Should I run Logic in 32 or 64 bit?

[nsmadsen]

Hey guys,

 

Probably an elementary question here but: should I be running Logic (or OSX for that matter) in 64-bit? I've just upgraded my RAM to 16 gigs of DDR3. The way I understand it is that some applications will run in 64 bit regardless if your OS is. When I open up my Activity Monitor Logic didn't show up as either 32 or 64 bit. When loading up Logic the splash screen shows it as 32-bit.

 

Like many here, I run large sessions usually with plenty of AU plug-ins, video and virtual instruments. I want to get the most out of the new RAM I have - so what's the skinny?

 

Thanks!

 

Nate

[Kent Sandvik]

Yes, in your case I would run Logic in 64-bit mode, due to lots of plug-in usage and plenty of installed memory it would be the default starting point.

 

If you are worried about a performance hit concerning bigger memory pointers, it's tiny-tiny and the benefits of having less VM traffic bypasses any such concerns.

[nsmadsen]

Should I just run Logic in 64 bit mode, or the OS as well?

 

Thanks!

 

Nate

[Eriksimon]

Should I just run Logic in 64 bit mode, or the OS as well?

 

Yes. No.

SL doesn't have to be in 64 bit mode for Logic to run 64 bit mode.

[nsmadsen]

Cool, thanks for the replies guys!

[Kent Sandvik]

Should I just run Logic in 64 bit mode, or the OS as well?

 

Thanks!

 

Nate

To clarify, there's a 64-bit operating system and a 64-bit runtime. Applications need the runtime for 64-bit support, not the 64-bit OS. By default SnowLeopard's runtime is 64-bit so all you need to do is to enable 64-bit in your app (which is also the default nowadays.)

 

If you switch the OS to 64-bit support you will start beta testing various third-party device drivers, some handle 64-bit, some not. If unsure, just avoid this as you might get very spectacular crashes and can't figure out what's happening.