4GB of RAM is awesome....

Silound · 02-15-2009, 10:59 PM

Not to knock anyone, but why put more than 4 Gb in a PC running Windows XP or Vista 32-bit as the primary OS?

32-bit versions of Windows can only effectively use up to 3120Mb (roughly 3 gigs) due to software limitations (claimed to allow compatibility on older machines), and can be forced into using a full 4Gb via registry changes. Otherwise, the 4th gig is essentially only used by hardware such as shared video memory tasks.

Much love to 64-bit OS's for opening that up, but even then Vista was proven to actually SLOW DOWN with more than 16 GB of RAM (inefficient memory use) until Service Pack 1 came out and ended that problem.

jkim05 · 02-23-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silound

Not to knock anyone, but why put more than 4 Gb in a PC running Windows XP or Vista 32-bit as the primary OS?

32-bit versions of Windows can only effectively use up to 3120Mb (roughly 3 gigs) due to software limitations (claimed to allow compatibility on older machines), and can be forced into using a full 4Gb via registry changes. Otherwise, the 4th gig is essentially only used by hardware such as shared video memory tasks.

Much love to 64-bit OS's for opening that up, but even then Vista was proven to actually SLOW DOWN with more than 16 GB of RAM (inefficient memory use) until Service Pack 1 came out and ended that problem.

Just wanted to bump this post. Important thing to remember, unless you're running a 64-bit OS, there's no point in putting more than even 3 GB in a computer, the OS barely recognizes part of the 4th GB and it doesn't give any noticeable benefit.

That's why my next CPU is gonna run a 64-bit OS.

Blueface · 02-23-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkim05

Just wanted to bump this post. Important thing to remember, unless you're running a 64-bit OS, there's no point in putting more than even 3 GB in a computer, the OS barely recognizes part of the 4th GB and it doesn't give any noticeable benefit.

That's why my next CPU is gonna run a 64-bit OS.

Does that apply to my MacBook also or just PC?

VirtualSmitty · 02-23-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Does that apply to my MacBook also or just PC?

Depends Carlos. Current macbooks run 4 gigs no problem, but the pre santa rosa chipset macs will only recognize 3.3 gigs.

Blueface · 02-23-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirtualSmitty

Depends Carlos. Current macbooks run 4 gigs no problem, but the pre santa rosa chipset macs will only recognize 3.3 gigs.

Mine is a year old.
I have the 2.2 Ghz Intel core 2 Duo Processor
Has 1 GB (2 x 512MB SO-DIMMs) of DDR2 SDRAM.

VirtualSmitty · 02-23-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Mine is a year old.
I have the 2.2 Ghz Intel core 2 Duo Processor
Has 1 GB (2 x 512MB SO-DIMMs) of DDR2 SDRAM.

Your good then. Apple upgraded the macbooks summer of 07.

02-15-2009, 10:59 PM	#1
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: 4GB of RAM is awesome.... Not to knock anyone, but why put more than 4 Gb in a PC running Windows XP or Vista 32-bit as the primary OS? 32-bit versions of Windows can only effectively use up to 3120Mb (roughly 3 gigs) due to software limitations (claimed to allow compatibility on older machines), and can be forced into using a full 4Gb via registry changes. Otherwise, the 4th gig is essentially only used by hardware such as shared video memory tasks. Much love to 64-bit OS's for opening that up, but even then Vista was proven to actually SLOW DOWN with more than 16 GB of RAM (inefficient memory use) until Service Pack 1 came out and ended that problem. __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!