32bit or 64bit??

[Codo]

Dear Forum.

Can I benefit from starting OSX 10.6.8 in 64bit mode when I run PT9 HD3? (Mac Pro 3.1, 2x4core 2.8GHz 16GB RAM)

As far as I know, MacOSX will allocate the same ~4GB for the 32bit PT9, but a nerdy friend of mine told me some stuff about "flushing the cache". He said it should be beneficial to run the OS in 64bit mode, when I was using this 32bit program...???... It should somehow work better. Anyone knows?

Often I run short of memory, when I have loaded a range of VI´s in larger arrangements along with a line of voices.

Is there any settings within PT9 which can prevent these crashes?

Of course I´m trying to be tactical in my use of VI´s. Sharing same machines with different MIDI-track numbers, loading least possible samples, using Kontakt memory server etc.

But does the number of voices etc. make a difference?

Does any other VI´s than Kontakt use external memory server?

Thanks for helping me out

[[email protected]]

Pt9 is a 32 bit application; your numbers are correct, 4 gig can be the largest session, but you will likely see issues around 2.5 gigs, 64 bit won't help.... open activity monitor and see how big your session is. VI's are a killer in ProTools when used in large numbers.

Running any number of VI's above 4-5 can create issues... ( i am running PT 10 and try to stay under 5, it is a little bette,r and will likely improve in PT11).... VE Pro is what most people use as a rewire app into PT when working with large numbers of VI"s. Otherwise print your VI's and continue...
-SteveB.

[Delta Music Belgium]

In theory, the only reason to run the 64-bit kernel is if you have more then 32 GB RAM installed, because the 32-bit kernel can only access a maximum of 32 GB RAM. For example, the latest Mac Pro 5.1 Westmere with Dual CPU's can be loaded with 96 GB RAM (or even more).

However, if you run 64 bit applications for hosting your VI's (for example VE Pro) it is important to run the 64-bit kernel so VE Pro can access all of your RAM instead of the limited 4 GB for each application.

I did some testing with my system (see details below) and I found the 64-bit kernel being smoother and a little bit faster, even without more then 32 GB RAM

More info about the 64-bit kernel can be found here

[JFreak]

Actually 32-bit kernel can only access 4GB RAM, but there are workarounds which is why Avid was able to pull the Disk Cache out of the hat...