OP: Running True 64bit Browser, at 64bits, on a desktop Win7 64bit Machine

[Treetop64]

Thought I'd share this with those who might be interested.

I've been a longtime user of Google Chrome, but due to the lack of a 64bit version of the browser forthcoming I started to look around, and found an unlikely candidate: Internet Explorer.

Just recently MS released a desktop version of IE 10 for Windows 7. It is a true 64 bit browser, but by default it still runs 32bit content processes on 64bit desktop systems. However, it can be configured to run 64bit processes, with the added performance and security benefits of doing so, and with Adobe's recent updates with Flash to run at 64bits means that limitation formerly associated with IE9 is now gone forever.

Configuring IE 10 to run 64bit processes in Win7:
> Tools Wheel (upper right corner of browser)
> Internet Options
> Advanced tab
> Scroll all the way down to the "Security" section and check on "Enable Enhanced Security Mode" to turn it on
> Apply
> Close everything and restart your system

The term "Enhanced Security Mode" is one that applies more to Metro/Windows 8 than to Windows 7. In the former it enables an extra security layer inherent to that platform called AppContainer, in addition to the benefits of running 64bit content processes. In Windows 7, checking "Enhanced Security Mode" only enables the running of 64bit processes, since AppContainer doesn't exist in Win7. More details here

The result is that this is the first time I've used IE for any purpose whatsoever for the first time in nearly a decade.

Now, on the other hand, there is also Waterfox. I haven't used this yet, and wonder if anyone has and can share their experiences.

I'm just geeked out by this because now, finally, we have the ability to use 64bit systems running 64bit OSs, to go online with a 64 bit browser, and still use 64bit processes. This is big news!

[KG26_Alpha]

Water Fox is ok
But I never really see any major speed difference over 32bit browsers, and I have tried a few browsers to be honest.

Most of the seed/loading problems come from outside of your PC's browser with poorly designed web page scripts, security measures and isp speed handling..



Q:What makes Waterfox fast?
A:Waterfox was compiled with Intel's C++ Compiler with the following optimisations: Intel's Math Library, SSE3, AVX for supported Intel processors, jemalloc, Profile-Guided Optimisation and the /O3 switch.






.

Speaking directly to the 32bit versus 64bit question, regarding sheer performance, browsing is probably the very last task one would need to run at 64bit.

An answer from a Microsoft tech to a question a year ago about the advantage/disadvantage of running the (then) new E9 64bit:

"There is no significant advantage of 64 bit over 32 bit as such, it is just that you may use it on a 64bit platform. However, you will have a slightly safer and better browsing experience running the 64-bit version. As it is, 64-bit Windows is slightly safer overall as there's not as much malware aimed at the 64-bit platform and the 64-bit platform has a tighter architecture security-wise."

The whole E9 versus E10 thing is an entirely different thing - lol. I've been goofing around a bit with E10 64 but am not so excited about it.

[Treetop64]

Most of the excitement expressed earlier was in the potential of what could come with this door being opened, as it does open some new possibilities.

However, I noticed no real performance difference between, say, Chrome and IE10. In fact, there are still some technical issues going on with IE10, one of which that it hasn't quite yet sorted out it's indifference to Flash, even after the updates. Waterfox, however, is noticeably faster than either Chrome or IE10. Pages load much faster, and streaming is smoother. I'll be sticking with WF for a while!

But yes, I agree that a "full switch" 64bit system/application/internet environment is least taxed with web browsing, at least for now. Online gaming and HD streaming will be another matter, though...

... and 64bit gaming is hopefully right around the corner!


hope
hope
hope

lol