Planning to upgrade to 2GB card. Need to increase system RAM?

[kiara]

Currently on Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit. 4GB RAM installed and 4870 512MB.

If upgrade to 2GB card later (possibly HD6000 series), should i switch to Win 7 64-bits and increase RAM to > 4GB?

Edit
I am aware of the 4GB limit on 32-bit OS. Just want to know will there be system slowdown or issue if i upgrade to a 2GB video card with 4GB system RAM.

 

[faxon]

you should have bought win7 64bit to begin with, you're not getting all your system ram already. as for increasing system ram, you dont need to, but you DO have to go to a 64bit OS for any type of memory upgrade from where you are now. windows cant address more than 4 total gigs of memory in 32 bit mode, system memory, graphics memory, or otherwise

 

[Skurge]

Yeah, you should get Windows 7 64bit. The upgrade version should be cheaper.

 

[nenforcer]

No, there are no paging / virtual memory issues with video cards in relation to system memory. Running a video game which requires 1GB of VRAM for full detail on a 512MB card will just lower the texture quality settings to accomodate. Most textures are just streamed from hard drive or loaded directly into VRAM bypassing system memory.

It would make absolutely no sense for you upgrade system memory as long as you continue to run Vista 32. 4GB is the absolute max.

 

[aka1nas]

Yeah, you should get Windows 7 64bit. The upgrade version should be cheaper.

He may be able to trade in his license/disc with MS for the 64-bit version depending on the license he has now.

 

[Voo]

It would make absolutely no sense for you upgrade system memory as long as you continue to run Vista 32. 4GB is the absolute max.

Well the VRAM has to be mapped somewhere in the 32bit address space - I'd think that we'd have to map the whole VRAM, but I've seen people who claim something different.. would be interesting at least for that little "experiment".

 

[Vesku]

I also recall 32 bit vs 64 bit articles mentioning that video card memory mapping can consume some of the 32 bit memory space further shrinking usable RAM.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

VRAM will use memory addresses. Also the OS and other hardware will take up memory addresses. With a 2GB card running a 32-bit OS you will have less than 2GB of actual memory for use by the system. Upgrade to 64-bit and you won't have this problem; you'll have all 4GB of your system memory for use by the system.

 

[SolMiester]

Yeah, you should get Windows 7 64bit. The upgrade version should be cheaper.

Can you not just get the x64 media and use the same key?

 

[Voo]

Can you not just get the x64 media and use the same key?

At least MSDN isos have different keys for 32/64bit versions - so most probably no.

 

[Schmide]

OEM versions of windows 7 keys will not work with their counterpart.

Retail/MSDN versions will.

Even on 64bit windows a 32bit programs will still be capped at 2gb unless linked with LARGEADDRESSAWARE (who knows which programs use this), in which they will see 4gb. However, the OS's virtual page tables are increased to 52 bits so there are more mapping options between multiple programs running on a system. (i.e. multiple programs may have less collisions in the page table mapping space)

 

[tweakboy]

The answer to your question is the games will perform the same Wheter you have 3.2GB or 2GB of video ram or 1GB of video ram. All this, the games will perform the same. However upping your RAM to 4GB or higher you will see speed increase especially when multitasking or using big apps.. thanks,, gl

 

[kiara]

VRAM will use memory addresses. Also the OS and other hardware will take up memory addresses. With a 2GB card running a 32-bit OS you will have less than 2GB of actual memory for use by the system. Upgrade to 64-bit and you won't have this problem; you'll have all 4GB of your system memory for use by the system.

Yeah, actually i am worried that the 2GB video card will reduce the system RAM available. Anyone has any experience to share? whether there will be any slowdown in performance in such case?

By the way, i have the retail version of windows 7, which come with both 32 bit and 64 bit. Should be able to use the same installation key.

 

[dguy6789]

Can you not just get the x64 media and use the same key?

You definitely can. For Vista and 7, you have the right to use 64 or 32 bit with your key. Obviously you're not allowed to use one of each at the same time.

 

[Scotteq]

Well the VRAM has to be mapped somewhere in the 32bit address space - I'd think that we'd have to map the whole VRAM, but I've seen people who claim something different.. would be interesting at least for that little "experiment".

The entire amount isn't mapped - The exact number varies, but 256MB~ish

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3602/sponsored_feature_ram_vram_and_.php?page=3


(Page 1 of the same article - It's a good read, if you haven't)
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3602/sponsored_feature_ram_vram_and_.php

 

[Voo]

(Page 1 of the same article - It's a good read, if you haven't)
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3602/sponsored_feature_ram_vram_and_.php

Great article, thanks for posting.

 

[bamacre]

OEM versions of windows 7 keys will not work with their counterpart.

Retail/MSDN versions will.

Even on 64bit windows a 32bit programs will still be capped at 2gb unless linked with LARGEADDRESSAWARE (who knows which programs use this), in which they will see 4gb. However, the OS's virtual page tables are increased to 52 bits so there are more mapping options between multiple programs running on a system. (i.e. multiple programs may have less collisions in the page table mapping space)

I've used Dell branded 32bit keys on 64bit version of Windows 7 without any problems.

 

[Petey!]

Yeah if you have a retail version install 64 bit now. Unless your in some small niche using some odd programs, theres absolutely no reason not to for the average user/gamer

 

[bryanW1995]

Yeah, actually i am worried that the 2GB video card will reduce the system RAM available. Anyone has any experience to share? whether there will be any slowdown in performance in such case?

By the way, i have the retail version of windows 7, which come with both 32 bit and 64 bit. Should be able to use the same installation key.

I have a better solution:

stick to 1 gb cards. when you actually find a game that requires a 2gb video card then upgrade your OS.

 

[Schmide]

I've used Dell branded 32bit keys on 64bit version of Windows 7 without any problems.

I've noticed Dell, HP, Leveno, etc keys are pre-authorized, meaning you get one Microsoft activation on new hardware/os install. If you buy a system builder OEM pack, my guess is you will run into troubles unless this is the first install, although you may get away with a phone activation.

Very nice to know though.