Quick question on Vista and RAM

[arnav]

I just wanted to know if 4gb of ram is compatible with 32-bit Vista.

A few people have confused me on other threads, so I just wanted to make sure that 4gb will be recognized by Vista Home Premium. I already have 3 gb in my system and was about add one more.

 

[ZombieRitual]

No 32-bit OS will recognize a full 4 gigs of RAM. You will see 3.X gigs of RAM should you install more.

 

[arnav]

so, even if it shows up as 3.XX gigs of ram, will it be faster than before of just the same.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: arnav
so, even if it shows up as 3.XX gigs of ram, will it be faster than before of just the same.

Just the same. You'll need synthetic benchmarks to ascertain any increase in performance, since it will be so slight.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
Just the same. You'll need synthetic benchmarks to ascertain any increase in performance, since it will be so slight.

So you think Vista would be better with 4GB RAM or 256MB? Can I benchmark that?

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: ZombieRitual
No 32-bit OS will recognize a full 4 gigs of RAM.

WRONG!!!

See this thead.
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2122354&enterthread=y

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33

Originally posted by: Slugbait
Just the same. You'll need synthetic benchmarks to ascertain any increase in performance, since it will be so slight.

So you think Vista would be better with 4GB RAM or 256MB? Can I benchmark that?

I couldn't care less if you can benchmark your bowel movements.

 

[Blain]

All this 2GB vs 4GB performance talk with 32bit OS is getting out of hand.
> This review blows the lid off the whole idea <
Test = Q6600 - XP Pro 32bit - 2GB PC2-8500 vs 4GB PC2-6400


Someone please POST SOME LINKS to similar testing done with a 64bit OS.
Please, I'm begging you... Prove that more than 2GB of memory has some REAL benefit... Please! :roll:

 

[Roguestar]

But Blain, if I have 4GB I get a huge, noticeable, real-world increase!
link

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Blain
All this 2GB vs 4GB performance talk with 32bit OS is getting out of hand.
> This review blows the lid off the whole idea <
Test = Q6600 - XP Pro 32bit - 2GB PC2-8500 vs 4GB PC2-6400


Someone please POST SOME LINKS to similar testing done with a 64bit OS.
Please, I'm begging you... Prove that more than 2GB of memory has some REAL benefit... Please! :roll:

More than 2GB does have real benefit, depending on what you are doing. Often times when I have Photoshop open with multiple high-res images, photoshop alone will eat up over 2GB of RAM. Having more than that allows it not to have to go to its scratch disk/pagefile as much, as well as leaves RAM available for other programs.

 

[arnav]

Cool. so I can add the 1gb stick in my already 3gb and there will be improvement in performance when the CPU is under stress.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: arnav
Cool. so I can add the 1gb stick in my already 3gb and there will be improvement in performance when the CPU is under stress.

Not necessarily. Depends on what you do.