Computer help: 3 or 4gb RAM?
3 or 4gb RAM?
by d.wasson - 9/26/08 3:24 AMHi Everyone,
Currently I have a laptop with 2gb of RAM (in one slot out of possible two) that runs 32bit Windows Vista Home Premium.
I want to buy another 1 or 2gb more, but I have heard that windows 32bit somehow eats away some of your ram when you have 4gb installed.
So my question: is it worth getting an extra 2gb card or should I just go for a cheaper 1gb card?
Michael
More than two Gig . . .
by Coryphaeus - 9/26/08 6:56 AM In reply to: 3 or 4gb RAM? by d.wassonis total overkill, especially for a laptop. Why do you want more?
On a 32-bit OS
by Jimmy Greystone - 9/26/08 7:26 AM In reply to: 3 or 4gb RAM? by d.wassonOn a 32-bit OS, there's no point exceeding 3GB, because of limitations in the hardware. You will be limited to somewhere around 3.2GB, even if you have 4GB installed.
your right but......
by massta - 9/27/08 3:11 AM In reply to: On a 32-bit OS by Jimmy GreystoneRunning a 32-bit system doesn't access the entire 4G of memory, but the operating system and drivers will utilize this extra memory if everything else is filling up. RAM is cheap, fill-er-up!
That's not true.
by R. Proffitt
- 9/27/08 5:20 AM
In reply to: your right but...... by massta
"the operating system and drivers will utilize this extra memory if everything else is filling up"
Sorry but there are very long explanations why this is untrue. The limits are hard and inescapable until you install the 64 bit versions of the OS. I can see why many are confused as bad information like this goes around.
Bob
if you get a good deal on a 2gb stick, go for it
by ramarc - 9/26/08 7:41 AM In reply to: 3 or 4gb RAM? by d.wassonyou'll wind up with about 256mb-384mb more usable ram since the memory map for your hardware devices will hide the top portion of the fourth gig. so, it's not worth paying double for a 2gb stick, but if it's only $20 bucks more, get it and your memory will run a bit faster in dual channel mode.
Go for the 4GB
by Precede - 9/26/08 6:44 PM In reply to: 3 or 4gb RAM? by d.wassonMy company has been building computers for a long time. And we have found that the most important component of the computer is RAM. Even with a fast CPU you'll get poor performance if your RAM is inadequate.
I suggest you go for the 4GB RAM and here are my reasons:
1. More RAM will boost performance on your most memory hungry applications.
2. Windows Vista SP1 will allow you to see & utilize all 4GB RAM. Yes. All 4GB. I've seen this behavior with Vista Business SP1 and Vista Ultimate SP1. This is a very little known fact, but it's true. I'm sure the home versions of Vista have this same behavior, but I haven't confirmed it for Basic and Premium.
3. The more RAM the better!
Happy computing
Not true
by Jimmy Greystone - 9/26/08 7:02 PM In reply to: Go for the 4GB by PrecedeThat's not true. Any 32-bit version of Vista will only allow you to utilize around 3.2GB of RAM. With SP1 it will SHOW that 4GB of RAM is installed, but you will NOT be able to use the bulk of that last 1GB. This is a HARDWARE limitation that CANNOT be overcome by software. It's not simply a matter of using Vista Business or Ultimate, as they are subject to the same hardware limitations.
I would ask you to refrain from spreading false information like this in the future.
Yes, there is a fix..
by lizardo_manson - 9/26/08 7:26 PM In reply to: Not true by Jimmy GreystoneUh..Microsoft already released some time ago a fix for this issue.
The fix I see for 32 bit Versions did nothing more than...
by R. Proffitt - 9/26/08 7:34 PM
In reply to: Yes, there is a fix.. by lizardo_manson
Report the installed RAM. The same old memory limits still are in full force.
The reason was simple. PC makers were flooded with calls about "where's my RAM?"
Bob
If you mean
by Jimmy Greystone - 9/26/08 7:40 PM In reply to: Yes, there is a fix.. by lizardo_mansonIf you mean Vista x64, then yes, you are quite correct. So far as I know however, Microsoft has no plans to support PAE in any 32-bit version of Windows, so I don't know how you plan to overcome the 32-bit addressing limitation. If you know something the rest of the world doesn't, by all means do share. You'll probably be showered with honorary Computer Science doctorates from some very prestigious universities all over the world.
RE:
by lizardo_manson - 9/26/08 7:45 PM In reply to: If you mean by Jimmy Greystoneyup you are right in that. The fix is intended for 64b.
Vista 32 Bit 4 GiG No Trick !!!
by MEXX991 - 9/27/08 1:24 AM In reply to: Not true by Jimmy GreystoneLook Here 
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6448/magicalsnap200809270948vm3.png
4Gb RAM in Vista
by Alresford12 - 9/27/08 2:01 AM In reply to: Vista 32 Bit 4 GiG No Trick !!! by MEXX991Screen shot is showing installed, not used, RAM.
You don't know what HARDWARE means
by Rickanne - 9/27/08 6:23 AM In reply to: Not true by Jimmy GreystoneLook pal. Hardware is not an operating system. Hardware is components of your PC such as motherboard, ram, CPU, harddrive, etc. I personally have run both 32 and 64 bit systems on the same hardware. Motherboard bios will recognize all 4 gigs of installed ram, regardless of whether your OS is 32 or 64 bit. A hardware limit would be if your motherboard is not rated or specified to handle 4 gigs. This would cause the deficit between installed and recognized ram, regardless of your OS. My advice here would be to check with the manufacturer to see if the motherboard can even handle 4 gigs. If not, just buy 1 more gig. If yes, buy 2 more gigs. Modern Windows systems (XP and Vista) will truly report only 3.2 gigs of 4 in a 32 bit setup, but the system does actually use the full 4 when memory is at a premium.
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