p.1 #1 · Can I use NX and Nik Software in Windows 7?
I have NX2 and Nik Colour Efex Pro 3.0 on my Vista 32 bits machine. I would like to upgrade my computer and use Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bits.
Does NX2 and Nik Colour Efex Pro 3.0 run on the 64-bits OS (I know it may not take advantage of the additional ram)? All I need to know is whether it would even work.
Also, do I have to upgrade to CS4 (from CS3) to take advantage of the additional ram in the 64-bits OS environment?
p.1 #2 · Can I use NX and Nik Software in Windows 7?
Nik software will not work in 64 bit Photoshop. Nik has announced a new version of Vivesa to be launched next month that will, but the upgrade is $99 USD. I expect that they'll be upgrading all of their products to work in 64 bit PS over the next few months.
CS3 is 32 bit. If you have a 64 bit OS, then PS will install both the 32 and 64 bit versions of CS4 so that you can continue to use your 32 bit plugins. However, Adobe is expected to release CS5 in the first half of 2010, so it may make more sense to wait until then before upgrading.
p.1 #4 · Can I use NX and Nik Software in Windows 7?
I don't know anything about NX2 (or even what it is) but if it worked in either XP or Vista, it will almost certainly work in Windows 7 64 bit, although it will be limited to approx. 3.25 GB of memory.
CS3 will work, but again with the same caveat. In general, applications written for a 32 bit environment will work fine in a 64 bit environment but will be limited to the same amount of memory as they were in the 32 bit environment.
p.1 #5 · Can I use NX and Nik Software in Windows 7?
Thanks. One more question... more related to hardware.
If I have a C2D 3Ghz with 3G ram using Vista 32 bits, will I see significant improvement by moving to Windows 7 64bits with 6G ram in C1 or CS4 performance?
p.1 #6 · Can I use NX and Nik Software in Windows 7?
Yes. Doubling your memory should give you a significant performance boost. Until this past spring, I had a C2D 2.4 Ghz processor and 4 GB memory. I now run a Core i7 920 with 12 GB memory and the difference is quite astonishing.
