I often have inquiries about the best computer to buy to run our software. A related issue is the maximum block of memory that can be allocated to a single task. This is a particularly vexing issue that I discussed in a previous article. With accumulating patches and security fixes, 32-bit Windows-XP has devolved to a state where it won’t allocate more than 1.2 GB to a single task, independent of the installed memory. This limit is constricting for the 3D AMaze programs and any technical software with extensive RAM requirements.
Fortunately, a economical solution is at hand. Most new computers have come with 64-bit processors for a year or two, and we are on the cusp of a shift to 64-bit operating systems. We have tested 64-bit compilations of our programs under both XP64 and Vista64 with the following results:
- They are completely compatible.
- They can address the full installed memory of the machines.
I recently purchased an HP desktop computer for one of our offices. Although the price was only about $900 (u.s.), it is close to ideal for large technical computations:
- The system has a dual-core Intel processor with a respectable clock speed of 3.1 GHz and 4 GB of memory.
- A few months ago, Microsoft was adding a premium of over $100 for 64-bit Vista. Now they are so eager to push the system, you can get the 64-bit operating system at no extra charge.
- My experience is that Vista works as well as XP when you turn off the geegaws. The only difference is that the coasting operating system consumes about twice as much memory (~1 GB). Hard to imagine what it’s doing. Nonetheless, with 4.0 GB physical memory and 6.9 GB of virtual memory, the loss is not critical.
- The major drawback of an HP computer is that you will have to spend about a half hour removing the junkware. Not too bad, except for the HP Games where you have to individually check 31 boxes to confirm that you are not an adolescent.
I am recommending that customers who are purchasing a computer get a 64-bit operating system. We are giving free 64-bit updates to users who have purchased a new software package or an update in the last two years. On new purchases, you can download both the 32 and 64-bit programs during the transition period.