Amount of Memory

[Jasper Recto]

How much memory can Vista handle? Is there still a 3GB limit on memory for
Vista.

Do you need to have Vista 64Bit to be able to utilize more memory?

Thanks
Jasper

 

[Alias]

How much memory can Vista handle? Is there still a 3GB limit on memory for
Vista.
Yep.

Do you need to have Vista 64Bit to be able to utilize more memory?
Yep.

Thanks
Jasper

You're welcome.

Alias

 

[John]

How much memory can Vista handle?

Depends on the version
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx#physical_memory_limits_windows_vista

Is there still a 3GB limit on memory for Vista.

The 32bit version has a 4GB limit but only 3.xGB is recognized.

Do you need to have Vista 64Bit to be able to utilize more memory?

Yes (see above link)

 

[ray]

How much memory can Vista handle? Is there still a 3GB limit on memory
for Vista.

about 3.2 to 3.5, actually.

Do you need to have Vista 64Bit to be able to utilize more memory?

For vista, yes. For other OSs, no. For example, 32 bit Linux and some of
the ms server versions will handle up to 64gb.

 

[webster72n]

about 3.2 to 3.5, actually.


For vista, yes. For other OSs, no. For example, 32 bit Linux and some of
the ms server versions will handle up to 64gb.

That begs the question, why such a huge differential and the limited
capacity in Windows Vista in comparison?

Harry.

 

[ray]

That begs the question, why such a huge differential and the limited
capacity in Windows Vista in comparison?

PAE (see wikipedia - page address extension) is a methodoloty for
allowing 32 bit systems access to larger than 4gb address space - though
still only 4gb at any given instant. Think page swapping, if you know
about that.

The MS desktop systems do not support PAE - their server systems can, and
Linux does (desktop as well as server).

 

[webster72n]

PAE (see wikipedia - page address extension) is a methodoloty for
allowing 32 bit systems access to larger than 4gb address space - though
still only 4gb at any given instant. Think page swapping, if you know
about that.

The MS desktop systems do not support PAE -

just plain meanness, if you asked me...
and thanks...

 

[Saucy]

Typically, install 4GB for the 32-bit versions and as much as you want for
64-bit Windows. Some 32-bit OSes can be specially configured to make use of
up to 64GB of physical RAM, but out-of-the-box you will want up to 4GB RAM
for a machine running 32-bit Windows and a bigger wallop for a machine
running 64-bit Windows. I only installed 8GB.

Saucy

 

[William Vaughn \(MVP\)]

Vista can handle many (many) gigabytes of memory--as much as the processor
and motherboard can handle. With 32-bit processors, the limit is set by the
address bus of the motherboard, how RAM is managed and shared by the video
card and how the hardware mfr. has dealt with these issues. Yes, this means
most 32-bit systems can't handle more than 3.5 GB of memory. The upper 500
MB is saved for use by the video card.
In my 64-bit systems, I have at least 4GB and upwards of 8GB in others--all
were running Vista or a derivation in a server OS until I migrated to
Windows 7. I could install more but my motherboard configuraiton and budget
(and needs) say otherwise.

--
__________________________________________________________________________
William R. Vaughn
President and Founder Beta V Corporation
Author, Mentor, Dad, Grandpa
Microsoft MVP
(425) 556-9205 (Pacific time)
Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition)
http://betav.com http://betav.com/blog/billva
____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[Ian D]

just plain meanness, if you asked me...
and thanks...

Not really. When XP, and even Vista, were developed, RAM
was still expensive, and 4GB desktop systems were rare. The
64 bit versions of both Windows were available for more
powerful systems, with higher memory. Vista Ultimate has
both 32 and 64 bit versions in the package, and for other retail
versions of Vista, 64 bit has been available for basically the cost
of shipping. All retail versions of Win 7 will include both 32 and
64 bit versions. Also, by the time of Win 7's release, the majority
of PC's and laptops will ship with 64 bit installed, except for low
end units. From what I have seen, even now, most mid-range
and above laptops come with 64 bit Vista.

 

[Bill Daggett]

Typically, install 4GB for the 32-bit versions and as much as you want for
64-bit Windows. Some 32-bit OSes can be specially configured to make use of
up to 64GB of physical RAM,

Care to share where you found that tidbit?

 

[Saucy]

lol

Care to share where you found that tidbit?

 

[Bill Daggett]

lol

Laughing at yourself, I'm sure. It was a really dumb thing for you to
say.

 

[Bogey Man]

What variety of Vista are you interested in as there are at least two major
groups 32 bit and 64 bit. I'm running Vista Home Premium X64 with 8 gigs
but I now see systems for sale that offer 16 gigs of ram. Server versions I
believe offer 64 gig capacity. I don't know if regular 64 bit Vista can
handle that or not.

 

[ray]

That is a lie of omission ray...the worse kind of lying. You're
referring of course to Vista x86, the 32 bit OS, which you failed
(purposefully?) to state.
Vista x64 will recognize all of the RAM you can currently install on a
desktop/laptop computer.

Geez frankie, you need to get your glasses checked. OP asked "do you need
to have vista 64bit to be able to utilize more memory" - I answered "for
vista yes".

Please explain to me how that is a 'lie of omission'.

 

[+Bob+]

What variety of Vista are you interested in as there are at least two major
groups 32 bit and 64 bit. I'm running Vista Home Premium X64 with 8 gigs
but I now see systems for sale that offer 16 gigs of ram. Server versions I
believe offer 64 gig capacity. I don't know if regular 64 bit Vista can
handle that or not.

Are you running a lot of virtual machines? I can't find any other way
of using more that 2 or 3 gigs in a non-server.

 

[Alias]

Geez frankie, you need to get your glasses checked. OP asked "do you need
to have vista 64bit to be able to utilize more memory" - I answered "for
vista yes".

Please explain to me how that is a 'lie of omission'.

You've got to remember that things are different in Frank's World.

Alias

 

[Bill Yanaire]

Are you running a lot of virtual machines? I can't find any other way
of using more that 2 or 3 gigs in a non-server.

Figures. You couldn't find your ass with a road map and a flash light.

 

[Alias]

My error. Please accept my apology.

There goes another keyboard because I just sprayed it with coffee after
reading this. Maybe it isn't Frank.

Alias

 

[Saucy]

What's so dumb?

Saucy

Laughing at yourself, I'm sure. It was a really dumb thing for you to
say.