Vista 32 bit + 8 gig ram = ?

[Necrosaro420]

Ok, Im using Vista 32 bit, and I have 8 gigs of ram installed. It is showing I have 8 gigs installed, but being a 32 bit version of Windows, does it actually USE all 8 gigs, or is it still limited to using only 4 gigs, even though its reporting 8 in the system? Thanks!

 

[tommo123]

limited. they only changed that to stop support calls really (iirc), e.g vista x32 with 4GB ram, might show 3.5, 3.25 GB etc. people might call dell up and complain they've been ripped off.

cue fun and hilarity when the support guy tries to find an answer to that on his sheet

 

[Genx87]

Unless you do some workaround like PAE it will only address 4GBs. And honestly I am not even sure if PAE is supported in Vista. Pretty sure it isnt like it wasnt in XP.

Why not just go Vistax64?

 

[Nothinman]

I have no doubts that Paris crippled like in XP and o ly used for NX. It'll probably show 8G in System Properties but won't actually use over 4G.

There's virtually no reason to use a 32bit system these days any so why even consider it?

 

[masteryoda34]

Bring up task manager and go to the performance tab. Then look at "Total" under "Physical Memory". That is how much is actually being addressed.

 

[Necrosaro420]

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
Bring up task manager and go to the performance tab. Then look at "Total" under "Physical Memory". That is how much is actually being addressed.

Thanks, now im pissed lol, its only been using 3 gigs for 6 months now =( Time to upgrade to X64 I guess...


Question, are there still alot of driver issues with Vista 64? I know there was when it came out, have they gotten better? Thanks!

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Necrosaro420

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
Bring up task manager and go to the performance tab. Then look at "Total" under "Physical Memory". That is how much is actually being addressed.

Thanks, now im pissed lol, its only been using 3 gigs for 6 months now =( Time to upgrade to X64 I guess...


Question, are there still alot of driver issues with Vista 64? I know there was when it came out, have they gotten better? Thanks!

As a gamer I've had no issues with vista 64 and I have been using it for about 18 monthes. There were some issues to start with but those have all been fixed. It's still slightly sluggish, even with 8gb of ram, when you compare it to Windows 7 or XP but otherwise everything works great.

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

There's virtually no reason to use a 32bit system these days any so why even consider it?

I don't agree with this statement. There is still a reason to use 32-bit and that reason is compatibility. I've run 64-bit and generally everything works, but you will still occasionally run into some things that don't.

For example I was installing a new Netgear router for a friend and the install CD refused to run on their 64-bit Vista system, calling it an unsupported operating system. No hardcopy install instructions were provided. Because I know routers I was able to install it without the CD and documentation, but had I not been there they would have ended up returning the router to the store.

That's just one example but there are still many snafus like this that people will run into with 64-bit Windows. If you want 100% compatiblity with all the software out there and you don't need lots of memory, 3GB RAM and 32-bit Windows still makes good sense.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Necrosaro420

Originally posted by: masteryoda34
Bring up task manager and go to the performance tab. Then look at "Total" under "Physical Memory". That is how much is actually being addressed.

Thanks, now im pissed lol, its only been using 3 gigs for 6 months now =( Time to upgrade to X64 I guess...


Question, are there still alot of driver issues with Vista 64? I know there was when it came out, have they gotten better? Thanks!

Vista x64 is now the default choice for enthusiast and gamers. If you want to wait until Windows 7 X64 is out, (Which is due out in the fall of this year.) you could always download a free copy of the RC from Microsoft to use for 10 months to tie you over until then, without spending more money on Vista.

Windows 7 Official Site

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I have no doubts that Paris crippled like in XP and o ly used for NX. It'll probably show 8G in System Properties but won't actually use over 4G.

There's virtually no reason to use a 32bit system these days any so why even consider it?

On my brothers old Nforce 3 Athlon 64 3200+ with a 6600GT and 1.5 GB of RAM, 32 bit is the only one that is fully supported and runs well. The drivers for 64 bit are nonexistant because Nvidia dropped support for the nForce 3 chipset before Vista was released. 64 bit Windows 7 and Vista is a mess on his pc.

 

[Scotteq]

Originally posted by: soonerproud

Originally posted by: Nothinman
I have no doubts that Paris crippled like in XP and o ly used for NX. It'll probably show 8G in System Properties but won't actually use over 4G.

There's virtually no reason to use a 32bit system these days any so why even consider it?

On my brothers old Nforce 3 Athlon 64 3200+ with a 6600GT and 1.5 GB of RAM, 32 bit is the only one that is fully supported and runs well. The drivers for 64 bit are nonexistant because Nvidia dropped support for the nForce 3 chipset before Vista was released. 64 bit Windows 7 and Vista is a mess on his pc.

I do agree with the statement there are definitely times where you need to stick to 32 bit, and that this case is clearly one of them.

However, while reading your post I perceived a distinct *pop* from the fuse guarding the /boggle function in the little pea-brain which the unfortunate genetics running in my family inflicted upon me.


Lesson (A) "Don't Run Unsupported Hardware And Expect It To Work" This applies equally to any and all operating systems ever created. Did your brother run the compatibility advisor? It would have given him a (near) complete listing of hardware and software incompatibilities.


Lesson (B) "When You've Figured Out You Have Violated Lesson (A), Stop Doing That" Example: We learn with Vista 64 that the Chipset is not supported for 64 bit operation. From there, it stands to logic that doing it *again* with Win 7 will also be a bad idea.

 

[Nothinman]

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: Nothinman

There's virtually no reason to use a 32bit system these days any so why even consider it?

I don't agree with this statement. There is still a reason to use 32-bit and that reason is compatibility. I've run 64-bit and generally everything works, but you will still occasionally run into some things that don't.

For example I was installing a new Netgear router for a friend and the install CD refused to run on their 64-bit Vista system, calling it an unsupported operating system. No hardcopy install instructions were provided. Because I know routers I was able to install it without the CD and documentation, but had I not been there they would have ended up returning the router to the store.

That's just one example but there are still many snafus like this that people will run into with 64-bit Windows. If you want 100% compatiblity with all the software out there and you don't need lots of memory, 3GB RAM and 32-bit Windows still makes good sense.

That's a terrible example because routers don't need any software installed on the hosts. The NICs will but not the router itself and you're probably better off not installing whatever crap's on that disc anyway.

The amount of 64-bit incompatible hardware is so small these days that if you buy some it's probably better to return it and get something else anyway. Don't let crap manufacturers dictate what you run.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Scotteq
I do agree with the statement there are definitely times where you need to stick to 32 bit, and that this case is clearly one of them.

However, while reading your post I perceived a distinct *pop* from the fuse guarding the /boggle function in the little pea-brain which the unfortunate genetics running in my family inflicted upon me.


Lesson (A) "Don't Run Unsupported Hardware And Expect It To Work" This applies equally to any and all operating systems ever created. Did your brother run the compatibility advisor? It would have given him a (near) complete listing of hardware and software incompatibilities.


Lesson (B) "When You've Figured Out You Have Violated Lesson (A), Stop Doing That" Example: We learn with Vista 64 that the Chipset is not supported for 64 bit operation. From there, it stands to logic that doing it *again* with Win 7 will also be a bad idea.

Actually, he lost his XP cd so I first tried W7 X64 (knowing it was a long shot) since i had a X64 DVD of 7077 laying around to see if it would work. Well, it works, but not well as the system is very sluggish and you can't multitask at all.

I then proceeded to download the official RC 32 bit just for him and installed it. After a quick bios flash and finding Vista drivers for the Realtek audio, it works better on that PC than XP did. Would I have spent money to buy W7 to test this? Absolutlely not!!! But now I am considering asking him to buy W7 since he is too cheap to upgrade the entire system at this time. He said it was something about getting his house painted and his trees topped. I will slowly convince him his prorities are wrong and that all those things can wait on new hardware.