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Windows Vista: Retail Vista Computers, Is there 3gb or 4gb of RAM inside?
Retail Vista Computers, Is there 3gb or 4gb of RAM inside?
by Bobbysmiles08 - 10/5/08 8:51 PMHi, I've been pondering over the infamous Vista 32-bit issue. Where
a computer having 4gb of RAM installed only reading as 3gb under
Vista 32-bit. I have an odd question: Do most retail computers with
Vista 32-bit installed, that are listed as having 3gb of RAM, actually have 4gb installed? This may come across as a stupid question, but it seems logical that a manufacturer would install RAM in even pairs rather than mis-matched sizes (such as 2X2GB rather than 1X2GB+1X1GB).
I ask this because it would be interesting if I were to install Vista 64-bit and it then read as having 4gb of RAM instead of the listed 3gb on the spec sheet.
Unlikely
by Jimmy Greystone - 10/5/08 9:17 PM In reply to: Retail Vista Computers, Is there 3gb or 4gb of RAM inside? by Bobbysmiles08It's unlikely I would think that computer makers are installing 4GB of RAM and only reporting that there's 3GB.
Money is the primary motivator for companies, and so when you think about it that way, even if it's only $1 more per system to add 4GB of RAM as opposed to 3GB, when you multiply that across a few hundred to thousand systems or more, that adds up to be a pretty good amount of money being spent for no real reason.
There's also the truth in advertising laws. While it seems highly unlikely that someone would complain if they found a system had 4GB of RAM compared to 3GB advertised, in our messed up culture, don't think that someone wouldn't sue and probably even win.
Windows 32 bit will only see 3 gig of memory
by Basket628 - 10/5/08 11:17 PM In reply to: Unlikely by Jimmy GreystoneWindows 32 bit will only see 3 gig of memory
3.5 is the MAX for 32 Vista system 64bits go as high as 128G
by Dango517 - 10/10/08 7:00 PM In reply to: Windows 32 bit will only see 3 gig of memory by Basket628thou more is actually being used by hidden files and some is also lost to very fundamental files inaccessible to most users.
What is the name and model number of the PC your looking at and we can tell you how much memory comes with it or you can, by going to the manufactures web site and search for it within the support section.
E.g.(see memory):
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01570958&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3828977
Good point
by Bobbysmiles08 - 10/6/08 7:26 AM In reply to: Unlikely by Jimmy GreystoneYou're probably right, but I still wish I could take the side panel off some of them just to check. Can anyone confirm this?
4GIG ram
by bowacl - 10/6/08 1:06 PM In reply to: Good point by Bobbysmiles08Oddly I just purchased a slimline HP computer that was advertised to have 3gig of ram, when I got it home and looked under system in control panel it said it has 4, when I checked the specs it lists 2x2GIG installed which is the max it can have, in looking in the paper work that came with the computer it has a disclaimer sheet stating "Note about systems configured with 4GB of memory - Above 3GB, all memory may not be available because of system resourse requirements. This limitation is not limited to HP and Compaq systems. The memory above 3GB is used for system resourses." It goes on to tell you how to check in BOIS the total memory installed. I am running Vista Premium 32 bit.
One other thing
by Jimmy Greystone - 10/6/08 8:08 AM In reply to: Retail Vista Computers, Is there 3gb or 4gb of RAM inside? by Bobbysmiles08One other thing. The more likely memory configuration would be 3x1GB. This would allow the computer maker to just buy mass quantities of 1GB RAM sticks to install in all systems.
Also, technically 32-bit Vista will "see" all 4GB, it's just that about the last 0.8GB is reserved for system functions, so you can only use about 3.2GB.
windows 32 bit will only see just ove 3 gig thats
by Basket628 - 10/6/08 2:18 PM In reply to: One other thing by Jimmy Greystoneif you want to see more needs windows 64 bit windows.
Not quite
by Jimmy Greystone - 10/6/08 2:48 PM In reply to: windows 32 bit will only see just ove 3 gig thats by Basket628Not quite true... But I think you're confusing seeing with using. It will see the RAM just fine, however it won't use more than about 3.2GB.
vista ram
by Edgson - 10/10/08 9:11 PM In reply to: Retail Vista Computers, Is there 3gb or 4gb of RAM inside? by Bobbysmiles08for your information
on some newer system they are using 2 x 1.500gig. to make 3 gig. ram
size..Surprise !!
There is no "Vista 32-bit issue"
by 3rdalbum - 10/11/08 9:04 AM In reply to: Retail Vista Computers, Is there 3gb or 4gb of RAM inside? by Bobbysmiles08Please don't call it "the Vista 32-bit issue". It's not a bug or flaw with Vista, nor with Windows. It's simply the way the x86 platform developed with memory mapped I/O and is present no matter what 32-bit operating system you use.
I agree with one of the earlier posters who said that the computer manufacturers put in 4 gigs. People seem to think that they need 4 gigabytes of RAM to get their word processing done, so that's what they demand, and that's what the computer makers supply. People don't know what's going on, and most people don't realise that most of the fourth gigabyte will be unusable when their machine comes with a 32-bit OS. Heck, even lots of computer literate people seem to think that the memory maps were a limitation of Vista and that they should upgrade to SP1 in order to access their fourth gigabyte, which of course is not so.
Also depends upon Intel vs AMD Processors
by ClaudeM - 10/11/08 12:42 PM In reply to: There is no "Vista 32-bit issue" by 3rdalbumIntel procedssors usually employ dual channel functionality on the memory, installing it in 2 banks of 2 slots each. In this configuration, you install the memory in matched pairs with the proper slots (usually color coded) on the sys board.
In the AMD environment, many sys boards have only 3 slots for memory and you can vary the capacity of each module, holding to the same speed of the module, with the largest in capacity in the slot closest to the processor.
Hope this helps with the original question, there could actually be a case for the 3 GB reported, particularly if processor is AMD.
32 bit system etc
by GeorgeRR - 10/11/08 12:51 PM In reply to: There is no "Vista 32-bit issue" by 3rdalbumI have a Gateway GT5438 pc with a 320gig hd, it came with 2x1 memory. It has 4 slots so I bought 2 more 1gig modules. It came with vista home premium.
It showed 2218mb or some such memory in system specs. I put the new sticks in; it shows 3318.
When I had svc pack 1 it showed 4048mb or so
Right now (without sp1 and with 4 1gb sticks) it shows 3318mb in system spec.
The system seems to be a little snapier, but from what I've been told far and wide is that the system only is able access about 3.25gb of the 4gb of memory available. Ok with me.
My big question is: can excessive heat generated in the case cause the ram to be erratic????????
Is this your machine?
by R. Proffitt
- 10/11/08 2:46 PM
In reply to: 32 bit system etc by GeorgeRR
http://support.gateway.com/s/pc/R/1009462/1009462nv.shtml
You can test if it's the heat. Leave the case cover off.
Yep, that's it alright
by GeorgeRR - 10/11/08 2:57 PM In reply to: Is this your machine? by R. Proffitt
I've been running it without the cover for 3or 4 hrs. I've also run the vista memory diagnostic tool several times, most recently just completed about 30minuts ago with no errors. It still freezes occasionaly. Sometimes .the tool turns up errors, sometimes it don't.Don't have a clue. It seems to freeze when changing web pages etc.
Thanks Bob
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