Windows RAM limit?

pepiman

Hey guys

Someone has to explain this to me without using gigantic words...

If I am running Windows XP Pro (32-bit) on an AMD X2 6000+ with 4GB of RAM.... what does that mean in terms of limitations?

I have 2 kits of 2gb of OCZ 800mhz ram (so 1gb-1gb-1gb-1gb)

Will I be limited to 2 or 3gb or something?
The explanations I've found on the net are not extra clear...


Thanks

pepiman

No replies... things are looking grim... Should I just go ahead and install Windows Vista 64bit Ultimate?

temeteus82

32-bit windows can only utilize 3 Gb RAM 64-bit windows can have much more

Dyre Straits

You seriously expected a reply within an hour on a work day?

temeteus82

I would use money to something else than Vista Ultimate edition

pepiman

Well I'm convinced on installing Vista 64... maybe Home since Ultimate doesn't offer that much over Home edition...
Seems like SP1 has more and more drivers etc... and Vista 64 is the way to go !

CDsDontBurn

actually, it all depends on how much TOTAL memory you have. so, for example, if you have 2x8800 GTX cards in SLI & 4GB of system memory, that's a total of 5.5GB of total memory throughout the system. If that's the case, your 32bit OS will only recognize 2.5GB of system memory. However, if you have a 128MB video card, windows will recognize 3.75GB of memory or so.

it's weird how it works. so yea. if you want to use all 4GB of system memory w/o any fuss, go winXP x64 or vista x64 to use all that memory. but you'll have the downside of not every program being compatible w/an x64 based OS. so, choose your poison

pepiman

ok but those "programs who won't run on vista 64" ... they can be run using the compatibility mode right?

temeteus82

Yeah there might be some issues running them in the WOW64 mode what is in use in x64 windows.

Yeah the windows will know what programs are 32-bit and use the WOW64 mode straight away so you don't need to do anything ...

Matth

If Vista 64 would dual boot without too many complications, then you could have the best of both worlds...

64 bit to make the most of the RAM and memory map (also for 32 bit applications which are virtual space compromised).
AnandTech: A Messy Transition: Practical Problems With 32bit Addressing In Windows - this discusses some problems and solutions related to the address space limitation.

An alternative 32 bit OS, for things which don't like Vista or WOW64

PangingJr

i used to have both Vista 32-bit and 64-bit during they were beta, but have not tried in the release versions since i will need to have another Vista's licence. personally, i think there is not too many complications to dual boot them if needed, and based on my past experience the dual booting is not a self-complicating system at all.


as for about answering the op's original question, this below Microsoft article may not explain well, however, this is more about 4 GB of RAM installed and Vista

-- The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

this below article talks about the set PAE forceenable. i personally don't recommend using this method, the Windows system may not stable due to problem of some device drivers.

- Feed 4 GB of RAM to 32-bit Windows Vista - No more memory limitations - Softpedia

pepiman

I've installed Vista x64 Ultimate.
Every program I use seems to be fine except for:

- Crap Cleaner ... cleaning the registry doesn't seem to work since the same issues show up on the next scan
- Nero ... well Nero StartSmart doesn't work, but everything else does
- Logitech Webcam (QuickCam Communicate) -- logitech is too lame to make vista drivers --- they've lost many customers.



Everything else seems perfect