RAM DDR3 Compatibility 32-bit OS

[cr1zb3y]

If I get two sticks of 2gb ddr3 ram, and insert it into the motherboard, will the system leave one of the ram chips unused. I am wondering thins because 32-bit windows 7 only uses 3gb of ram ( reason for 32-bit and not 64-bit is because of compatibility on older programs and games). Should i buy one 2gb stick of ram and a 1gb stick of ram (to make 3gb ram) or just buy the 2x gb sticks of ram. Will it make a difference? I dont want to spend more than i have to.

Thanks in advance,

 

[o1die]

No. Windows will use 3 gigs of it; updates of windows 7 will list the 4 gigs; 3 gigs or less will be listed as usable. Mine only uses 2.93 gb, due to the motherboard bios. Get the 2x2 gb kit (maybe $15-20 extra) and you may use it someday for 64 bit windows 7.

 

[jaquith]

DO NOT MIX YOUR RAM. Get a 2x2GB {Matched Set}.

IMPORTANT - Purchase ONLY Certified or Tested RAM for your MOBO. Use the online configuration tools - example http://www.corsair.com/ {Fast + Quality} or http://www.crucial.com/ {Good + Affordable}.

Good Luck!

 

[jaquith]

^when I posted at HP, I did have ~ 10 text files to copy/paste; SOS.