Arthranas Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 hi recently i have decided that for graduation id like this ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145176 when i get this with my 32 bit vista will it recognize this? if not is there a way for it to recognize all 4 gb ty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maj0rgamer Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 (edited) sorry... the x86 architecture will only be able to use about 3.25gb of ram... it may be possible for the system to recognize the 4gb... but as far as getting it to use all 4gb, it's not possible as far as the physical limitations of the x86 architecture of vista 32-bit is concerned. if you want more than about 3.25gb of ram to be utilized, at this time, it's a 64-bit operating system that what will run it...perhaps vista x64 or even a windows 7 64-bit beta version. there are no ways around the physical limitations, which is a very big reason for the 64-bit operating system thing to pretty much become the absolute norm going into 2009... and it's highly doubtful, if you upgrade, that you will regret it. Edited April 19, 2009 by Maj0r Gamer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great_Gig Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 (edited) The short answer is no to both unfortunately, which is all down to memory addressing. In effect the 4GB memory limit of a 32-bit Windows operating system is purely theoretical. In the real world the maximum memory is usually significantly less, which is equal to your 4GB physical memory, minus your video card memory and the address space allocated to other hardware resources. This in practice normally relates to a maximum memory of somewhere between 2.5GB and 3.5GB. Unfortunately, most find this out after they buy 4GB of RAM and are mystified as to why the operating system does not recognise it all and then ask the question. As you will probably see if you read the sigs of a lot on this forum, 2GB is a norm for those running 32bit OS's. And certainly when RAM was expensive, it just wasn't worth buying more for a 32bit OS. However, modern computer hardware is designed to support maximums way in excess of this previous 2GB norm and it will allow you to use it when moving up to a 64bit OS. 2 x 2GB kits make sense now as they are so affordable and will be useful for later on. EDIT: Lol, as ever the answer was posted before I finished typing my reply Edited April 19, 2009 by Great_Gig Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthranas Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 (edited) alright well i found that for 10 bucks i can get the 64 bit version of vista because i bought the 32 bit version but when i get 4 bit would i have to reinstall every thing like a reformat or would it just be boom 64-bit and how do i find if my system will work with 64 bit that is if i dont have to reformat thanks Edited April 19, 2009 by Arthranas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Septe Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 You can google for Vista 4 gig ram recognition and find various articles explaining the situation. As Maj0r Gamer has said, 64 bit OS are the wave of the future. Right now, many software don't run correctly but the software companies are coming out with 64 bit version of their programs so expect to see more software compatibility. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingfisher Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 You can google for Vista 4 gig ram recognition and find various articles explaining the situation. As Maj0r Gamer has said, 64 bit OS are the wave of the future. Right now, many software don't run correctly but the software companies are coming out with 64 bit version of their programs so expect to see more software compatibility. Can you list which software that does not run correctly so I don't buy and install it? Assuming I was going to buy and install it, thanks. :thumbs-up: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zertz Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 Can you list which software that does not run correctly so I don't buy and install it?Assuming I was going to buy and install it, thanks. :thumbs-up: It's basically impossible to compile such a list. The vast majority of programs now work properly in 64 bit Vista Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebarone Posted April 19, 2009 Posted April 19, 2009 alright well i found that for 10 bucks i can get the 64 bit version of vista because i bought the 32 bit version but when i get 4 bit would i have to reinstall every thing like a reformat or would it just be boom 64-bit and how do i find if my system will work with 64 bit that is if i dont have to reformat thanks You will have to reformat and re-install the OS, there is no 32-to64 bit "upgrade" install. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmy94 Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 Hah, i tried 32-bit to 64-bit upgrade, and i'm telling you it is not fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLS2008 Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 Your system will support the 64-bit OS, but you will most likely have to reformat and reinstall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjloki Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 You will have to reformat and re-install the OS, there is no 32-to64 bit "upgrade" install. the 64bit install gives you the option of saving all your old files and folders in a desktop folder called windows.old so you don't lose anything per se....it's just not where you left it anymore....or you can go clean and wipe the whole mess... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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