Quick 4Gb RAM Question...
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Video RAM has nothing to do with the RAM accessed by the processor. So you can use 4GB (theoretically) with a 32-bit processor.
I doubt it. If it isn't intuitive then we need to fix it. - Chris Maunder
Ed.Poore wrote:
So you can use 4GB (theoretically) with a 32-bit processor
Unfortunately Windows takes some of the 4GB for its own use, amount varies depending on lots of things, somewhere between 250 - 750MB. So you only get about 3.25GB to play with.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain
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Video RAM has nothing to do with the RAM accessed by the processor. So you can use 4GB (theoretically) with a 32-bit processor.
I doubt it. If it isn't intuitive then we need to fix it. - Chris Maunder
Well, a 32bit system can only address up to 4Gigs total. That means that windows has no option but to map ALL memory from everything, including bios, any other ROMs, and yes, even video memory, onto that full 4Gb of address space. Its usually system dependent, but if you have a 512Meg video card, you'll get anywhere from 3.15 to 3.4 gigs of usable memory. If you have other periferals plugged into the motherboard, they may also have their own memory...and your available system memory will be reduced even more. There is a feature...called PAE (Physical Address Extension), that MIGHT be able to 'extend' your 4Gb a little farther by changing how periferals are mapped by sort of sharing some address space until sharing isn't possible. There is no guarantee it will work, and if you make heavy use of all the devices with memory at the same time, the dynamic mapping will have no recourse but to consume the full amount for all other sources of memory plugged into your system. Use the following command to enable PAE:
BCDEdit /set PAE forceenable -
If I have a machine with 4GB RAM and 512MB Video RAM, should I use a 32-bit or 64-bit Operating System? That is all, thank you. ;)
The StartPage Randomizer - The Windows Cheerleader - Twitter
Windows (xp or vista) won't be able to use all 4 GB unless you use 64 bit. You can google it... I've personally tested it with exactly 4 GB - same system with x32 and x64. As long as you have drivers, you'll never turn back once you start using x64!!
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If I have a machine with 4GB RAM and 512MB Video RAM, should I use a 32-bit or 64-bit Operating System? That is all, thank you. ;)
The StartPage Randomizer - The Windows Cheerleader - Twitter
I've been using a 64bit windows xp pro as a host for my virtual 32 bit machines I work on and to be honest I don't think I'd install a 64bit os again unless it becomes the standard. There is no appreciable difference in speed for all the little weirdnesses you have to contend with.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
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Ed.Poore wrote:
So you can use 4GB (theoretically) with a 32-bit processor
Unfortunately Windows takes some of the 4GB for its own use, amount varies depending on lots of things, somewhere between 250 - 750MB. So you only get about 3.25GB to play with.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain
Hence the theoretically. Besides you're still using all 4GB of it, some of it happens to be required to run Windows which runs everything else. Besides if all 4GB are not used then to be honest it's wasted.
I doubt it. If it isn't intuitive then we need to fix it. - Chris Maunder
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I've been using a 64bit windows xp pro as a host for my virtual 32 bit machines I work on and to be honest I don't think I'd install a 64bit os again unless it becomes the standard. There is no appreciable difference in speed for all the little weirdnesses you have to contend with.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
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Well, a 32bit system can only address up to 4Gigs total. That means that windows has no option but to map ALL memory from everything, including bios, any other ROMs, and yes, even video memory, onto that full 4Gb of address space. Its usually system dependent, but if you have a 512Meg video card, you'll get anywhere from 3.15 to 3.4 gigs of usable memory. If you have other periferals plugged into the motherboard, they may also have their own memory...and your available system memory will be reduced even more. There is a feature...called PAE (Physical Address Extension), that MIGHT be able to 'extend' your 4Gb a little farther by changing how periferals are mapped by sort of sharing some address space until sharing isn't possible. There is no guarantee it will work, and if you make heavy use of all the devices with memory at the same time, the dynamic mapping will have no recourse but to consume the full amount for all other sources of memory plugged into your system. Use the following command to enable PAE:
BCDEdit /set PAE forceenableJon Rista wrote:
There is a feature...called PAE (Physical Address Extension), that MIGHT be able to 'extend' your 4Gb a little farther by changing how periferals are mapped by sort of sharing some address space until sharing isn't possible
It doesn't - at least on 32-bit XP - we were trying that at work this week and we still only got 3.25GB rather than 4GB.
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Jon Rista wrote:
There is a feature...called PAE (Physical Address Extension), that MIGHT be able to 'extend' your 4Gb a little farther by changing how periferals are mapped by sort of sharing some address space until sharing isn't possible
It doesn't - at least on 32-bit XP - we were trying that at work this week and we still only got 3.25GB rather than 4GB.
It's only implemented for advanced and datacenter servers.
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It's only implemented for advanced and datacenter servers.
Jörgen Andersson wrote:
It's only implemented for advanced and datacenter servers
That's not what Microsoft say[^] - and certainly the computer properties dialog said that PAE was active.
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Jörgen Andersson wrote:
It's only implemented for advanced and datacenter servers
That's not what Microsoft say[^] - and certainly the computer properties dialog said that PAE was active.
I stand corrected. What I meant to say is that it only allows you to access more than 4GB on advanced and datacenter server. On the other versions it is implemented for compatibility reasons, but it won't allow you to access more memory.
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I stand corrected. What I meant to say is that it only allows you to access more than 4GB on advanced and datacenter server. On the other versions it is implemented for compatibility reasons, but it won't allow you to access more memory.
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If I have a machine with 4GB RAM and 512MB Video RAM, should I use a 32-bit or 64-bit Operating System? That is all, thank you. ;)
The StartPage Randomizer - The Windows Cheerleader - Twitter
Miszou wrote:
32-bit or 64-bit Operating System?
which operating system?
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb) John Andrew Holmes "It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others."
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I've been using a 64bit windows xp pro as a host for my virtual 32 bit machines I work on and to be honest I don't think I'd install a 64bit os again unless it becomes the standard. There is no appreciable difference in speed for all the little weirdnesses you have to contend with.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
video editing, photo touch ups, compression, all are faster in 64bit native. but 32bit software on 64bit ends up the same.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb) John Andrew Holmes "It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others."
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video editing, photo touch ups, compression, all are faster in 64bit native. but 32bit software on 64bit ends up the same.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb) John Andrew Holmes "It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others."
Well I've only personally used it for photo touch ups and compression and found no difference at all other than half the tools won't register as a shell option when you click on that file type with their 64 bit versions. Theoretically faster perhaps, stopwatch or noticeably faster...not in my experience.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
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Well I've only personally used it for photo touch ups and compression and found no difference at all other than half the tools won't register as a shell option when you click on that file type with their 64 bit versions. Theoretically faster perhaps, stopwatch or noticeably faster...not in my experience.
"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it." -Sam Levenson
John C wrote:
Theoretically faster perhaps, stopwatch or noticeably faster...not in my experience.
in larger memory activities, still below the 4gig, it is about 10% +-. So if the activity takes 10 minutes you notice it a lot better than if the activity is 10 seconds. Thus you really have to be using large files for compression, or heavy memory use settings for compression, or touch ups that involve significant movements of memory. These are generally advanced activities, but they are definitely stop-watch and noticeably faster. of course above the 4gig boundary there can no longer be any comparison.
_________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb) John Andrew Holmes "It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others."
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If I have a machine with 4GB RAM and 512MB Video RAM, should I use a 32-bit or 64-bit Operating System? That is all, thank you. ;)
The StartPage Randomizer - The Windows Cheerleader - Twitter
If you are talking about Vista or Windows 7 and you have 64 bit CPU, go 64 bit. No real reason for 32 bit unless you have some old DOS programs :) As for speed though, you will not notice much of a difference unless you are running 64 bit apps. Some of Microsoft's server apps are now moving 64 bit.
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