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32bit Windows & RAM addressing

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7 replies

by jose.schmoe1 1 view

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For 32 bit vista, is it true you can only access up to a max of 2GB RAM?

How about for 32 bit XP?

If the answer is Y for either of those, what do you do with the extra 1GB RAM?

7 replies

by cg it

but you don't really get 100% of 4GB more like 3.35GB

XP is the same.

64 bit can address more...

by jose.schmoe1

what happened to the last .5GB in 32bit Win.

Thanks for the speedy reply

by thechas

Here is a link to a Microsoft article on memory limits for various versions of Windows.

The 2GB limit is for virtual memory per process.

As to the 4GB physical limit for 32 bit systems, the structure of most 32 bit motherboards reserves up to 1GB of upper memory address space for system processes and housekeeping functions. Even if you install 4GB of RAM, you cannot access the uppermost memory.
I believe that in the case of a 64 bit motherboard and a 32 bit OS, that you can access the full 4GB of RAM.

As to what to do with any memory beyond what the OS itself can use. You might consider setting up a RAM disk and using the extra RAM for a very fast page file.

Chas

by jose.schmoe1

The link that you referred to in your post is missing unless somehow TechRepublic blocked it. Can you pls resend?

Also, if I understand what you're saying is in a 3 or 4GB RAM system, the last Gig or so is for OS use, correct?

I kind of figured out that with anything above 2GB other than what OS uses, is yours to keep. A Vdrive is also what I was thinking about. Any special way to set up the Vdrive or will Windows take care of it itself to save page faults?

Finally in a 2GB system where does the OS put its stuff? Because I figure that in a 2GB system, all of it belongs to the user, OS hands off! Pls expound.

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