More RAM

dc157_1 · 10-27-2008, 07:21 PM

I currently have 2GB of RAM on my computer but I was thinking of bumping it up to 4GB. Is it worth it and how much of a difference will it make?

jjsevdt · 10-27-2008, 08:36 PM

On your computer you won't be able to use all 4GB of memory, I'll explain.

XP Home is a 32bit OS and only capable of addressing a TOTAL of 4GB of memory, but that includes system memory and any on your GPU (I'm assuming at least 512MB).

In order to actually use 4GB of RAM you have to put a 64bit OS.

Cpetrie · 11-06-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjsevdt

On your computer you won't be able to use all 4GB of memory, I'll explain.

XP Home is a 32bit OS and only capable of addressing a TOTAL of 4GB of memory, but that includes system memory and any on your GPU (I'm assuming at least 512MB).

In order to actually use 4GB of RAM you have to put a 64bit OS.

Hate to steal his thread, but I have 4GB of RAM and an 896MB card, does this mean I am not fully utilizing my VGA?

StrangleHold · 11-06-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cpetrie

Hate to steal his thread, but I have 4GB of RAM and an 896MB card, does this mean I am not fully utilizing my VGA?

No, it does not mean that.

ETSA · 10-27-2008, 09:50 PM

You system will still utilize 3.25 to 3.5 gigs, I have a 32 bit OS with 4 GB RAM installed and I noticed a difference, RAM is cheap now, go for it.

dc157_1 · 10-27-2008, 09:53 PM

What OS is 64bit? XP Pro? And yes the video card is 512MB.

ETSA · 10-27-2008, 09:56 PM

Also remember 64 bit OS actually utilize more memory, also, compatibility issues, with games and freeware. Just some things to consider..

dc157_1 · 10-27-2008, 09:58 PM

Thank you good to know!

AlienMenace · 11-06-2008, 08:11 AM

XP Pro x64 and Vista Utilmate or Premium x64 OS. if going to buy a x64 OS. track down all your drivers for your machine. Especially, if you get windows xp pro x64. Only real problem is software company's are slow with there updates. And web cams, if you have one. usually don't have software updates for x64 bit.

Cpetrie · 11-06-2008, 09:49 PM

Alright, thanks.

10-27-2008, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
dc157_1 Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 57	More RAM I currently have 2GB of RAM on my computer but I was thinking of bumping it up to 4GB. Is it worth it and how much of a difference will it make? __________________ CPU Specs CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ MOBO - ASUS M3A RAM - 2.0GB DDR2 GPU - EVGA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB HDD - Maxtor 200GB SATA/300 & Maxtor 200GB SATA/300 OPS - Windows XP Home Edition

10-27-2008, 08:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
jjsevdt Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Age: 26 Posts: 1,135	On your computer you won't be able to use all 4GB of memory, I'll explain. XP Home is a 32bit OS and only capable of addressing a TOTAL of 4GB of memory, but that includes system memory and any on your GPU (I'm assuming at least 512MB). In order to actually use 4GB of RAM you have to put a 64bit OS. __________________ C2D E6420 @ 2.13GHz on AsRock Penryn1600SLI-110dB 4GB DDR2 800 1 - 750GB \| 1 - 1TB HDD PNY nVidia 9600GT Vista Ultimate 64bit All Powered by: RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 530W PSU PSN: JjSeVdT Steam: JjSeVdT

10-27-2008, 09:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
ETSA Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Age: 25 Posts: 2,531	You system will still utilize 3.25 to 3.5 gigs, I have a 32 bit OS with 4 GB RAM installed and I noticed a difference, RAM is cheap now, go for it. __________________ Cooler Master Cosmos 1010 Corsair 850 Watt PSU Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 Intel Core i7 920 @ 3.2 /w Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 3GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600Mhz HD4870x2 2GB DDR5 FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

10-27-2008, 09:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
dc157_1 Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 57	What OS is 64bit? XP Pro? And yes the video card is 512MB. __________________ CPU Specs CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ MOBO - ASUS M3A RAM - 2.0GB DDR2 GPU - EVGA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB HDD - Maxtor 200GB SATA/300 & Maxtor 200GB SATA/300 OPS - Windows XP Home Edition Last edited by dc157_1; 10-27-2008 at 09:56 PM.

10-27-2008, 09:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
ETSA Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Age: 25 Posts: 2,531	Also remember 64 bit OS actually utilize more memory, also, compatibility issues, with games and freeware. Just some things to consider.. __________________ Cooler Master Cosmos 1010 Corsair 850 Watt PSU Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 Intel Core i7 920 @ 3.2 /w Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 3GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600Mhz HD4870x2 2GB DDR5 FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

10-27-2008, 09:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
dc157_1 Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 57	Thank you good to know! __________________ CPU Specs CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ MOBO - ASUS M3A RAM - 2.0GB DDR2 GPU - EVGA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB HDD - Maxtor 200GB SATA/300 & Maxtor 200GB SATA/300 OPS - Windows XP Home Edition

11-06-2008, 08:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
AlienMenace Silver Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 234	XP Pro x64 and Vista Utilmate or Premium x64 OS. if going to buy a x64 OS. track down all your drivers for your machine. Especially, if you get windows xp pro x64. Only real problem is software company's are slow with there updates. And web cams, if you have one. usually don't have software updates for x64 bit. __________________ AsusTek M3A78 MB, ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler 6gb Patriot Extreme's PC667, AMD X2 5200+ Windsor 65w, EVGA 9500 GT (512mb), Sound Blaster Audigy SE, 1 tb Seagate SATA 3.0gb, DVD player and DVD Recorder DL, Dual Boot Windows XP Pro 64bit, and Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RC1.

11-06-2008, 09:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cpetrie Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan, U.S. Age: 19 Posts: 240	Alright, thanks. __________________ Rig Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 Black Aluminum PSU: Rosewill RP600V2-S-SL-S ATX12V 600W MoBo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 CPU: Intel Wolfdale E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz VGA: PNY GeForce GTX260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Windows Vista Home Premium x64

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