Which Windows detects 4GB+ RAM?

JohnJSal · 03-17-2008, 09:11 PM

First off, what I know is that 32-bit XP can't detect more than 4GB. Can it detect 4, or is it just 3GB?

What I don't know is if 32-bit Vista can detect 3/4GB+, or is there even a 32-bit Vista at all?

Just trying to figure out the "rules" for how much RAM is detected under what version of which OS.

[-0MEGA-] · 03-17-2008, 09:17 PM

Generally you will see anywhere from 2.5-3.2GB of RAM when you have 4GB of RAM installed, it depends on how much memory is allocated to all the other components in your system. And yes they do make 32 bit versions of Vista.

JohnJSal · 03-17-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [-0MEGA-]

Generally you will see anywhere from 2.5-3.2GB of RAM when you have 4GB of RAM installed, it depends on how much memory is allocated to all the other components in your system. And yes they do make 32 bit versions of Vista.

What do you mean by how much memory is allocated to other components?

And for 64-bit versions, you'll see whatever the full amount is?

g25racer · 03-17-2008, 09:22 PM

Yes all 32 bit vista's can detect about 3-3.5gb of ram and thats it. 64bit vista's can detect 16gb of ram but that is way more than you would need anyway.

[-0MEGA-] · 03-17-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g25racer

Yes all 32 bit vista's can detect about 3-3.5gb of ram and thats it. 64bit vista's can detect 16gb of ram but that is way more than you would need anyway.

They can detect up to 128GB.

Quote:

What do you mean by how much memory is allocated to other components?

And for 64-bit versions, you'll see whatever the full amount is?

The main component is the video card, as that would basically be subtracted from the 4GB, as well as any other components that require mapped memory.

A 64 bit OS can see up to 128GB, however I'm sure theres a similar issue where it may only see 127GB or something.

JohnJSal · 03-17-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [-0MEGA-]

The main component is the video card, as that would basically be subtracted from the 4GB, as well as any other components that require mapped memory.

But if you have a dedicated video card, why would you see less than your actual amount of RAM?

TFT · 03-17-2008, 09:58 PM

It's the way Vista maps out it's memory

Taken from Microsoft site
For example, if you have a video card that has 256 MB of onboard memory, that memory must be mapped within the first 4 GB of address space. If 4 GB of system memory is already installed, part of that address space must be reserved by the graphics memory mapping. Graphics memory mapping overwrites a part of the system memory. These conditions reduce the total amount of system memory that is available to the operating system.

The reduction in available system memory depends on the devices that are installed in the computer. However, to avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to 3.12 GB. See the "More information" section for information about potential driver compatibility issues.

If a computer has many installed devices, the available memory may be reduced to 3 GB or less. However, the maximum memory available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista is typically 3.12 GB.

JohnJSal · 03-17-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFT

It's the way Vista maps out it's memory

Taken from Microsoft site
For example, if you have a video card that has 256 MB of onboard memory, that memory must be mapped within the first 4 GB of address space. If 4 GB of system memory is already installed, part of that address space must be reserved by the graphics memory mapping. Graphics memory mapping overwrites a part of the system memory. These conditions reduce the total amount of system memory that is available to the operating system.

The reduction in available system memory depends on the devices that are installed in the computer. However, to avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to 3.12 GB. See the "More information" section for information about potential driver compatibility issues.

If a computer has many installed devices, the available memory may be reduced to 3 GB or less. However, the maximum memory available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista is typically 3.12 GB.

Yikes, sounds inefficient.

TFT · 03-17-2008, 10:02 PM

Here's the full article if your'e bored

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

JohnJSal · 03-17-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFT

Here's the full article if your'e bored

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

lol, actually I *am* bored. ::click::

EDIT: This article applies to XP too, right?

03-17-2008, 09:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoboken, NJ Age: 29 Posts: 527	Which Windows detects 4GB+ RAM? First off, what I know is that 32-bit XP can't detect more than 4GB. Can it detect 4, or is it just 3GB? What I don't know is if 32-bit Vista can detect 3/4GB+, or is there even a 32-bit Vista at all? Just trying to figure out the "rules" for how much RAM is detected under what version of which OS. __________________ Case: Antec P182 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800GT (512MB) RAM: Kingston ValueRAM (1GB x 2) Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtremegamer / Logitech X-230 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB) Optical: Samsung 20x DVD burner PSU: Corsair HX620 Monitor: LG 22" L226WTQ-BF

03-17-2008, 09:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,988	Generally you will see anywhere from 2.5-3.2GB of RAM when you have 4GB of RAM installed, it depends on how much memory is allocated to all the other components in your system. And yes they do make 32 bit versions of Vista. __________________ Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.1GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 (800/1900) 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 960 750GB SATAII w/32MB Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 22605 www.photosbygeoff.com

03-17-2008, 09:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
g25racer Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hamilton, MI Posts: 3,943	Yes all 32 bit vista's can detect about 3-3.5gb of ram and thats it. 64bit vista's can detect 16gb of ram but that is way more than you would need anyway. __________________ CPU - AMD Athlon 64x2 5200+ @ 2.6ghz Ram - 2GB Stock clock HD - 320gb seagate & Samsung 750gb 32mb cache GPU - XFX 8600GT XXX Zalman @ 680 or 700mhz PSU - Ultra X-finity 600watt OS - Vista Home Premium(32) & Ubuntu (8.04) Ultimate Ed Audio - JVC 460watts Control - Logitech G25 Wheel & Logitech Rumblepad 2 Games - GTR2 and LFS -- Race Sim's for Life --

03-17-2008, 09:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
TFT VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 2,475	It's the way Vista maps out it's memory Taken from Microsoft site For example, if you have a video card that has 256 MB of onboard memory, that memory must be mapped within the first 4 GB of address space. If 4 GB of system memory is already installed, part of that address space must be reserved by the graphics memory mapping. Graphics memory mapping overwrites a part of the system memory. These conditions reduce the total amount of system memory that is available to the operating system. The reduction in available system memory depends on the devices that are installed in the computer. However, to avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to 3.12 GB. See the "More information" section for information about potential driver compatibility issues. If a computer has many installed devices, the available memory may be reduced to 3 GB or less. However, the maximum memory available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista is typically 3.12 GB. __________________ Operator: Dave Operating System: XP Professional SP2 Processor: Intel E6750 Core Duo@3.20GHz Graphics: Nvidia 8500GT C: Drive 500GB D: Drive 250GB Memory: 2GB

03-17-2008, 10:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
TFT VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 2,475	Here's the full article if your'e bored http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605 __________________ Operator: Dave Operating System: XP Professional SP2 Processor: Intel E6750 Core Duo@3.20GHz Graphics: Nvidia 8500GT C: Drive 500GB D: Drive 250GB Memory: 2GB

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