Windows 32-bit max RAM ??

the$#!Za. · 10-31-2008, 02:38 PM

Hi all.

I have read in numerous places that Windows 32-bit systems, XP or Vista, can only handle and report a maximum limit of 3GB RAM/memory.... is this true please ??

Thanks,
Ash.

wonderwrench · 10-31-2008, 07:35 PM

4 gigs but only approx 3.25 gigs can be used by programs.

the$#!Za. · 11-03-2008, 01:45 PM

Thanks wonderwrench for confirming. So why do people bother getting higher than 3 GB ?? or 4GB if your're very fussy for the extra .25.

Is Windows 64-bit pointless for desktop users ??

Cheers,
Ash.

devSpeed · 11-03-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the$#!Za.

Is Windows 64-bit pointless for desktop users ??

It depends on your computer workload. If you run many high resource apps and/or virtual OS's then 64-bit is almost a requirement for the extra memory headroom it provides.

At this point in the game I wouldn't go 32-bit unless I had hardware or applications that were known to be incompatible. Except maybe for a netbook then 32-bit probably makes more sense.

XJ. · 11-03-2008, 04:08 PM

If you use allot of memory, go with 4 gig, so that you can have matched DIMMs for the best dual channel performance.

spookyload · 11-03-2008, 10:41 PM

With the release of SP1 for Vista, it will show you have 4Gb installed in computer properties now.

the$#!Za. · 11-07-2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the replies. So I was just curious, why do so many people using Intel Core 2 Duo run more than 4GB's ?? Are they using Windows 64-bit ??

Cheers,
Ash.

wonderwrench · 11-07-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the$#!Za.

Thanks for the replies. So I was just curious, why do so many people using Intel Core 2 Duo run more than 4GB's ?? Are they using Windows 64-bit ??

Cheers,
Ash.

Yes, that would be my guess.

Drufuss · 11-07-2008, 05:20 PM

I have opensuse 64bit and Vista home premium 64bit indstalled, parallel to my XP 32bit installation.
Compared to XP, and in the case of linux compared to older 32bit installations, i must say that i'm very pleased with them, and that i think to profit from the additional 4GB ram i installed recently.

Greetings

Dru

the$#!Za. · 11-08-2008, 09:24 AM

Thanks for the replies, confirmed. I'm waiting to buy the Intel Nehalem to build new PC and am going Vista Ultimate for sure, but just didn't know wether I should install 32-bit version or 64-bit, but I might as well go 64-bit.

Cheers all,
Ash.

the$#!Za. · 11-08-2008, 09:29 AM

Thanks for the replies, confirmed. I'm waiting to buy the Intel Nehalem to build new PC and am going Vista Ultimate for sure, but just didn't know wether I should install 32-bit version or 64-bit, but I might as well go 64-bit.

Quote:

CUSL2-C ruled! ..äh... RulEd!

Wasn't it the best ?? I have my old ASUS CUSL2-C just sitting here but I'm about to throw it away

Have to move on.

Cheers all,
Ash.

Drufuss · 11-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the$#!Za.

Wasn't it the best ?? I have my old ASUS CUSL2-C just sitting here but I'm about to throw it away

Have to move on.

I was using mine until last year (with a Tualatin @ 1.6GHz and a XT1950 agp-card). Did you know that this forum was called CUSL2C.com in the past?

Greetings

Dru

P.S.: I'd go 64 bit.

XJ. · 11-08-2008, 05:28 PM

Go with 64bit, IMHO. With applications getting bigger and bigger, I find I'm eating up ram like crazy (Vista is a memory hog). I've got 4GB, and will probably go to 8GB this winter.

the$#!Za. · 11-09-2008, 01:00 PM

Sorry for the double post, my net glitched

Yea definitely will go 64-bit, and I'm getting 6GB Triple Channel memory which is 3 x 2GB sticks, should be plenty.

Quote:

I was using mine until last year (with a Tualatin @ 1.6GHz and a XT1950 agp-card). Did you know that this forum was called CUSL2C.com in the past?

Dru are you serious ?? I mean I knew the CUSL2-C was popular, but not that popular! I feel a bit special all of a sudden. I don't know if I should throw it out now.
To tell you the truth though, since then, even a while before, I've always bought ASUS motherboards and have never looked back. Currently have one on order for the new Intels

Quote:

Go with 64bit, IMHO. With applications getting bigger and bigger, I find I'm eating up ram like crazy (Vista is a memory hog). I've got 4GB, and will probably go to 8GB this winter.

Thanks for the heads up. It's SO screwed though, I have like mastered my Windows XP pro all these years, with tweaks, settings etc. All my back-up files, drivers etc are for XP Pro and not only that, it's 32-bit anyways

Vista is a must though.

Cheers,
Ash.

Sir Skully · 11-13-2008, 12:24 PM

Here's a good run down on Vista 64 and Vista 32 using 8gig and 4gig of ram.
Tom's hardware site. I've posted this in another thread also.....

Vista Workshop: More RAM, More Speed : Windows Vista With 8 GB - Tom's Hardware

10-31-2008, 02:38 PM	#1
the$#!Za. Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 99	Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? Hi all. I have read in numerous places that Windows 32-bit systems, XP or Vista, can only handle and report a maximum limit of 3GB RAM/memory.... is this true please ?? Thanks, Ash. __________________ Don't ask one to be Three. Processor: Intel Core i7 Nehalem - 2.66Ghz, 8MB Cache PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 750W Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe RAM: Corsair 6GB DDR3 (3x2GB) Triple Kit 1333Mhz Hard Drives: 2 x Seagate SATA-II 160GB in RAID-0 for OS, Seagate SATA-II 500GB, Seagate SATA 80GB. DVD Burners: 2 x Pioneer SATA DVR-216 Monitor: Fujitsu 50" Plasma P50XHA40US Video Card: Asus 4870X2 DDR5 2GB Sound Card: SB Audigy 4 (PCI) Optical output Keyboard: Logitech iTouch Mouse: Razer Copperhead Speakers: Logitech Z-680 5.1 Surround 500-RMS Modem: Netcomm NB8W ADSL2+ Router TV Tuner: DVICO (PCI) Dual Digital 4 twin HD tuners Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
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10-31-2008, 07:35 PM	#2
wonderwrench ABXpert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mpls MN Posts: 1,614	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? 4 gigs but only approx 3.25 gigs can be used by programs. __________________ C2Q Q6600 @ 3 GhzMSI P35 Neo2-FR bios 1.104x 2 gig Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 ramEvga 8800GT SSC SATA HD's 1 Seagate 320 gig, 1 Samsung 320 gig LiteOn sohw-1693sPlextor PX 716aTeac FloppyOCZ 700GXSSLI PSU* Rosewill R6AR6-BK case*XP pro sp3 32 bit\Vista Ultimate 64 bit Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.
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11-03-2008, 01:45 PM	#3
the$#!Za. Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 99	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? Thanks wonderwrench for confirming. So why do people bother getting higher than 3 GB ?? or 4GB if your're very fussy for the extra .25. Is Windows 64-bit pointless for desktop users ?? Cheers, Ash. __________________ Don't ask one to be Three. Processor: Intel Core i7 Nehalem - 2.66Ghz, 8MB Cache PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 750W Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe RAM: Corsair 6GB DDR3 (3x2GB) Triple Kit 1333Mhz Hard Drives: 2 x Seagate SATA-II 160GB in RAID-0 for OS, Seagate SATA-II 500GB, Seagate SATA 80GB. DVD Burners: 2 x Pioneer SATA DVR-216 Monitor: Fujitsu 50" Plasma P50XHA40US Video Card: Asus 4870X2 DDR5 2GB Sound Card: SB Audigy 4 (PCI) Optical output Keyboard: Logitech iTouch Mouse: Razer Copperhead Speakers: Logitech Z-680 5.1 Surround 500-RMS Modem: Netcomm NB8W ADSL2+ Router TV Tuner: DVICO (PCI) Dual Digital 4 twin HD tuners Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
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11-03-2008, 04:08 PM	#5
XJ. ... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NH, USA Posts: 6,113	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? If you use allot of memory, go with 4 gig, so that you can have matched DIMMs for the best dual channel performance. __________________
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11-03-2008, 10:41 PM	#6
spookyload IN-n-Out Expert Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Probably stuck in Iraq! Posts: 2,927	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? With the release of SP1 for Vista, it will show you have 4Gb installed in computer properties now.
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11-07-2008, 11:51 AM	#7
the$#!Za. Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 99	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? Thanks for the replies. So I was just curious, why do so many people using Intel Core 2 Duo run more than 4GB's ?? Are they using Windows 64-bit ?? Cheers, Ash. __________________ Don't ask one to be Three. Processor: Intel Core i7 Nehalem - 2.66Ghz, 8MB Cache PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 750W Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe RAM: Corsair 6GB DDR3 (3x2GB) Triple Kit 1333Mhz Hard Drives: 2 x Seagate SATA-II 160GB in RAID-0 for OS, Seagate SATA-II 500GB, Seagate SATA 80GB. DVD Burners: 2 x Pioneer SATA DVR-216 Monitor: Fujitsu 50" Plasma P50XHA40US Video Card: Asus 4870X2 DDR5 2GB Sound Card: SB Audigy 4 (PCI) Optical output Keyboard: Logitech iTouch Mouse: Razer Copperhead Speakers: Logitech Z-680 5.1 Surround 500-RMS Modem: Netcomm NB8W ADSL2+ Router TV Tuner: DVICO (PCI) Dual Digital 4 twin HD tuners Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
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11-07-2008, 05:20 PM	#9
Drufuss CUSL2-C -> P5Q ? Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Österreich Posts: 2,794	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? I have opensuse 64bit and Vista home premium 64bit indstalled, parallel to my XP 32bit installation. Compared to XP, and in the case of linux compared to older 32bit installations, i must say that i'm very pleased with them, and that i think to profit from the additional 4GB ram i installed recently. Greetings Dru __________________ System specs: Asus P5Q Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 GHz @ 3.42 GHz 4 x 2GB DDR2-Ram PC2-1066 Corsair Dominator @ 800MHz 3 x Seagate 7200.ESII 500GB SATA Sapphire HD4870X2 2048MB Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS, Hauppauge HVR4000 DVB-S/S2/T, Dlink DWL-G510, Logitech Z-5450 5.1 THX Wireless Enermax Modu82+ 625W Win XP MCE 2005, openSuse Linux 11 64bit, Vista Home Premium 64bit CUSL2-C ruled! ..äh... RulEd! Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.
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11-08-2008, 09:24 AM	#10
the$#!Za. Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 99	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? Thanks for the replies, confirmed. I'm waiting to buy the Intel Nehalem to build new PC and am going Vista Ultimate for sure, but just didn't know wether I should install 32-bit version or 64-bit, but I might as well go 64-bit. Cheers all, Ash. __________________ Don't ask one to be Three. Processor: Intel Core i7 Nehalem - 2.66Ghz, 8MB Cache PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 750W Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe RAM: Corsair 6GB DDR3 (3x2GB) Triple Kit 1333Mhz Hard Drives: 2 x Seagate SATA-II 160GB in RAID-0 for OS, Seagate SATA-II 500GB, Seagate SATA 80GB. DVD Burners: 2 x Pioneer SATA DVR-216 Monitor: Fujitsu 50" Plasma P50XHA40US Video Card: Asus 4870X2 DDR5 2GB Sound Card: SB Audigy 4 (PCI) Optical output Keyboard: Logitech iTouch Mouse: Razer Copperhead Speakers: Logitech Z-680 5.1 Surround 500-RMS Modem: Netcomm NB8W ADSL2+ Router TV Tuner: DVICO (PCI) Dual Digital 4 twin HD tuners Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
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11-08-2008, 05:28 PM	#13
XJ. ... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NH, USA Posts: 6,113	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? Go with 64bit, IMHO. With applications getting bigger and bigger, I find I'm eating up ram like crazy (Vista is a memory hog). I've got 4GB, and will probably go to 8GB this winter. __________________
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11-13-2008, 12:24 PM	#15
Sir Skully ABX KNIGHT EXEMPLAR Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA-GA Posts: 26,209	Re: Windows 32-bit max RAM ?? Here's a good run down on Vista 64 and Vista 32 using 8gig and 4gig of ram. Tom's hardware site. I've posted this in another thread also..... Vista Workshop: More RAM, More Speed : Windows Vista With 8 GB - Tom's Hardware __________________ .....................................................................................................................
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