RAM for 32bit OS

Kewl Munky

New Member
I was talking to my dad's friend, and he said you really can't get use out of more than 4GB of RAM on a 32bit OS. He said your computer will only use just a little under 4GB, but I think I heard him say something about if you have more than 4GB your computer will just turn it into cache.

So is it true that your computer just turns it into cache? If so, is it useful at all? If not I might just sell my old DDR2 2GB dual channel kit when I get my new 4GB set. Or do you think I should look into getting a 64bit OS? I know I don't want to get vista with all the bugs and there are probably almost no drivers out for anything I'll have.

Opinions, facts, anything?
 
First off, why would you need 4gb of ram? Do you do a lot of rendering or CAD? I would buy a 64bit OS as your next OS because 32bit will be obsolete in a few years due to the memory limitation. A 32bit OS can only address a little under 4gb, like you said, but the rest won't be cached, it won't be used at all.
 
I do a lot of high end gaming and 3D rendering in Cinema 4D, so RAM is a must.

Do you think it's a good idea to buy Vista 64 bit, or to wait until they fix more bugs in vista?
 
I would just go ahead and buy it. Service Pack 1 came out for vista not too long ago and it fixed a lot of bugs. BTW, no game out to date needs more then 2gb of ram.
 
But I do 3D rendering in Cinema 4D, so I think I'll get it.

Also, is there an easier way to check if my drivers work with vista than looking them up?
 
Just get it. I'm running 32-bit Vista and I'm up'ing to 4GB RAM. It is better for you to have it then not. You can always upgrade. That includes your OS to 64-Bit.
 
I would just go ahead and buy it. Service Pack 1 came out for vista not too long ago and it fixed a lot of bugs. BTW, no game out to date needs more then 2gb of ram.
If you are using Vista then you can use more then 2GB of RAM, especially if you have a few programs/processes running in the background.

The 32 bit version of Vista do only see a bit under 4GB of RAM, but no, the storage lost is not turned into a form of cache.
 
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