RAM Problem

[Jake]

My computer uses 4 identical Kingston 1GB RAM modules. The physical
configuration however indicates only 3.7 GB present. With 4 GB the total
start up time is 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
With only 3 GB installed, the physical configuration is correctly shown as
3GB and the start up time is reduced to 1 minute and 15 seconds.
I was under the impression that Vista would operate better with more RAM,
and even my MB allows the installation of 8 GB.
I appreciate any comments on the above.

 

[Meinolf Weber]

Hello Jake,

If you check this NG for RAM problem, which btw is no problem you find hundreds
of postings. It is by design that with a 32bit windows you will nit get the
full RAM for use. You have to install the 64bit version.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.

 

[Guest]

Hi Jake,

I infer from your post that you are using a 32-bit version of Vista. As
such, 3.7GB is the maximum physical memory that it can access (the rest of
the 4GB address space is taken up by the minimum page file allocation, which
should be left as 'System Managed'). Removing 1 stick of your RAM brings the
physical memory in your machine down to 3GB, hence it is shown as the correct
amount. If you have a board with dual channel memory capabilities, I would
remove a second stick in order to enable it (check with your motherboard
manual for the correct slots to use). For practical purposes, I would
recommend a maximum physical RAM size of 2GB for 32-bit versions. The 64-bit
versions do not have this limitation, so if you have this version you can
fill the board up to its total memory capacity.
Dwarf

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My computer uses 4 identical Kingston 1GB RAM modules. The physical
configuration however indicates only 3.7 GB present.

All 32-bit versions of Windows, 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. Your 3.7GB
is actually very high--the highest number I've seen.

I was under the impression that Vista would operate better with more RAM,

That is a widely-held misconception. There's a germ of truth in it,
but it's true only up to a point. 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. Once you stop using the page file,
adding more RAM does almost nothing for you. That's true, not only in
Vista, but in all versions of Windows.

Most people running Windows Vista, unless they perform particularly
memory-hungry tasks like video or large photo-editing, will see little
or no improvement past 2GB.

and even my MB allows the installation of 8 GB.

Unless you have a 64-bit processor and are running 64-bit Windows, 8GB
won't be seen at all. The absolute maximum is 4GB (but as I said
above, in practice, all of it can't be used).

 

[Guest]

i was told years ago..at a computer show,,byt these computer pros..its just
as important to fill your memory slots on the mother board,as it is the
amount of memory that you inatall..my way of thinking.one gig is all you
need..my mother board has..four slots.four 256mb...four 512mb...because of
how cheap memory is..i have two 1gigs and tow 512mb...i just put them all
in..im 64bit here

but thats way more memory,then i need..but i just dont want them laying
around,so i put them in the mother board for storage...lol

 

[Jake]

All 32-bit versions of Windows, 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. Your 3.7GB
is actually very high--the highest number I've seen.





That is a widely-held misconception. There's a germ of truth in it,
but it's true only up to a point. 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. Once you stop using the page file,
adding more RAM does almost nothing for you. That's true, not only in
Vista, but in all versions of Windows.

Most people running Windows Vista, unless they perform particularly
memory-hungry tasks like video or large photo-editing, will see little
or no improvement past 2GB.




Unless you have a 64-bit processor and are running 64-bit Windows, 8GB
won't be seen at all. The absolute maximum is 4GB (but as I said
above, in practice, all of it can't be used).

Thanks Ken for your response, this has cleared it up .

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks Ken for your response, this has cleared it up .

You're welcome. Glad to help.