Question re 64 vs 32 bit performance with Lion…

[Kevin P mcauliffe]

Hey Eli,

Looks like we’re in the same boat. I noticed a performance enhancement by switching from SL to Lion, but no 32 vs 64-bit differences. Maybe it’s coming in one of Apple’s upcoming…..”updates”.

Kevin P McAuliffe
Creative COW Trainer
kevinpmcauliffe@gmail.com
Twitter: @kpmcauliffe

[Matt Doe]

I believe FCP X runs in 64bit mode even if you are not booted into the true 64bit version of SL

[John Pale]

64 bit apps require lots more RAM to run effectively. I would at l east double that 4GB to 8.

that being said, there are no significant performance differences between Snow Leopard and Lion.

Some older Intel Macs cannot run the 64 bit kernel, but this does not affect their ability to run 64 bit apps or use large amounts of RAM…getting all the benefits of a 64 bit OS. It just means the OS can’t “talk” to hardware using 64 bit instructions.

[Jason Jenkins]

[John Pale] “there are no significant performance differences between Snow Leopard and Lion”

Then what is the point of Lion?

Jason Jenkins
Flowmotion Media
Video production… with style!

[Michael Hancock]

You can make your mouse scroll the opposite way!

—————-
Michael Hancock
Editor

[John Pale]

[Jason Jenkins] ” “there are no significant performance differences between Snow Leopard and Lion”
“

Look at Apples web pages on Lion. If the new features appeal to you, then go for it. There are lots of them, but they might not be important to anything you do.

Both Lion and Snow Leopard are 64 bit operating systems. There isn’t a huge difference in performance, though some things might be a bit faster.

[Steve Connor]

I’m finding stability under Lion to be a problem, more unexplained crashes. When I revert to SL I get far fewer crashes and I’m sure speed is a little better.

Steve Connor
Adrenalin Television

Have you tried “Search Posts”? Enlightenment may be there.

[Eli Hollander]

Also, the “real” question I had is:

When I boot into Lion in 32 bit mode (holding the “3” and “2” keys down at startup), I seem to get better performance in Lion than when booting in the default 64 bit mode (you can tell if you are in 32 or 64 bit mode by doing “About This Mac…” in the Apple Menu, then “More Info…” in the window that pops up, then click on “System Report” then select the “Software” tab).

I am wondering if other people get the same results that I am getting–less stuttering and fewer dropped frames in 32 bit mode than in 64 in Lion?

Thanks,
Eli

[John Pale]

I think I answered that. You don’t have enough RAM. 64 bit requires a lot of RAM.
I’d have a minimum of 8 on that machine
..