64 bit version?

[dave]

OK, first of all I need to admit that knowing diddly squat about what goes on 'under the bonnet' of computers.
However, I have just noticed, after many years that I am running the 32 bit version of the game. Is there a 64 bit version and what do I have to do to change it? My computer is still a modern and powerful machine so I don't see any issue there. It just feels daft that I am doing the equivalent of driving a powerful sports car but with a gearbox that only has a first and second gear available.

[x1Heavy]

There is a 64 bit version of the game. However your hardware and operating system needs to be able to run 64 Bit software. I can run it but choose to just train along at 32 bit for a variety of reasons. One of which is older video cards and cooling. To me with my eyes there is no compelling reason to run it in 64 bit mode. Although I have in the past.

[pjohnandlyns]

Dave.
With TS highlighted in your games list on Steam, click the Play button. This should give you the option to select either 32 or 64. bit. Click the ring by the 64 option to put a dot in it and that should be it.
If not, do you have an Nvidia GPU. If yes, then go to the control panel then 3D settings, and Program settings and look to see that the "Railworks64.exe" is listed. if not browse to it and add it to the control panel listing.

All this is assuming you have a PC capable of running 64 bit systems.
Hope this helps.

[Glenn]

OR: You can always put a shortcut on your desktop and run it from there. Look inside the RailWorks folder - C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\RailWorks - and find the file called RailWorks64.exe. RIGHT click (Hold) on it and drag it onto the desktop then 'Create Shortcut'. You can do same with the RailWorks.exe and then quickly and easily choose which version you want to run.

[dave]

Originally posted by pjohnandlyns:

Dave.
With TS highlighted in your games list on Steam, click the Play button. This should give you the option to select either 32 or 64. bit. Click the ring by the 64 option to put a dot in it and that should be it.
If not, do you have an Nvidia GPU. If yes, then go to the control panel then 3D settings, and Program settings and look to see that the "Railworks64.exe" is listed. if not browse to it and add it to the control panel listing.

All this is assuming you have a PC capable of running 64 bit systems.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for that. My computer is about four years old. But it's still a beast! It was my retirement present to me and designed to run MS Flight Sim over four monitors at max graphics. So all being well it should be fine. I hope. ((grins))

[Glenn]

You won't actually notice much difference between 32 bit or 64 bit. It's really just an improvement with memory handling and all that stuff (over my head!). It basically allows for more A.I. rolling stock etc to be used in scenarios.

[x1Heavy]

I dont want to get into comparing computers but built mine 8 years ago. Part of it is from previous computers and video cards for example are approaching 18 years old for the three in the machine. The CPU is a i7 3930 6 core which runs on stock and is allowed to kick in overdrive when it needs to. But not specifically overclocked anymore. The Windows is a 64 bit version on there (Win 7 ultimate) but suspect MS upgraded it stealthy to win 10 performance or something.

The other computer has a 32 bit windows 7 and is approaching it's 20th year of service and that particular build was based on reliability. So Im pretty proud of it but terrified at how old its getting. Orignal fans still going and everything. Model trains burn out their brushes in motors after 20 years and here is a computer approaching that.

There is no real difference yet in running 64 bit. I do have a fast big gaming monitor and all that jazz but frankly with the eye situation (New lenses are being made...) im happy just to lumber along with whatever. You can tell in my screen shots I share regularly that its ok. But not like today's newest graphics cards which are getting pretty ... life like for lack of a better word.

Good luck to you.

[englishkeymaster]

Only the other day I spoke to someone about computers, component prices, specs and age and I came to the obvious conclusion that whilst computers do age, and a £1500 pc all too rapidly becomes a £350 pc - they do hold the attribute of being just as able to everything on the last day to the same standard as on their first.

And another thing I've noted is, things haven't moved on that much - I dont upgrade my pc often but last year I did and I replaced a 9-10 year old cpu with one less than a year old and based on benchmark sites the effective speed difference is about 8% - obviously in the right situation (such as multicore processing) that would change drastically but what it does shout is that older tech can be pretty darn good.

Which is why these days I rarely decomission I just repurpose. My old gaming rig is now my office computer for video/audio editing etc.

[Phase3]

dave
What are specs of this beast? What sort of Monitor are you running - resolution and refresh rate?
The memory allocation (VAS and RAM) is far superior in 64-bit compared to 32-bit!

[x1Heavy]

Whats really scary is that there is a closet with nothing but computer stuff including cases etc. I could probably go in there, shake the stuff into the case and presto have a mongrel computer in a few hours.

I have not bought computers retail at a store for close to 30 years now. I simply cannot stand the crap that they started off with way back in the intergrated graphics days.

Although I remember the original 486 chips and voodoo 64 meg 3d video cards as a PC in radio shack retailing for 4000 dollars for the holiday season that year. Top of the line and everything.

4000 back then converts to about 20,000 inflated dollars today.