Another quick computer question.

[Mariano]

Hi everyone,

Performance-wise, would running FS9 and FSX in Windows XP x64 be faster (better performance) than running them in Windows XP 32?
I understand that since FS9 and FSX are 32-bit applications, running them on a x64 OS doesn't make any difference. Am I right?

Thanks again,

Mariano
PS: Will PSX run in XP x64?

[Hardy Heinlin]

Hi Mariano,

I don't about 64 bit on XP, but 64 bit on Mac OSX Snow Leopard runs great with PSX.


Ahoi,

|-|ardy

[Mariano]

Thanks Hardy. I am thinking of going to XP 32 on my desktop machine in order to make sure PSX will run on it. Don't want to leave anything to chance when it comes to PSX ;-)

Mariano

[Holger Wende]

Hi Mariano,

In a German magazine I read about this performance question a few month ago.
You are right, a 64bit OS does not necessarily improve compute performance (it allows to access larger memory).

E.g. Vista64 might even bring disadvantages for virtual pilots:
Its security system allows installation of certified drivers only. This might complicate (or even prohibit) usage of older devices. Additionally installation of some (old) add-on SW may fail.
Vista64 also does not have the 16bit legacy subsystem included which is required to execute old DOS and Windows applications in WinXP and Vista32. Such "nostalgic" 16bit applications cannot be executed in native Vista64.

At work I have seen lots of commercial SW tools that offer options to run in 32bit mode or alternatively in 64bit mode (all on 64bit kernels with RedHat Linux 3 and 4 installed). Several of these applications run faster in 32bit mode than in 64bit mode. We typically use the 64bit mode only when memory consumption requires 64bit. But I do not know reasons or details for this behaviour.

Regards, Holger

Edit:
If you want to run FS9 you should really verify whether FS9 and all its add-ons can be installed and run on XP64, before you buy the machine!

[Zinger]

I've been running both FS versions on Vista 64 and Windows 7 64 without problem. There is a mode for running older programs (right click then select troubleshoot) if they fail to run normally. The only problem I've encountered is 16 bit installers.

[Mariano]

Thank you for your input guys.

I've been running both FS version under XP x64 for a few years now. Some installers are not compatible, but basically everything was stable. About a month ago, the machine crashed (badly.) It seemed to be related to some drivers/hardware issue. Since I had to re-install Windows, I decided to format the drive and go with XP 32 this time, just to make sure it is ready for PSX. Re-installing FS9, FSX, and all the add-ons (99% of them scenery) will take me a long, long time. I have everything backed up, but I knew this day would come. Everyone fears the day that FS9 and FSX need to be re-installed. That is why I love PS1.3; I still fly it with only one add-on (MCDU in PS mode) and the default visuals. Still can't get enough of it.

Mariano

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

Although nobody should take this as a claim that PSX will work everywhere, I have reasons to believe that PSX will work if one of these works on your machine.


Jeroen