any use in getting 4GB ram

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We are looking at a new computer. can't decide on apple or windows, yet.

Dell has some good offers on computers with 4GB RAM and quad core processors. but I have also read that unless your windows Vista and the programs can run as 64 bit the quad core system and 4GB memory will never be fully utilised. apparently most applications are still, and will be 32 bit for some time to come.

any ideas?
 
This was my understanding too which is why my new Inspiron 530 was ordered with 3GB...and it seems to run very well with that.
 
it is a confusing subject - Vista/XP does use 4gb of ram, but not all 4gb is available because it utilizes some for another function, though I forget exactly what it is.

Generally there is RAM available equivalent to 4gb-video memory, or something like this... all 4gb is being used though.

Whether youll see a real gain for 3 vs 4gb is another question. Id likely go to the max for as much benefit as I could get, especially for vista.

JMH
 
Unless the system is seeing a one or two year life cycle, install as much ram as you can afford at time of purchase - especially with integrated video. If you don't now, you'll almost always have to add ram later as time, OS updates and new application loads always increase. Don't look at the system now, map it ahead a little. It's the number one post purchase upgrade for a reason.

This question has been asked in various contexts for decades. Users agonized way back when whether to get 2 or 4mb with their new 386s.
 
Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Unless the system is seeing a one or two year life cycle, install as much ram as you can afford at time of purchase - especially with integrated video. If you don't now, you'll almost always have to add ram later as time, OS updates and new application loads always increase. Don't look at the system now, map it ahead a little. It's the number one post purchase upgrade for a reason.

This question has been asked in various contexts for decades. Users agonized way back when whether to get 2 or 4mb with their new 386s.


LOL.gif
i remember we had a 386 when I was a kid. my friend's dad had a 286, and it was a big deal when they got a 486!
 
It probably doesn't matter that the programs are 32 bit; Solaris, and maybe Vista, can execute 32 bit programs in a 64 bit environment, utilizing the 32 bit libraries. The limitation will probably be imposed on the amount of memory available TO A PROCESS, not to the whole machine; The OS is still 64 bit. I don't think you will be running into a memory limitation on a process basis unless you are doing animation/CAD work, editing movies.
 
For MS Word, IE, and pr0n videos, 2 gigs is just fine, even with Vista.

If you ran a worthwhile database (SQL, Access, etc.) 3 gigs is a good idea.

If you're a hardcore gamer / video editor (and MS Movie Maker doesn't count), 4 gigs is the way to go.

Try to buy the XP edition, if possible.

My next rig is still going to be based on XP... Sadly MS won't support it anymore.
 
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The 32 bit version of XP - Vista can not fully utilize 4 megs of ram. Not so with the 64 bit versions.

I run the 64 bit versions of Vista and Ubuntu Linux with 8 Gigs of Ram without issue.

There is another thread on the board talking about this issue + you can find much by doing a search on the web.
 
I'm gonna have to disagree with everyone who said that 2 gigs will suffice in Vista. Even with the 32 bit version of vista, 2 gigs is gonna be maxed out real fast. 3 gigs if you are going 32 bit and 4 gigs if you are going 64 bit. I play a lot of graphic intensive games and do some basic design work and I have seen that 4 gigs almost drown on several occasions.

You can never go wrong with more ram
 
I run Vista with 4GB on my laptop (dual boots between Vista 32 and Vista 64) and 8GB on my desktop (Vista 64 only). Granted, I use VMWare a lot, but the more RAM, the merrier.

Sure, a 32bit Windows OS won't see above approx 3.4GB of RAM with a 256MB video card, but that amount of RAM with Vista will be fine.

If you want to truly enjoy the Vista experience, buy a computer with the 64 bit version of Windows Vista. I run both the 32 & 64 bit versions, the 64 bit offering is a better O.S. even though they look the same. Smoother video, quicker network transfers, really good driver support puts 64 bit Vista in a 'sweet spot'.

I ran the 64 bit version of XP, it ran much better than it's 32 bit version, but drivers were hard to come by. With Vista 64, the market is mostly embracing drivers for this O.S.

Get 4GB of RAM and Vista 64 bit, you'll be glad you did.
 
Originally Posted By: SrDriver
The 32 bit version of XP - Vista can not fully utilize 4 megs of ram. Not so with the 64 bit versions.

I run the 64 bit versions of Vista and Ubuntu Linux with 8 Gigs of Ram without issue.

There is another thread on the board talking about this issue + you can find much by doing a search on the web.



SrDriver is right. 32bit XP and Vista (all OEMS come with 32bit OS's unless specified) can only access 3.0GB of ram. Vista SP1 will show 4GB on a 32bit Vista OS but in reality can only use 3GB. Vista 64bit is the way to go. Im currently running 8GB of PC2-8500 DDR2 ram. Ram prices are so low now theres no reason not to be running at least 3GB with Vista.
 
I don't get where Vista 32 bit with 4GB of RAM will see only 3.0GB of it. I routinely build computers with 4GB where Vista 32 bit sees 3.4GB with 256MB video cards. With a 512MB video card, you'll only see 3.2GB and with a 1GB video card you'll see 3.0GB of RAM.

Then again, the BIOS of the computer has a bunch to do with how much RAM the end-user actually can use in a 32bit Windows world.
 
so how do I know the vista I'd be getting is 64 bit or 32 bit???

(silly question, I know, but I have to ask)
 
I bought a Gateway @ Best Buy with a Q9300 processor & it came with a DVD Containing both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions of VISTA installed.

It was loaded with the 64 bit version which I have ran without issue.

I also run Ubuntu Linux (Gnome) 8.4 64 bit version.

System has two hard drives and rather than running Raid, use an external backup often.

Have Vista 64 bit on one HD and Ubuntu Linux on the other in a dual boot mode.

Guess the reason that it came with the 32 bit version too is if you had some software that would not run on the 64 bit version.
 
If you get 2 gb ram try to get it on one chip (or a minimal number) so you have slots open for future expansion.

I actually cheap out on ram when I build/configure a new system, as it's one thing I can add later when the price has dropped. If I upgrade a 3 ghz processor to 3.3 ghz, I have a 3 ghz paperweight.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
If you get 2 gb ram try to get it on one chip (or a minimal number) so you have slots open for future expansion.

I actually cheap out on ram when I build/configure a new system, as it's one thing I can add later when the price has dropped. If I upgrade a 3 ghz processor to 3.3 ghz, I have a 3 ghz paperweight.
This is not always a good idea depending on your motherboard. Some motherboards will perform better with matching pairs of RAM if it supports Dual Channel.
 
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