Do I need 64 bits?

It might seem like 64-bit computing is a huge step up in performance, but is it really…?

It’s been over three years since 64-bit processors entered the marketplace, followed shortly by operating systems that took advantage of them like Windows XP 64-bit, Vista 64, and most recently Mac OSX 10.5 - otherwise known as Leopard.

But the adoption of 64-bit has been slow, at best, even within the circle of pro digital photographers - users who tend to stay near the bleeding edge of computer technology.

It’s not that 64-bit operating systems aren’t there, or that people don’t have 64-bit processors, but the third party support for 64-bit drivers and software is slow in coming. Though there are performance increases when running 32-bit applications on 64-bit hardware, the real benefits come when matching 64-bit software with 64-bit hardware.

It’s only when they are matched up like this that the OS can take advantage of storing data in more than 4GB of memory. Currently though, most computers don’t come with anything greater than 2GB, and some powerhouse systems are upgraded to 4GB, but very few have more. Developers and hardware manufacturers seem to know this.

None of the big photo editing applications (Photoshop, Lightroom, DXO, Aperture) are designed to take advantage of 64 bits at this writing. However, it’s definitely a question of when, and not if. So while 64-bit across the board is inevitable - it’s just not quite there yet, so for most people it’s unnecessary, unless you plan on upgrading your computer anyways, in which case going with a 64-bit rig is likely smart.