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Should I add more RAM?

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - Should I add more RAM?

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Ray-blu   11-20-2008 at 08:51:19 PM

Hi all

I am running 32-bit Windows Vista with 2 GB RAM. I am about to install a new graphics card with 512 MB on board and I have several USB devices attached (printer, scanner, CD/DVD drives, webcam). I am considering upgrading the existing memory to 4 GB or more, but I am not sure if it will be worth it because I have heard that Vista can only access a maximum of 4 GB anyway. I only play games occassionally and use the machine mostly for watching movies, office tasks and photo and video processing.

Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks,

B.

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dechy   11-20-2008 at 09:04:41 PM
- 0 +

For what you do, I'm sure Vista 64 would work fine. The obvious problem would be you'd have to buy another copy of it.

Vista32 will only see a max of about 3.3GB with a 512MB video card & 4GB memory configuration. Still quite a bit better than 2GB, but not all you paid for.

I guess you could always just go 2x1GB + 2x512MB, but with the price of RAM these days, a 4GB kit is extremely cheap. But if you were more intent on going over 4GB, then your only option is a 64 bit operating system.


Message edited by dechy on 11-20-2008 at 09:05:46 PM
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eklipz330   11-20-2008 at 09:06:54 PM
- 0 +

i think 32-bit Operating Systems can only address a maximum of 3.75gb not including reserved memory for other things. So if you get 4gb, some of it won't be detected. Just FYI [You'll probably find about 3gb available in the end]

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231209

 

high quality ram for $50, assuming your computer s compatible


Message edited by eklipz330 on 11-20-2008 at 09:08:14 PM
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kamel5547   11-20-2008 at 09:10:56 PM
- 0 +

Don't bother. For the things you do it won't make a noticable difference. A 32 bit OS will generally se an amount between 2.75 and 3.75 GB of RAM dpedning on its configuration (for instance my new Workstations only see 2.98 GB of RAM with a 32-bit OS, and the previous ones saw 3.5 GB. A moot point since a 64-bit install is done, but it does emphasize the variability of the number.

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Ray-blu   11-20-2008 at 09:48:44 PM
- 0 +

kamel5547 wrote :

Don't bother. For the things you do it won't make a noticable difference. A 32 bit OS will generally se an amount between 2.75 and 3.75 GB of RAM dpedning on its configuration (for instance my new Workstations only see 2.98 GB of RAM with a 32-bit OS, and the previous ones saw 3.5 GB. A moot point since a 64-bit install is done, but it does emphasize the variability of the number.


Thanks. To max out RAM on my 32-bit system I was considering replacing the onboard memory with these:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] -_-Product

If it isn't going to make much difference, though, I won't bother. I could put that $50 towards a new widescreen monitor :)

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