4 gigs of RAM

[Kryhs]

Hi all, I just recently got in my new rig I ordered and put it all together and it's just... amazing, to be blunt. I put 2 gigs of RAM into it (RAM) and I was thinking of ordering that package again and just making it 4. I hear that 32 bit windows, which is what I use, can't allocate more than 2 gigs per application, and that's fine. What I want is to be semi future proof for Vista when it comes out.

I've also heard that depending on your motherboard that having 4 sticks of RAM will actually slow the computer down. How's my mobo for that? Mobo

Entire Rig

 

[Ricemarine]

You'd more than likely be running ddr333 instead of ddr400 with 2T.

 

[DaveSimmons]

What do you do that you think 4 GB will help with?

Also, expect to lose about 1/2 GB to devices memory-mapped into the address space by the motherboard.

 

[fire400]

For the 32-bit environment of Windows XP (recommends Pro), you have to patch the system manually for your PC to use the full 4 gigs of installed memory.

http://www.microsoft.com

Search for 4GB

 

[stevty2889]

You are right about windows not allocating more than 2gig to a single program. Also, it won't even recognize the full 4 gigs, it will show it as 3.75gb. There are some programs that can use more if you use a special switch.

As for the slowing down thing, thats an A64 motherboard, so the memory controller is on the CPU. Winchester and older cores will go to DDR333 2T timings with 4 sticks of ram. Venice, San Diego, and the X2 cores, will run 4 sticks at DDR400, but still have to run at 2T timings. 2T is usualy only about a 3-5% performance loss. But Windows Vista is still a while away, more than likely you'll upgrade again before then, so it would just be a waste to get 4gig of ram now. The new socket coming out in june/july will use DDR2 so you won't even be able to re-use your memory next time.

 

[Kryhs]

I don't think it will particularly help with anything right now. Again, I just want to be ready for Vista or if I happen to go ahead and get Windows x64.

 

[Kryhs]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
You are right about windows not allocating more than 2gig to a single program. Also, it won't even recognize the full 4 gigs, it will show it as 3.75gb. There are some programs that can use more if you use a special switch.

As for the slowing down thing, thats an A64 motherboard, so the memory controller is on the CPU. Winchester and older cores will go to DDR333 2T timings with 4 sticks of ram. Venice, San Diego, and the X2 cores, will run 4 sticks at DDR400, but still have to run at 2T timings. 2T is usualy only about a 3-5% performance loss. But Windows Vista is still a while away, more than likely you'll upgrade again before then, so it would just be a waste to get 4gig of ram now. The new socket coming out in june/july will use DDR2 so you won't even be able to re-use your memory next time.

Cool, that pretty much settles that.

"/thread"

 

[DaveSimmons]

Then set up an account at INGDirect.com and put the money there instead

With PC hardware it's usually a waste to buy something now that you might use someday.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
You are right about windows not allocating more than 2gig to a single program. Also, it won't even recognize the full 4 gigs, it will show it as 3.75gb. There are some programs that can use more if you use a special switch.

Edit Boot .ini at the end of the line you will see /fastdetect /noexecute

add the switch /nolowmen /pae /3GB to the end of that list of switches

the /3gb switch allows programs to access 3GB instead of 2GB.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

buying 2gb now for vista in a few months is just stupid. if you really need more ram (which you dont.) why dont u just get it later when prices drop.