How much ram??

Wutz · 11-01-2007, 12:33 PM

My pc can take 4gb of ram, but how much do i really need. I was probably going yto go for 3gb of ram since im getting a geforce 8800 gt and will be playin the latest games full detail.

I was told if i got 4gb the PC only uses 3gb of ram, is this true?

Kornowski · 11-01-2007, 12:38 PM

If you have a 32bit OS then your PC would only see up to 3.25GB of RAM, or around that anyway.

It'd see all the 4GB, but if you had other things in there, like the 8800GT, it'd take that into the total memory, for example, if you had 4GB of RAM installed, and an 8800GT, the GT would be 512MB of the RAM and your computer would only see about 3.5GB.

If you want to see all the 4GB of RAM and have the GT, you'd need a 64bit OS.

3GB is more than enough for today's stuff though, but if you can, 4GB wouldn't hurt

Wutz · 11-01-2007, 02:04 PM

how can i tell if its a 32 or 64 bit OS?

2048Megabytes · 11-01-2007, 02:14 PM

What operating system do you have? Windows XP? If you have Windows XP I can almost guarantee you have a 32-bit operating system.

If you are buying more Random Access Memory I would recommend the brand OCZ. They make good quality memory.

**apj101** · 11-01-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

If you have a 32bit OS then your PC would only see up to 3.25GB

not necessarily 3.25, but it will be in the 3.x range

Wutz · 11-01-2007, 03:18 PM

Ive got Windows XP SP2 Retail and im gonna dual boot it with Windows Vista
probably Retail as well

Im going to use this ram, but i dont know the difference between the two.
The 2GB DDR2-533 Module is slightly more expensive does this mean its better ?

Orca Part Code PACKARD BELL iMEDIA 1529 /2-B111/A
Description 2GB DDR2-667 Module

PACKARD BELL IMEDIA 1529/22533-B105/A
2GB DDR2-533 Module

diduknowthat · 11-01-2007, 11:36 PM

NO, it's just because it's probably some proprietary brand. Go to newegg and pick up some DDR2-800 ram, they're VERY cheap. You can get a decent 1 gig stick for less than $30 without MIR.

b3rt_d4ni3l · 11-02-2007, 05:12 PM

What is the RAM you have right now? If you are getting DDR2-800 from newegg but your RAM is not DDR2-800, it would be a waste. Get CPU-Z to determine the speed of your RAM first and buy one that is the same speed as yours.

11-01-2007, 12:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wutz New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 11	How much ram?? My pc can take 4gb of ram, but how much do i really need. I was probably going yto go for 3gb of ram since im getting a geforce 8800 gt and will be playin the latest games full detail. I was told if i got 4gb the PC only uses 3gb of ram, is this true?

11-01-2007, 12:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kornowski VIP - Graphics Guru Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool, UK Age: 19 Posts: 16,155	If you have a 32bit OS then your PC would only see up to 3.25GB of RAM, or around that anyway. It'd see all the 4GB, but if you had other things in there, like the 8800GT, it'd take that into the total memory, for example, if you had 4GB of RAM installed, and an 8800GT, the GT would be 512MB of the RAM and your computer would only see about 3.5GB. If you want to see all the 4GB of RAM and have the GT, you'd need a 64bit OS. 3GB is more than enough for today's stuff though, but if you can, 4GB wouldn't hurt __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 3.4Ghz EVGA 750i SLI FTW 4GB Crucial Ballistix 2 X 8800GTS G92 in SLI @ 734/1890/972 Corsair HX520W Windows 7 Profesional 64bit Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200.11 & WD 120GB Tuniq Tower LED Antec 900 (Modded) Acer 24" and Samsung 19" Monitors DH Biking - Because Golf and Football only require one ball. www.kornowski.tk

11-01-2007, 02:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
2048Megabytes Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mainland United States Posts: 2,294	What operating system do you have? Windows XP? If you have Windows XP I can almost guarantee you have a 32-bit operating system. If you are buying more Random Access Memory I would recommend the brand OCZ. They make good quality memory. __________________ "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." -- Benjamin Franklin Operating Systems: Linux Ubuntu 9.04 and Windows Vista Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS Video Card: MSI R3650-T2D512 OC Radeon HD 3650 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-M78SM-S2H Memory: Super Talent PC2-6400 2 gigabytes Processor: Phenom 9550 Quad-Core (2.2 gigahertz)

11-01-2007, 11:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
diduknowthat formerly liuliuboy Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Massachusetts Age: 19 Posts: 7,496	NO, it's just because it's probably some proprietary brand. Go to newegg and pick up some DDR2-800 ram, they're VERY cheap. You can get a decent 1 gig stick for less than $30 without MIR. __________________ Media - Gaming Hybrid PC Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 4GB G.Skill DDR2 800 Memory \| 400GB WD SATA HD eVGA 8800GT 512mb Graphics Card X-Fi Xtrememusic Sound Card Hauppauge HVR 1800 MCE TV Tuner Scythe Ninja \| AC Accelero S1 Passive heatsink CM Elite 340 mATX Case \| Noctua NF-S12 Fans liusland - myminicity

11-02-2007, 05:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
b3rt_d4ni3l Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 946	What is the RAM you have right now? If you are getting DDR2-800 from newegg but your RAM is not DDR2-800, it would be a waste. Get CPU-Z to determine the speed of your RAM first and buy one that is the same speed as yours. __________________ Laptop: Gateway P-7805u FX Edition

11-01-2007, 02:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Wutz New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 11	how can i tell if its a 32 or 64 bit OS?

11-01-2007, 03:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wutz New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 11	Ive got Windows XP SP2 Retail and im gonna dual boot it with Windows Vista probably Retail as well Im going to use this ram, but i dont know the difference between the two. The 2GB DDR2-533 Module is slightly more expensive does this mean its better ? Orca Part Code PACKARD BELL iMEDIA 1529 /2-B111/A Description 2GB DDR2-667 Module PACKARD BELL IMEDIA 1529/22533-B105/A 2GB DDR2-533 Module

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