Available RAM

I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money on
the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?

 

colin.t wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money on
> the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Don't worry about it. There are plenty of important things to worry
about and RAM in this case just isn't one of them. With the BIG PIG
Vista, the more RAM, the better. Buy another 4GB.

Alias

 

32 bit Vista will use about 3.2 GB (varies a bit) RAM. It's often most
economical and sometimes necessary to use modules that come to 4GB to max
out (depending on number of RAM slots etc.). I wouldn't consider it all
that wasteful.
--

"colin.t" <colint@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C984AA7B-A34D-474C-A84A-E6550B2256B5@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money
> on
> the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please? <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

No, you didn't. The system will use most of the RAM. AFAICT, if you have two
cores and the RAM is set up right, then Windows will use 2GB per core etc.
etc.

In other words, don't sweat it.

Saucy


"colin.t" <colint@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C984AA7B-A34D-474C-A84A-E6550B2256B5@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money
> on
> the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please? <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"colin.t" <colint@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C984AA7B-A34D-474C-A84A-E6550B2256B5@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money
> on
> the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Basically yes, there isn't enough address space on a 32-bit system to
address all your hardware and RAM.

Long answer:


--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience.

 

"Saucy" <saucylemon@newsgroup.nospam> wrote in message
news:euJ3GJWBKHA.2604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> No, you didn't. The system will use most of the RAM. AFAICT, if you have
> two cores and the RAM is set up right, then Windows will use 2GB per core
> etc. etc.
>
> In other words, don't sweat it.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

RAM outside the address space cannot be addressed/used on 32-bit Windows.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience.

 

Here are some useful details how the address space is used: 'Reader
Question: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista - Windows Vista help'
()


--
whs

 

"Alias" <iamaliasTAK3THIS@OUTOFHEREgmail.com> wrote in message
news:h3ks87$421$4@news.eternal-september.org...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> colin.t wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
>> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted
>> money on the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Don't worry about it. There are plenty of important things to worry about
> and RAM in this case just isn't one of them. With the BIG PIG Vista, the
> more RAM, the better. Buy another 4GB.
>
> Alias<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Which will of course be of no use to him as he clearly stated that he was
using the "32 BIT" version of Windows.
Your poor advice and/or ignorance clearly knows no bounds.
--
Mike Brannigan

 

"Saucy" <saucylemon@newsgroup.nospam> wrote in message
news:euJ3GJWBKHA.2604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> No, you didn't. The system will use most of the RAM. AFAICT, if you have
> two cores and the RAM is set up right, then Windows will use 2GB per core
> etc. etc.
>
> In other words, don't sweat it.
>
> Saucy
><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

RAM is not divided on a per core basis, set up of RAM (I assume you main
dual or single channel mode etc) is not related to the number of processor
cores a system has.
--
Mike Brannigan

"Saucy" <saucylemon@newsgroup.nospam> wrote in message
news:euJ3GJWBKHA.2604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> No, you didn't. The system will use most of the RAM. AFAICT, if you have
> two cores and the RAM is set up right, then Windows will use 2GB per core
> etc. etc.
>
> In other words, don't sweat it.
>
> Saucy
>
>
> "colin.t" <colint@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C984AA7B-A34D-474C-A84A-E6550B2256B5@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
>> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted
>> money on
>> the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

colin.t <colint@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
>installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money on
>the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Yes, basically. 32-bit Vista (and all other MS 32-bit client systems)
can use about 3.2 - 3.5GB, depending on several things. See
for a discussion of the
issue.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@bls.gov

 

"Saucy" <saucylemon@newsgroup.nospam> wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
>No, you didn't. The system will use most of the RAM. AFAICT, if you have two
>cores and the RAM is set up right, then Windows will use 2GB per core etc. <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

No, there's no division "per core". A 32-bit has a 32-bit address
space, that translates to 4GB. Some of that has to be used for other
things than system RAM. Number of cores or processors has nothing to
do with it.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(Shell/User)
Slattery_T@bls.gov

 

No, the full amount of RAM that can be found on your computer is 3.56GB. You
didn't waste all of your money cause you can use this RAM in another
computer.

Joolie

--



"colin.t" <colint@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C984AA7B-A34D-474C-A84A-E6550B2256B5@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money
> on
> the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

Mike

He knows very well. It just gives him pleasure to not answer correctly to any OP
that needs help or advice when it comes to Vista. Wonder if anybody did the same to
him when he was learning or had an issue with a computer and did not know the
answer.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"Mike Brannigan" <Mike.Brannigan@localhost> wrote in message
news:660AF869-75DF-4A66-8449-60D116CC06B1@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Alias" <iamaliasTAK3THIS@OUTOFHEREgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:h3ks87$421$4@news.eternal-september.org...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> colin.t wrote:<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM installed
>>> but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted money on the extra
>>> 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Don't worry about it. There are plenty of important things to worry about and RAM
>> in this case just isn't one of them. With the BIG PIG Vista, the more RAM, the
>> better. Buy another 4GB.
>>
>> Alias<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Which will of course be of no use to him as he clearly stated that he was using
> the "32 BIT" version of Windows.
> Your poor advice and/or ignorance clearly knows no bounds.
> --
> Mike Brannigan
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

No you didn't waste money:

As you know from Electrical Engineering basics, theoretical memory space is
defined by the address bus width. In a binary system it's simply 2^N where
N is the address width.
In plain English:
If your Windows is 32-bit it can theoretically manage 2^32 = 4GB
If your hardware (e.g. Intel945 chipset?) is 32 bit but Windows is 64 bit,
or hardware is 64bit but Windows is 32 bit it's still 4GB as obviously the
lower address width limits the system, and disregards 64 bit elsewhere.

The practical numbers are different:
a) Windows 32-bit fills a whopping 0.75GB due to I/O overhead in a 4GB
memory space leaving you with ONLY 3.25GB of usable memory
Too long to explain but just accept it as a fact - almost a Gigabyte is
eaten by the BIOS, I/O, etc. memory addresses your applications cannot use.
On the upside you can go over 4GB EVEN in a 32-bit Windows if this
Windows is a Server, and not a CLient version.
There's a 99.9% chance you running a Client and not Server Windows, so your
usable memory is therefore:

3.25GB This is the final number.

Now why I say you didn't waste money.
How much did you pay for 4GB and how much WOULD you pay for 3GB? The
$dollar difference as of July2009 is NOT worth any regret.
You've lost pennies, stop worrying. It's better that you installed an even
number (4GB, not 3GB) because some hardware doesn't even like assymetric
modules 2+1GB, and works better with symmetric 2+2GB or a single 4GB module.

Forget the issue and move on.

 

Mike Brannigan wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Alias" <iamaliasTAK3THIS@OUTOFHEREgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:h3ks87$421$4@news.eternal-september.org...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> colin.t wrote:<!--coloro:darkred--><span style="color:darkred <!--/coloro-->
>>> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
>>> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted
>>> money on the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>>
>> Don't worry about it. There are plenty of important things to worry
>> about and RAM in this case just isn't one of them. With the BIG PIG
>> Vista, the more RAM, the better. Buy another 4GB.
>>
>> Alias<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Which will of course be of no use to him as he clearly stated that he
> was using the "32 BIT" version of Windows.
> Your poor advice and/or ignorance clearly knows no bounds.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

You never know, the OP may upgrade to 64.

Your insults are noted.

Alias

 

Peter Foldes wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Mike
>
> He knows very well. It just gives him pleasure to not answer correctly
> to any OP that needs help or advice when it comes to Vista. Wonder if
> anybody did the same to him when he was learning or had an issue with a
> computer and did not know the answer.
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

I know where to get answers and it ain't here.

Alias

 

On Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:12:01 -0700, colin.t wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> I am running Viata Home Premium 32 BIT service pack 2. I have 4GB RAM
> installed but I am told Vista can only manage 3GB RAM. Have I wasted
> money on the extra 1GB RAM. Can anyone advise me please?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Yes. If you want to access the extra ram with a 32 bit OS, you'll need
one of the server versions of MS that supports it or virtually any Linux.

 

What is the point?
You didin't say anythign different from previous poster, but repeated same
banality in own words, just clutters the Newsgroup;
See a PAGE-long answer I provided to the customer, and let him digest it and
move on.

 

"Stan Starinski" <StopUnfairFreetrade@chinastealsUSAjobs.org> wrote in
message news:ub2MnPWBKHA.3708@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> What is the point?
> You didin't say anythign different from previous poster, but repeated same
> banality in own words, just clutters the Newsgroup;
> See a PAGE-long answer I provided to the customer, and let him digest it
> and move on.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Hello Stan.

I think you obviously misread who I was replying to, who said:

Windows will not use 2GB per core, the number of cores is irrelevant.

"Saucy" <saucylemon@newsgroup.nospam> wrote in message
news:euJ3GJWBKHA.2604@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> No, you didn't. The system will use most of the RAM. AFAICT, if you have
> two cores and the RAM is set up right, then Windows will use 2GB per core
> etc. etc.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Thanks.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience.

 

Wrong answer.
Before you slap tha t"MVP" title to your name, get educated at a REAL
college, not by reading Wikipedia.

He didin't waste money on 4GB, if he wasted it was 25 cents probably, maybe
in UK memory costs, but here in USA memory is dirt cheap. Because we're not
a Socialist country.