System for Media Editing. 64bit or 32bit?

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STEEL_BALL

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 17, 2007
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I have recently gotten into the hobby of video and media editing. I have been learning to use the Adobe software: Audition, Premier, Photoshop, After Effects and Flash. I also use zbrush3, and later on, I want to learn some about Maya or maybe 3dmax. My current computer specs are: E6600 Intel cpu, 2gb of ram, 8800gtx video card, and a 150gb raptor HD, XP professional.

I want to upgrade my system and I have 4 questions:

1. I want to upgrade to 4 or more gb of ram, so do I have to go to a 64bit OS to use 4gb of ram?

2.If I do switch to a 64bit OS will there be a bunch of compatibility problems when I try to run my regular games and such?

3. If I upgrade to 64bit OS, which is better XP or Vista?

4. In my media editing, will an upgrade to the new Western Digital VelociRaptor make a noticeable difference over my current Raptor HD?
 
1) Yes
2) Most of the compatability problems are gone now. Unfortunately, don't know of any up to date lists of 64bit compatible games
3) Both are good choices. However, I recommend getting Vista since it's cheaper and usually better supported than XP 64bit.
4) Definitely not worth the cash.
 
1 yes, the 8800GTX will use 765mb of that 4gb allowed. so to use the full 4gb (and with video editing you might want to go 8gb your video program might not use more then 4, but it can be allocated a full 4gb by the OS just for it) you need a 64bit. I just did the same. Also there are some 2GB video cards floating around. if you can pick up a cheap used one it can be ran in another slot (doesn't have to be 16X for this.) and can be used just for the video editing. This only works if your video editing software will make use of it.

2, I hope not or I will be pissed

3. Not a vista fan but yes, I need drivers and the new ones are only coming out in vista now. $%$^% microsoft

4. @ dollar per megabyte yes it would be faster but probably not worth it. the WD 640 can be set up in a raid 0 for less then one raptor (they are cool as hell though) @ 180 dollars for 1.280tb vs 300 for .3tb.
 
I'd go with Vista 64 bit so you can go over 4GB of ram if you need to. I wouldn't even consider XP 64 anymore. I'm surprised it's even still talked about.
 
thanks for the advice. I was worried about going with vista instead of xp, but I guess it is time for me to take the plunge.
 
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