Is there any 64-bit software for Windows that is much preferable to its 32-bit counterpart in a 64-bit OS?

Question

I was searching for a free 64-bit antivirus, since I read somewhere here on SU that its much better for 64-bit systems than the 32-bit version, I have only found 32-bit versions with 64-bit OS support.

Could you point me a free 64-bit antivirus for Windows, and other kinds of software where the 64-bit version outperforms notably the 32-bit version?

Answer 1

CryEngine 2's Sandbox Editor (The engine that Crysis runs on) massively outperforms the 32bit version when it can have >2GB of RAM all to itself.

As for AVs, a 32bit antivirus will do exactly the same job. No antivirus will have better results from being purely 64bit. (Windows 7 is notably safer by itself on x64, thanks to some nifty RAM-address tomfoolery x86 builds don't have enabled)

Answer 2

Photoshop performs better in a 64-bit system. You can see some numbers if you scroll to the bottom here.

Word on the street is that the 64-bit edition of Photoshop is 8-12% faster.

Answer 3

Try Microsoft's Security Essentials - very well written free antivirus by MS, after Avast and AVG I finally found an antivirus that doesn't slow down computer too much. And it automatically installs 32/64bit version depending on your system.

Answer 4

AVAST is 64-bit and can run on 32-bit natively.