceptions with ultra low end mobile processors)

code_wiz

Thanks all. So how do I produce a 32-bit software when i build in 64-bit (processor + OS) environment? Or do i have to boot into a 32-bit OS (dual boot) just to build the project, producing a native 32-bit software. Cheers.

Gary R Wheeler

VS2008 fully supports 64-bit development, both for AMD and IA64. Note that this is only a concern for native-mode development (C++), since .NET is largely agnostic to CPU 'bit-ness'.

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Lost User

It produces 32bit software by default, you have to poke around in the project build settings a bit to set the build target to AMD64

realJSOP

I'm not entirely sure you can still buy a 32-bit CPU. Even if you could, the choice of motherboards would be pretty slim. Just install a 32-bit OS and you'll be fine if that's the direction you want to go.

.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
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Anthony Mushrow

I don't think you need to do anything special. I'm on 64-bit and in visual studio 2008 by default it will be compiling 32-bit applications so you shouldn't have any problems there. I've yet to go and find out how to create 64-bit versions myself, but I imaging it's just a few settings here and there. One problem I have noticed is that when debugging a 32-bit application, in some situations visual studio will not trigger a breakpoint for some exceptions like Access Violation - it will say "First chance exception...." in the output window but other than that the thing will carry on, and usually lock up a little later in one of the windows DLL's. If anybody knows anything about that I'd appreciate any help.

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Mycroft Holmes

Warning - if you are installing SQL Server on your dev machine, do it FIRST, before VS. I am now trying to manually uninstall VS just to get SQL Server installed.

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Luc Pattyn

Netbooks. Most Intel Atoms[^] are 32-bit. :)

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realJSOP

He's talking about building a system, not buying a souped-up two-slice toaster.

.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
-----
"The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001

modified on Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:09 AM

Lost User · modified on Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:09 AM

Hmm... toast. I don't care what it does to the battery life.

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The Man from U N C L E

I tried 64 bit XP a while back. Having a Sharp printer I tried to print. Everthing else was great. Faster better more reliable, but I had to downgrade to 32bit because Sharp just don't do a 64 bit driver for my printer and when I contacted them said they never will. Bit of an issue when you can't print. But most newer printers come with 64bit drivers I guess.

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peterchen

Windows 7 64 Bit Pro or Ultimate + XP Mode

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CaptainSeeSharp · modified on Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:09 AM

John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:

.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly

What do you think of the 10mm?

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RichardM1

I have an XP64 quad AMD system with 8 GB. I run the main system as 64 bit, and, for developement, I run a number of XP 32 bit systems for testing and, sometimes, development. I have a dedicated oracle server VM, IIS server VM and the application client box VM. I am able to run them all without impacting each other. I use MS VPC, but I am not so sure it is better than Sun's Virtual Box. I have not used VMWare. VPC does not allow sharing USB, and VBox does. I don't know about VMWare. If you have not used VMs, they are amazingly easy to setup and operate, provide excellent isolation from each other, both for software isolation and CPU load isolation. The only issue is that, for both VPC and VBox, they only use one CPU (at least in the versions I have). VS2008 can built 64 bit apps, but is not true 64 bit itself. Whether it builds 32 or 64 bit apps is dependent on the project settings, not the machine it is running on. You can build 32 on a 64 machine and vice versa.

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RichardM1

Not as good as 12.7, but guns based on it are kind of unwieldy for in home us, not to mention over-penetration. Complaints from the neighbors 4 blocks over, in a dense townhouse development. I'm .357 and 9mm myself, but that has as much to do with sunk cost and inherited firearms as anything else.

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Rob Graham

VMWare workstation supports USB switching (can select either guest or host, very nice). VMWare supports up to 2 processors per VM.