We require 64-bit binaries

TanyaRubirose wrote:
And while it may be extremely foolish for some computers, there's actually a number of systems released on the market where a 64-bit system is actually a waste of money; many of these utilize cheap, low-end processors where the difference in performance between 32-bit and 64-bit is so minute as to be effectively nonexistent.

Just read this post now and I need to point something out here. x86-64 processors running an x64 program on an x64 operating system has access to 16 processor registers instead of 8. They receive a significant performance boost if they're very CPU intensive. 32-bit programs can't access those additional 8 registers.

"Cheap" systems these days often sell with 8 GiB or more memory because it's easy to convince customers they "need" it. If you're doing something (even running multiple 32-bit applications) that benefits from not switching to page file, it provides a significant boost even on "low end processors." Memory is memory. Either you have enough or you don't. 4 GiB is an easy number to hit these days.

TanyaRubirose wrote:
...there's actually a number of computer applications that are 32-bit, some of which are actually essential for such things as internet service.

I'm posting this from IE10 64-bit and have been using 64-bit browsers on a daily basis for over a year. The only hurdle to using a 64-bit browser was Adobe not offering 64-bit components for Flash and Reader. Both are now available so, unless you're doing something really odd, 64-bit browsers aren't a problem. Even if you are, 32-bit browsers will function fine on a 64-bit operating system so start up the 32-bit version if there's an issue (Program Files (x86) instead of Program Files).

TanyaRubirose wrote:
While these can function under a 64-system, there are a few specialty applications which are not actually compatible with 64-bit systems and require a 32-bit to run; those are also cases where a 32-bit system proves superior.

I've been using Windows x64 for almost 8 years now. The only programs that refused to run were games like Beyond Good & Evil and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory because of the DRM those games used. I now own BG&E from Good Old Games which is DRM free and it runs like a champ on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

Out of all the programs I ran in eight years (hundreds of them), I can only name less than a dozen that had problems. Even an ancient game (dated I think 1996 or 1997) like Theme Hospital, which is 16-bit, was made to work on 64-bit in the GOG version by using DOSBox.

Put simply, if you find a program that doesn't work on 64-bit, you can either buy an updated version of it for cheap or you really need to upgrade (e.g. ancient DOS-based accounting programs).

TanyaRubirose wrote:
Finally, if 64-bit is so popular, then why are 32-bit versions of Windows 8 being sold in every Walmart, Target, and Office Depot I've been to?

Retailers like you named target consumers that are upgrading, most likely from Windows XP. If you are upgrading a computer from Windows XP (not x64 Edition), it is best to go with 32-bit to avoid hardware compatibility issues. 32-bit is also suitable for devices such as tablets that never do much more than browsing the web. For all devices that do any more than browsing the web, it should (and most do) come preinstalled a 64-bit operating system.

TanyaRubirose wrote:
...the 64-bits tend to be harder to sell?

Probably because 64-bit got a bad wrap back in the XP x64 Edition days. Prior to Vista, x64 Edition was not for people that didn't know their way around computers because hardware support was a landmine. That changed with Vista because, to get WHQL logo'd manufacturers had to submit both 64-bit and 32-bit drivers for approval or they would get disapproved. Basically, that meant finding drivers for new hardware was no longer a problem like it was in the XP x64 days.

Also, people are afraid of change.

TanyaRubirose wrote:
I also notice you haven't named a single computer game that takes advantage of 64-bit systems...

Minecraft at high resolutions. It crashes like a boss when running on 32-bit Java. It never crashes on 64-bit.

TanyaRubirose wrote:
Crysis had 32-bit and 64-bit versions (the first is the standard version that shipped with Steam). Some people have noted the 32-bit version crashes on 64-bit platforms, which reinforces what I said about potential compatibility issues between 32-bit applications and 64-bit OS's.

All games have the potential to crash. If done correctly, 64-bit is less likely to crash than 32-bit because of 32-bit's memory limitations.

TanyaRubirose wrote:
Half-Life 2 actually had its 64-bit mode removed back in 2009 (not certain if they ever added it back; it was still missing in 2010) due to bugs.

The Source engine (2004) is older than The Sims 3 (2009).

I don't have HL2 so I can't verify if it is or isn't there.