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I am looking to get a new machine with Vista. I was thinking of getting 4GB of RAM but I was told that the 32 bit version of Vista only recognizes 2 to 3 GB or RAM at the most. Only Vista 64 bit can take advantage of 4 GB RAM or more. Is this true?
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The actual memory limit is imposed by both hardware and OS. So ask before you get either. Some 32-bitters noted 3.5GB others have reported less.
Bob
Some have reported lower performance with over 2GB RAM. This is for "normal" use and not those with SQL databases, etc.
Bob
I have used both RC1 and Home Premium now and all the RAM that is available to the machine is 3.25gb. Probably quite enough, too bad you can't get change from that 4th stick.
The system RAM is indeed something I noticed
after getting my new Dell up and running.
It was purchased with 4 GB of RAM, yet the system
information shows only 3070 MB of Ram available.
No computer expert here by any means.
I'm guessing however that the Vista Operating System
demands one of the 4 GB's to function.
Hence leaving "me"/you with what ever remains on
our particular system.
In my case 3 GB's.
Am I half right?
John
It is correct that with 32 bit Windows, you are limited to 2 GB process memory limit. With /3GB switch, the programs can address up to 3 GB memory. In server grade versions of Windows (2000, 2003 Datacenter etc.), using PAE option, 32 bit OS can address more than 4 GB process memory. I don't think this option is available with Vista.
If you go to 64 bit Vista, the drivers and program availability might be limited.
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