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February 21st, 2008

Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 2:31 pm

Categories: On the test bench, Vista

Tags: 32-bit, Microsoft Windows Vista, Results Let, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), 64-Bit, Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows, Software, Processors, Semiconductors

My benchmarking marathon last week seemed to generate more questions and requests for further benchmarking.  A popular request from you, Constant Reader, was to see Windows Vista 32-bit benchmarked against Windows Vista 64-bit. 

You asked, I delivered.  Enjoy!

The Test System

Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - BenchmarkedTo carry out this run of benchmarks I chose a base system that represents the sort of system that someone might want to have 4GB or more of RAM installed and therefore want to go the 64-bit route.  I’m certain that my choice of system will generate a lot of feedback relating to its suitability.

Here’s the spec of that system:

  • Phenom 9700 quad-core processor
  • ATi Radeon 3850 graphics card with 256MB RAM
  • ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe motherboard
  • 2GB (2 x 1GB) Corsair Dominator CM2X1024-8500C5D RAM
  • Western Digital Raptor 10,000RPM 150GB primary hard drive
  • Western Digital Caviar 7,200RPM 500GB secondary hard drive

The following OS combinations were tested:

  • Vista 32-bit RTM
  • Vista 32-bit SP1
  • Vista 64-bit RTM
  • Vista 64-bit SP1

Each system was fully patched with all patches available from Windows Update. 

Other noteworthy points:

  • The only driver installed was the graphics card driver - Catalyst 8.2.
  • No optimizations were carried out other than to process idle tasks and defrag the hard drive between each test. 
  • Windows Defender was left on for all tests. 
  • The Microsoft SP1 testing guidelines document was followed closely.

Next –>

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Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

Right to Reply: Should any industry representatives wish to comment on any posts on Hardware 2.0, I will be happy to publish their reply verbatim on this blog.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 64 Talkback(s)
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked
Did you engage both of the processors in the 64bit test? if not, I think that the test is not fair because the real power features of the 64bit weren't being used.... (Read the rest)
Posted by: dcole81@... Posted on: 12/29/08 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Had the choice.  SniperCT | 02/21/08
I had the choice as well...  JT82 | 02/22/08
Message has been deleted.  fr0thy | 02/22/08
Printers, printers, printers.  cornpie | 02/22/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  g_keramidas@... | 02/21/08
Thanks ...  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 02/21/08
(nt)Boot up times are most likely due to to drivers  toadlife | 02/21/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  eggmanbubbagee@... | 02/21/08
64 bit is great  mgrubb@... | 02/22/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  Magikx21 | 02/22/08
XPx64  yagijd | 02/22/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  eggmanbubbagee@... | 02/21/08
PassMark is NOT a good test: use PCMark Vantage!  qmlscycrajg | 02/22/08
PassMark is NOT a good test: use PCMark Vantage!  qmlscycrajg | 02/22/08
defender is not sp1 compatible, at present.  VONDRASHEK@... | 02/22/08
Turn off your cap locks!  ShadeTree | 02/22/08
Maybe there's a difference...  James T. Kirk | 02/22/08
How would you know ....  ShadeTree | 02/22/08
Pleasant Surprise  NewlyVistafied | 02/22/08
Makes Sense  shassouneh | 02/22/08
Indeed, gamers were die hard Win 98 for a long time  eggmanbubbagee@... | 02/22/08
Question for you  rhomp2002@... | 02/22/08
who's at fault?  eggmanbubbagee@... | 02/22/08
Print driver  yagijd | 02/22/08
64-bit is just better all around...  Narg | 02/22/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 02/22/08
Me too.  ShadeTree | 02/22/08
4GB RAM  DoubleJava | 02/22/08
3.5G RAM limit on Vista-32  CraiGrrr | 02/22/08
no 32 bit MS consumer OS will address full 4 gig  eggmanbubbagee@... | 02/22/08
Slow adoption is the price of prior FUD  jpratchios@... | 02/22/08
A couple major problems with your post!  ShadeTree | 02/22/08
Usually an indication of anyone who uses  ItsTheBottomLine | 02/22/08
Oh God - the fruit forum is down the street  ItsTheBottomLine | 02/22/08
So is Vista 64 as fast as/faster than XP SP2?  hansonjb | 02/22/08
and is XP-64 still available? (nt)  wessonjoe | 02/22/08
MultiMedia rendering times would be good  dunn@... | 02/22/08
Interesting  John L. Ries | 02/22/08
Why do so many people care about boot-up times?  PB_z | 02/22/08
Good questoin...  ItsTheBottomLine | 02/22/08
shut downs  merc2dogs` | 04/25/08
We have 64 Bit Vista.  redtrain65 | 02/22/08
You didn't need Firefox.  ShadeTree | 02/22/08
Why wouldn't you use Firefox?  mnkyhead | 08/26/08
Good article  DemonX | 02/22/08
Can't run x64...  BitTwiddler | 02/22/08
Want a dual Vista  gestrate@... | 02/22/08
its simple  JamesDoyle | 02/22/08
64 bits will come in handy about 2064  Ole Man | 02/22/08
X64 -- Boy, I've been waiting for this!  Kromaethius | 02/22/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  prfesser | 02/22/08
SP1  lawryll@... | 02/22/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  thetruthhurts | 02/22/08
Another clueless MS basher...  jamesrayg | 02/22/08
Wowza  supercharlie | 02/23/08
So sayeth the MS shills!!  hbashman@... | 02/23/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  gesi28@... | 02/22/08
Yes, it is more than just memory.  CobraA1 | 02/23/08
As expected  CobraA1 | 02/22/08
The experience in 64 is better than your numbers show!  Narg | 02/24/08
How do the boot times compare with XP SP2 and Ubuntu?  srobtjones@... | 02/25/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  drhogan | 03/19/08
Help need a working benchmark for Vista 64-bit  schalk9917 | 04/13/08
RE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked  dcole81@... | 12/29/08

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