WinXP 64 bit Question

[loafer87gt]

Hey guys,

My version of XP 64 just came today. I was just wondering, does one need a 64 bit version of Max to get around the 2GB memory limitation of regular the version of WinXP, or does just running the 32bit executable under a 64 bit OS get around this limitation? The reason I ask is because my new version of Viz 2008 also arrived, but apparently Autodesk decided to not include a 64 bit version of the program like they did with 3DSMax 9. Will the 32 bit version of Viz 2008 still let me use my full 4GB's of memory when running XP 64? It would be nice to be able to retire the /3GB hack and finally have the program take advantage of my all my system memory.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[percydaman]

you need 64bit all around to get past the 2gb limit. You can use the /3gb switch to get up to 3gb on 32bit systems though.

[loafer87gt]

Ah shucks. Just curious, but isn't Max 9 the first version of max to have 64 bit support. If so, what was the point in running the 64 bit version of Windows if the Max / Viz application didn't take advantage of the expanded memory? I'm still kind of choked that Discreet didn't include 64 bit support in Viz 2008.

[percydaman]

well thats the 64 thousand dollar question. I dont use vis, I just know everything I need to be 64bit is there if needed. Never understood why anyone uses viz period to be honest.

[Blitterswitch]

I also would like to know an answer for this but in respect to Vista Home Premium 32-bit. Does the 3gb switch still work or is it enabled by default. Thanks.

[DaForce]

If you use vista 32 or 64bit OR XP 64bit then your 32bit applications will be able to use up to 3GB straight off the bat. Without the need for a /3GB switch.

But ideal full 64bit is the way to go

[Blitterswitch]

Thats fantastic news, I was worried that I would have to shell out for a additional copy of xp 64 or vista 64! Thanks for that!

[Clifton Santiago]

I use XP64 with Max 8 (32-bit of course) and on my 4 gig machine, I can approach about 3.7 gig of RAM assigned just to MAX before encountering any problems. I assume there is a 4 gig limit on 32-bit apps in a 64-bit OS.

[rivoli]

I assume there is a 4 gig limit on 32-bit apps in a 64-bit OS.

yep, win 64 can address up to 4 gigs of memory to 32 bit apps. and yes, max will quite likely quit on you well before reaching 4 gigs, but still..

[loafer87gt]

I use XP64 with Max 8 (32-bit of course) and on my 4 gig machine, I can approach about 3.7 gig of RAM assigned just to MAX before encountering any problems. I assume there is a 4 gig limit on 32-bit apps in a 64-bit OS.

Hmm - now I'm confused. This is the contrary to what Percy said in the second post. ?? Did you have to use the /3GB switch or something similar to get Max to use more than 2 Gigs of memory?

[rivoli]

Did you have to use the /3GB switch or something similar to get Max to use more than 2 Gigs of memory?

nope, there's no 3gig switch that you need to use under xp 64. any 32 bit app which is large address aware (and max is), will use up to 4 gigs of memory.

[percydaman]

I wasn't aware of a raising of the limit to 4gb in xp64.

[Clifton Santiago]

Yes, that is why I went with XP 64 on all 7 of our dual Opteron 4 gb ram machines about 18 months ago. I read about it on this forum...

I have yet to run out of memory on any of them (unless I do something stupid like accidentally putting 10 iterations on a mesh smooth or something).

Hey percydaman, where do you live in KC? I lived in midtown KC for 2 years after I finished school at KU.

[percydaman]

i work downtown KC, but live in grandview.