Does Intel’s new Pineview range of Atom processors benefit from the 64-bit instruction set? This is what Windows 7′s WinSAT has to say about the N450 and its integrated GMA 3150 graphics with 1GB of single-channel DDR2 667MHz RAM: (bolded values indicate better performance)
32-bit |
64-bit |
|
| CPU LZW Compression | 35.23 MB/s | 39.84 MB/s |
| CPU AES256 Compression | 11.18 MB/s | 13.20 MB/s |
| CPU Vista Compression | 124.36 MB/s | 90.14 MB/s |
| CPU SHA1 Hash | 109.41 MB/s | 135.45 MB/s |
| Uniproc CPU LZW Compression | 25.47 MB/s | 29.01 MB/s |
| Uniproc CPU AES256 Encryption | 7.50 MB/s | 9.31 MB/s |
| Uniproc CPU Vista Compression | 87.29 MB/s | 57.88 MB/s |
| Unipro CPU SHA1 Hash | 84.03 MB/s | 103.43 MB/s |
| Memory Performance | 3379.41 MB/s | 3371.62 MB/s |
| Direct3D Batch Performance | 16.24 F/s | 18.38 F/s |
| Direct3D Alpha Blend Performance | 18.26 F/s | 18.68 F/s |
| Direct3D ALU Performance | 6.84 F/s | 7.20 F/s |
| Direct3D Texture Load Performance | 5.42 F/s | 5.41 F/s |
| Direct3D Batch Performance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Direct3D Alpha Blend Performance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Direct3D ALU Performance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Direct3D Texture Load Performance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Direct3D Geometry Performance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Direct3D Geometry Performance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Direct3D Constant Buffer Performance | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Video Memory Throughput | 1622.76 MB/s | 1597.23 MB/s |
| Dshow Video Encode Time | 24.10569 s | 25.14829 s |
| Media Foundation Decode Time | 4.20016 s | 3.41832 s |
Except for the Vista Compression item, N450 runs faster in 64-bit mode than 32-bit. The GMA 3150 also performs faster in Direct3D and Media Foundation decoding but is slower in DirectShow encoding. The CPU, memory and gaming graphics Windows Experience Indices (WEI) are the same for both 32 and 64-bit at 2.4 for CPU, 4.5 for memory and 3.0 for gaming graphics. The WEI for (desktop) graphics however is 3.0 for 32-bit and 2.9 for 64-bit due to the video memory throughput difference.
In practice though, I haven’t noticed much difference between the two modes. So if you need compatibility with older programs then you don’t lose much from not going 64-bit.
How about battery life? On wich netbook have you been testing it?
Hi there Rodakk,
The netbook used was the ViewSonic VNB107. It comes with a 6-cell battery and so far on a new battery both 32 and 64-bit modes can get approximately the same 4-hour battery life on web browsing with max display brightness. So for web browsing there’s no significant difference in power consumption between the two modes so far. Of course, your mileage may vary.
Hope the info’s useful.
Recentlz I switched to 64 bit Windows 7 on my Samsung N210. I also upgraded RAM to 2GB. It’s doing pretty well, there’s no difference at all in battery life.
Nice to hear that it’s working out for you.
It’s nice to be able to use x64 mode even when the benefits aren’t that big.
What’s the WEI score for 2GB RAM? I find 1GB runs a little bit smoother with ReadyBoost enabled using an SD card. Your 2GB probably is more than enough that it doesn’t need ReadyBoost.
WEI score didn’t raised much. Went form 4,5 on 1GB pre-installed stick to 4,6 on 2GB. But anyway it’s worth it.