Available Memory?

[danika]

Just want to verify my understanding about the available memory for a PT9 session. Since PT9 is still a 32-bit application, it still runs in a 4GB address space, even on Win 7 and OS X 10.6. Is that correct?

[Park Seward]

Originally Posted by danika

Just want to verify my understanding about the available memory for a PT9 session. Since PT9 is still a 32-bit application, it still runs in a 4GB address space, even on Win 7 and OS X 10.6. Is that correct?

That is my understanding.

[lennieh]

But won't have to share any of that with the OS

[danika]

Originally Posted by lennieh

But won't have to share any of that with the OS

For OS X that was true prior to 10.6. Are you saying that Win 7 doesn't reserve 2GB per instance for its use like XP did?

[lennieh]

Originally Posted by danika

For OS X that was true prior to 10.6. Are you saying that Win 7 doesn't reserve 2GB per instance for its use like XP did?

If you use 32-bit operating system the total amount of memory that can be used is limited to 4Gb.

If you use 64-bit Win 7, then the total amount of memory available for all programs is huge.

If you run a 64-bit application it can use a huge chunk of memory as well.

If you run a 32-bit application it can only access a maximum of 4Gb of memory.

If you run that in a 32-bit operating system, it has to share that memory with all the other programs running on that system, including the operating system itself. Effectively this means that you will be limited to about 3Gb if you are just running Protools.

Not a problem in itself unless you use virtual instruments, e.g. some drum kits in Superior can load over 1.5Gb of samples with some presets...

So running a 32-bit app in a 64-bit OS means it theoretically has access to 4gb of memory in it's own application space. Though this probably depends on how the app itself has been coded.

The other advantage of using a 64-bit app is that some VIs can be run externally to Protools with their outputs rewired into protools.