Trainz 2010 EE and Windows 7 64bit?

[mike_hooper]

I have just received my new program and am about to instruct my dealer to upgrade my PC to the point where it will run with an acceptable frame rate and quality. However, I have just read (printed on the DVD case) that the recommended specification suggests Windows 7 64bit (Zec Murphy also specified it in a recent email). This has huge implications and I don't understand why there is no expanded explanation or even discussion on the forum. For a start how does the program, apparently, manage to run in 32 and 64 bit? Also, if I have Windows 7 64bit installed on my PC (at greatly increased cost) what happens to all my 32bit programs? Is it intended that Trainzers have two operating systems (32 and 64) installed in order to accommodate everything. The mind boggles! Explanations, please.
Mike

 

[meatloaf747]

Mike, These should help bringing you up to speed...
http://www.w7forums.com/windows-7-64-bit-vs-32-bit-t484.html - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/64-bit-support - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/taking-the-mystery-out-of-64-bit-windows - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/understanding-hardware-and-software-for-64-bit-windows - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions
Cheers, Mac...

 

[RRSignal]

Have you ruled out Windows XP 64? I run a pretty much bare-minimum machine, and have no problems with 32-bit XP. I'm not even running the minimum-required Windows service pack (2010 is supposed to require SP3, but I'm only running SP2.) I believe Trainz can use 64-bit extensions, if available.

 

[ZecMurphy]

Hi mike_hooper

TS2010 is a 32bit program, and as such works under 32bit operating systems. However, as with many 32bit programs (and 64 bit operating systems), TS2010 can also run under a 64bit operating system. It will also take advantage of some the extra resources available under a 64bit operating system.

As TS2010 is a higher spec version of Trainz, we do recommend using a 64bit operating system to get the best performance.

Most programs will still run under 64bit. However, if you have a large enough hard drive, you can request to have the computer setup for dual boot, so as to have both a 32bit operating system and a 64bit operating system.

I personally do this, having XP 32bit and Win 7 64bit (albeit off two separate hard drives), since I do have some software that requires Win XP to run.

 

[mike_hooper]

Thanks very much everybody. Trainz seems to get more technical by the minute. I will digest all this and see what's the affordable best. Dual booting had occurred to me, but I wonder whether the gains are worth the cost as I am only a player not a creator.
Mike

 

[jordan2k10]

Windows 7

Hi mike_hooper

TS2010 is a 32bit program, and as such works under 32bit operating systems. However, as with many 32bit programs (and 64 bit operating systems), TS2010 can also run under a 64bit operating system. It will also take advantage of some the extra resources available under a 64bit operating system.

As TS2010 is a higher spec version of Trainz, we do recommend using a 64bit operating system to get the best performance.

Most programs will still run under 64bit. However, if you have a large enough hard drive, you can request to have the computer setup for dual boot, so as to have both a 32bit operating system and a 64bit operating system.

I personally do this, having XP 32bit and Win 7 64bit (albeit off two separate hard drives), since I do have some software that requires Win XP to run.

Hi, does TS2010 work on windows 7 32bit. Thanks. Jordan

 

[johnwhelan]

Hi, does TS2010 work on windows 7 32bit. Thanks. Jordan

It's running quite happily on my machine. Trainz can use 4 gigs of memory under XP / Vista/ Win 7 64 bit against 2 gigs of memory under XP / Vista/ Win 7 32 bit.

Cheerio John

 

[NikkiA]

It's running quite happily on my machine. Trainz can use 4 gigs of memory under XP / Vista/ Win 7 64 bit against 2 gigs of memory under XP / Vista/ Win 7 32 bit.

Cheerio John

And of course, being able to have the OS recognise more than 4GB, means that other tasks on your system can use any memory beyond the 4GB that trainz can be using - thus reducing the amount of swap thrashing, even if trainz isn't directly benefiting from all the memory available.