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32bit System and Max Ram
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32bit System and Max Ram // Roundtable
Post by zwilson // Jul 31, 2008, 8:37am
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zwilson
Total Posts: 35
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Finally decided to leave the dark ages of single core computing (my old 2005 notebook) and buy a dual core system. However I do have one question and thought some of you more technically inclined members would know the answer. The new computer is a 32bit system and I'm under the impression a 32bit system can't use more than 3 gigs of ram. If that is the case I don't want to waste money buying 4 gigs of ram. |
Post by Ambrose // Jul 31, 2008, 8:45am
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Ambrose
Total Posts: 261
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Hi
This is true 3 Gb is a limit for any application that is running.
Hovewer it's not a waste since if your running more than one application at a time, and who isn't that 4 Gb comes in handy helping those out :D
So the more memory the quicker things seems, switching between apps etc. and also if running several they do benefit.
The limit for a single application is still 3 Gb however.
So to sum it up, if it's cheap go for more if it's hurts your budget leave it at 3 GB as this is fine ;)
damn I only have 2 Gb... :o
SeYa/Ambrose... |
Post by TomG // Jul 31, 2008, 8:54am
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TomG
Total Posts: 3397
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That's different from my understanding - I thought a 32 bit OS can only see 3.5Gb of memory. It cannot see and use anything above that (and neither can any applications it is running).
Any single app under a 32 bit OS can only access 2Gb of memory at the most. So you could have 2 apps, one seeing 2Gb, the other using the remaining 1.5Gb (ignoring the fact that Windows itself will be using a slab of that, just to illustrate).
There is a switch in Windows ini files that can enable it to address 3Gb per application, I think it is.
Am I wrong in that thinking? I thought anything above 3.5Gb was just invisible to a 32 bit OS and not used by the OS or the apps?
Thanks!
Tom |
Post by Ambrose // Jul 31, 2008, 9:09am
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Ambrose
Total Posts: 261
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hmm and the more you read the more confused one gets? :mad:
Go for 3 GB, you can allways get more later but it should run well :rolleyes:
SeYa/Ambrose... |
Post by zwilson // Jul 31, 2008, 9:32am
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zwilson
Total Posts: 35
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Thanks guys. Wow that was fast. I just walked around the block to get lunch and already you've answered my question. The Caligari forums must be the FedEx of forums. After reading your replies I think I'm going to stick with 3 gigs for now to help keep the cost of the system down and after a few months upgrade to 4. |
Post by Emma // Jul 31, 2008, 9:37am
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Emma
Total Posts: 344
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If you wan't to use the mem betweeen 3 to 3.5 GB you need to set a switch in your boot.ini file
This is an important system file directly at C:\ where your system is installed so if you change anything on it,
- make a copy first
- watch your fingers what they are typing
in the line
- multi(0)disk(0)rdisk....
add a space at the end and then /3GB
If your mainboard supports it you then will get access to 3.5 GB. I was especially happy about it when rendering complex glass/reflection scenerys |
Post by scapino // Jul 31, 2008, 9:48am
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scapino
Total Posts: 101
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The probelm is, that a 32 processor can only address 4 billion (4 gig) addresses. The hardware on your computer needs some of those address to do its work, example, your video card memory, if its say 512 megs, takes 512 million of those 4 billion addresses to talk to the processor.
This is no problem if you have less then 3.5 gigs. The vidcards memory map is put above the 3.5 gigs, in 'virtual' memory space, and you don't loose any real ram.
However, if you have 4 gigs installed, the processor still needs to talk to the vid card, and its 512 meg adresses. Thus, this 512 megs worth of adresses go to the video card and NOT your installed ram.
There are many other devices on your computer that also require memory addresses to function (most of them in fact).
There are operating systems (servers mostly) that can access more then 4 gigs with a 32 bit processor, but they do it by something akin to the old bank addressing that the old 8 bit computers use to use. But it requires very expertly writen device drivers to make sure a driver doesnt get locked out in a bank that isnt accessed all the time. Most server have very few device drivers, as they have no need for them, they just serve files, and most dont video dispalys, sound cards, ect....
Kurt |
Post by snewnham // Jul 31, 2008, 12:41pm
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snewnham
Total Posts: 14
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Also, if you're only going with 3GB, are you getting 2 x 1GB DIMMs and 2 x 512MB DIMMs?
Using 2 x 1GB and 1 x 1GB may not be an option (some motherboards require memory to be installed in pairs). If it is an option, you may be slowing your system down considerably (the motherboard will turn off interleaved memory access for at least the single 1GB DIMM, maybe for all 3GB of memory).
Going with 2 x 1GB and 2 x 512MB avoids this problem but if in the future you want to increase the RAM, you may need to throw the 512MB DIMMs away. |
Post by Jack Edwards // Jul 31, 2008, 1:58pm
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Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
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I've found it's usually cheaper to just by 4 Gig as 2 2gig sticks and then you don't have to throw out or by new ram if you upgrade to a 64bit OS.
I've been running 64bit Vista since February 2007 and other than some issues with pro audio gear and software (now resolved) I haven't had any issues. Keep in mind that Vista uses almost 2GB for the OS, so I always recommend going 64 bit if you're buying Vista and doing graphics work.
I'm currently running 6GB ram, and soon as I get around to it, I plan to swap out 2GB with 4 GB of faster ram putting my system ram at 8 GB @ 1000Mhz. :D Bought the ram 2 months ago when it was on super sale, just been too busy to take the computer apart and install it, lol. |
Post by brotherx // Aug 2, 2008, 3:29am
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brotherx
Total Posts: 538
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Considering 4Gb costs so little, it is the way to go. I looked it up for my motherboard on crucial.com and it was only about 90 euro. That is less than what I paid for 2Gb about 2 years ago. 2x2Gb is cheaper but if you pay a little more for the 4gb, you have the option to go 8gb later. |
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