64-bit version?

[flamingpac]

Since 64-bit processing is faster then 32bit will there be a 64-bit version? With windows XP x64 coming out soon everyone with an AMD64 could see a nice increase in emulation, who knows it might make the compatibility list a lot better.

I was just wondering if one was being thought of. I haven't looked into the details, I don't mean completely recoding and 100% 64-bit, 64-bit optimized would see a nice speed boost I would think.

I haven't looked into compliers and making 64-bit programs yet so this may be asking to re-code the whole thing, if thats the case forget it, if its as easy as swapping around a few lines of code and using a different complier to make it, then I think it would be reasonable.

 

[Stezo2k]

I agree, after testing Win XP x64 myself, 64 bit apps do have quite a nice increase in performance over 32 bit apps, heck even 32 bit apps work a little faster too due to WOW64. Give it time, once the OS becomes popular i'm sure they'll be more emulators which are optimised/fully 64 bit for XP x64.

However, though this will give the emu a boost, I don't think it'll be too much faster, maybe 10fps more?

 

[sonicadvance]

Still, 10FPS is pretty good

 

[Wuigi]

Take Melee. From 3-7 to 13-17 is a welcome improvement.

 

[flamingpac]

there's no way to find out until we do. And I think it will get more th increase a video encoder will then a game. Since I believe an emulator uses mainly the system processor to translate the game code to readable code for the computer.

A game on the other hand mainly uses the video card to display things and is heavy on RAM

a processor 200MHz in speed wont make more then 1-22FPS differance in World of Warcraft. I'm sure it adds more then that to Dolphin...

oh well most of the problems are the actualy code, its very hard to code an emulator, I know, but that is the main consern.

going completly 64-bit might do jack, it might be a life saver. we can't tell. If the code was near as complete as say PJ64 or ePSXe to perfect emulation I would say it would make a huge differance...

now I need Logitech to give me some drivers. Does retail x64 come out today? (Monday, 2mins into it!)

Off to bed, I got school >.>

 

[DOGG]

correct me if i'm wrong. But wasn't the 32 to 64 bit translation made so that CPUs could address larger amounts of RAM? I believe it has nothing to do with performance.

 

[Coco]

Yup, pretty much, moving to 64 bit just means that the computer now understands numbers that are 64 bits long instead of 32 bits long. Which can be an important factor for many things, as that precision can be important. Although it's not likely to really provide a speed boost.

I mean 64 bit technology isn't a new thing. It's been around for over a decade. The reason it's not on home computers is because home users don't really need it. It doesn't provide more speed. It provides the ability to do more complex equations. Which can mean cooler loking shadows and stuff that like, but usually it won't equate to a speed change, at least not anything of much significance. Expecting a 1 to 2 fps boost might be expecting too much in this case.

 

[Falcon4ever]

AFAIK, the dev's don't have a 64-bit cpu and keep in mind this emu is just some hobby of them. Rewritting the emu to 64-bit consumes a lot of time...

 

[Doomulation]

The benefits of 64-bit processors are these...
- Each application today can address 4 gb of memory due to 32-bit addresses. With 64-bit, they can handle OH HOW much more.
- The size of registers of the processor are increased to 64-bit, meaning that apps can put larger data into one register instead of placing them in several registers to perform operations.
- More registers! That means less data in memory - thus faster.
- Probably means better and faster precision on floating numbers, and other calculations...
- Probably more I'm unaware of...

 

[Stezo2k]

The benefits of 64-bit processors are these...
- Each application today can address 4 gb of memory due to 32-bit addresses. With 64-bit, they can handle OH HOW much more.
- The size of registers of the processor are increased to 64-bit, meaning that apps can put larger data into one register instead of placing them in several registers to perform operations.
- More registers! That means less data in memory - thus faster.
- Probably means better and faster precision on floating numbers, and other calculations...
- Probably more I'm unaware of...

That's quite a few improvements actually, come to think about it, I think I remember hearing about some of the hardware in the Gamecube being 64bit, maybe it would improve performance that much more.

With the dual core CPUs out now, that should definatley add more performance if it's optimised for it, wishful thinking though