4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista

[JC]

I have 4GB of physical RAM, windows vista shows only 3326MB. Does it really
help with performance if I have 4GB or should I just install 3GB memory? I
just bought the additional 2GB memory (had 2GB before) and wondering if I
should exchange for a 1GB one. Thanks.

 

[Tom Lake]

I have 4GB of physical RAM, windows vista shows only 3326MB. Does it really
help with performance if I have 4GB or should I just install 3GB memory? I
just bought the additional 2GB memory (had 2GB before) and wondering if I
should exchange for a 1GB one. Thanks.

If your motherboard is dual-channel capable, install memory in pairs.
3 GB is OK if you install 1 GB, 1 GB, 512 MB, 512 MB

If you don't install in pairs, you won't get the benefit of Dual-channel.

Tom Lake

 

[Cal Bear '66]

If it is dual channel memory, you definitely do NOT want to use just one 1GB
stick. Leave well enough alone -- at least you got 1/3 G of RAM more, and RAM
is cheap now (about $US 50/G) -- or install Vista x64 and if your motherboard
supports it you can use all 4GB.


I Bleed Blue and Gold
GO BEARS!

 

[JC]

Thanks. But this doesn't seem to answer my question.

I want to know if I should have 3BG or 4GB installed and whether the
additional 1Gb will help with the performance given that vista only show
3.3GB when I have 4GB installed.

I have two 1GB DD2 dual channel installed. I think that I have a choice of
two 1GB or two 512MB extra installed.

 

[Tom Lake]

Thanks. But this doesn't seem to answer my question.

I want to know if I should have 3BG or 4GB installed and whether the
additional 1Gb will help with the performance given that vista only show
3.3GB when I have 4GB installed.

I have two 1GB DD2 dual channel installed. I think that I have a choice of
two 1GB or two 512MB extra installed.

You won't notice a difference between the two if you have memory in pairs.
If you already have two 1 GB sticks and two 512 MB sticks, use 'em,
otherwise
I'd go for the four 1 GB sticks and get the absolute maximum memory usage
I could.

Tom Lake

 

[Curious]

If you can install 3GB and get Vista to recognize it then there is almost no
benefit to installing 4GB and only have 3.2GB of it used by the OS with the
address space for the remainder being used to support hardware controller
cards which have their own memory

 

[AJR]

This is one of those topics that keeps popping up and can be answered by
"reviewing" previous posts.

Article #929605, Support.com, addresses all your questions including a "Work
around". Following are two quotes from the article:

1. 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.

2. WORKAROUND
For Windows Vista to use all 4 GB of memory on a computer that has 4 GB of
memory installed, the computer must meet the following requirements: (note
therre are several "steps" listed in the article - one of which must be a 64
bit processor).

 

[Tim Slattery]

I have 4GB of physical RAM, windows vista shows only 3326MB. Does it really
help with performance if I have 4GB or should I just install 3GB memory? I
just bought the additional 2GB memory (had 2GB before) and wondering if I
should exchange for a 1GB one. Thanks.

It's normal for 32-bit Vista (or any other 32-bit system) not to see
the entire 4GB. Some of the 4GB address space must be used to access
video memory, BIOS, etc. See http://members.cox.net/slatteryt/RAM.html

You computer is currently sees and is able to use 3326MB. If you have
only 3GB installed, it will be able to see and use only that much.
Whether you're actually using and benefiting from that extra 326MB is
another question. You probably won't notice the difference.

You should read your motherboard or system manual before making a move
here. As others have said, memory sticks often need to be installed in
balanced pairs.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have 4GB of physical RAM, windows vista shows only 3326MB. Does it really
help with performance if I have 4GB or should I just install 3GB memory? I
just bought the additional 2GB memory (had 2GB before) and wondering if I
should exchange for a 1GB one. Thanks.

Two points:

1. All 32-bit versions of Windows (XP as well as Vista), even though
they have a 4GB address space, can only use *around* 3.1GB of RAM.
That's because some of that space is used by hardware and not
available to the operating system and applications. The amount you can
use varies, depending on what hardware you have installed, but is
usually around 3.1GB.

2. How much you need or good performance, or can make effective use
of, is *not* a one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance
if the amount of RAM you have keeps you from using the page file, and
that depends on what apps you run.

For most people running common business applications in Vista,
somewhere in the range of 1-2GB is sufficient, and any more than that
will do nothing for you. Installing more RAM than is necessary is a
waste of money.

On the other hand if you do things like editing large photographic
images, more RAM will very likely be beneficial.

 

[Brett I. Holcomb]

Well, 32 bit systems can only address 4 gig but they use some of it
for add-on cards, etc. The difference between 4 gig and what you have
is what the system uses. If you have 3 gig instead of 4 you loose
some so you have less than 3 gig so yes, with 4 gig you have more
available.

 

[Ian D]

I have 4GB of physical RAM, windows vista shows only 3326MB. Does it really
help with performance if I have 4GB or should I just install 3GB memory? I
just bought the additional 2GB memory (had 2GB before) and wondering if I
should exchange for a 1GB one. Thanks.

Since you already have the 4 GB, stick with it. If you ever decide to go
64 bit you're all set. Since memory specs are always evolving it may
be difficult to find matching RAM in the future, and older less available
RAM usually goes up in price.

 

[Gene K]

About any question pertaining to Windows RAM is answered On Crucial's site.
Start here: http://www.crucial.com/support/index.aspx?tabid=sc1 .

Gene K

 

[Joe]

Perhaps you can help me. This is a different issue. I downloaded Itunes and
it said it was not installed correctly on my Vista 64 operating system. I
reinstalled it a total of three times and even did a "repair" install from
Microsofts "install/delete" control. Now it will not install at all. Any
ideas?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

If I recall correctly, Itunes' software is not 64-bit compatible. Until they
release a version that is, you cannot use it on an x64 system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Que$tions]

Exchange!

 

[Kyle]

Okay. I'm having the same problem. I just installed 2 more gig on top of my 2
gig on my rig and not only does vista say that it is 3.5 gig, but it keeps
crashing and is acting really odd. I've gotten the Blue screen many times. It
isn't the new ram because bios loves it and my mobo supports up to 8 gig.
Dxdiag tells me that my geforce 8600gt xxx has 1774 mb of ram when I have the
4 gig ram installed but I'm still crashing. I even took out one of my 1 gig
sticks and I am still crashing. I am running 32 bit vista ultimate and can't
exactly afford to go out and buy a 64 bit vista. I have tried all the updates
with no results. So what is a solution to my hangups? Thanks in advance.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Since you don't say what hardware your using, esp which mobo and what memory
modules, the only advice is to go to the mobo manufacturer's website and
review the information on tested ram and any limitations of the mobo. There
should be a user forum on that website devoted to your mobo. This is
probably the number one issue on those forums because it is an issue often
seen here. There are many threads on your issue already started on this
newsgroup and you should review those.

 

[MICHAEL]

Colin,

It is a pleasure to see you back... I really mean that.

I hope you are doing well, and I hope you plan to stick
around.

Take care,

Michael

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Health is better. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

 

[MICHAEL]

I'm so happy to hear that, Colin.
Absolutely thrilled to see you back.

Please, pardon the bragging;

Folks, Colin is one of the most helpful MVPs you will
ever encounter. He helped so many of us through
the Vista beta period and through the the early months
after Vista's RTM. Knowledgeable in so many areas, too.
He's also brilliant with using various virtual machines/vhds.


-Michael