Mine sees 3.25G.Originally Posted by clocker
How much RAM can 32-bit Vista actually see...3.12GB.
Limited just like XP was/is.
I guess there is a range...that alone is enough to make me drop the dough for 64-bit...
en(un)lightened
Mine sees 3.25G.How much RAM can 32-bit Vista actually see...3.12GB.
Limited just like XP was/is.
I guess there is a range...that alone is enough to make me drop the dough for 64-bit...
"Researchers have already cast much darkness on the subject, and if they continue their investigations, we shall soon know nothing at all about it."
-Mark Twain
The restriction of how much memory your system can use is based on how many bits your processor is. Not the operating system (unless the OS has its own artificial limits).Mine sees 3.25G.
I guess there is a range...that alone is enough to make me drop the dough for 64-bit...
4GB is what XP can support. Thats because XP is using the 32bit enviroment.
32bit register = 2^32 addresses or 4 gigs of ram that can be addressed.
64 bit register = 2^64 addresses or 17,179,869,185 gigs of ram (16 exabytes)
Clearly Vista or any other 64bit OS isn't going to support 16 exabytes of RAM. There is no reason to create memory maps for 16 exabytes of RAM (due to hardware restrictions 16 exabytes won't be around for a few years). So, 64Bit Operating Systems create artificial limits on how much ram they allow. For example, Windows Vista Ultimate supports 128 GB of Ram. Apple's Mac Pro support up to 16GB i believe.
As for installing 64bit Vista. Depends on if you trust Microsoft's WoW64. WoW is the emulation software vista uses to handle the 64bit-32bit difference. So if your playing a 32bit game in a 64bit environment its running in a virtual environment (virtual is never as good as actual). If WoW is good (i haven't had a lot of experience with it) then the 64bit Vista is probably better. If WoW is not efficient then stick with 32Bit Vista.... i don't know enough about WoW to voice a strong opinion. But, what i do know is that NTVDM (i think thats the name) was the process windows used to emulate 16bit apps in a 32bit Windowsenvironment and it seems to work pretty well.
Last edited by scottwile; 10-06-2007 at 08:20 PM.
en(un)lightened
I knew that.The restriction of how much memory your system can use is based on how many bits your processor is. Not the operating system (unless the OS has its own artificial limits).
Mine sees 3.25G.
I guess there is a range...that alone is enough to make me drop the dough for 64-bit...
4GB is what XP can support. Thats because XP is using the 32bit enviroment.
32bit register = 2^32 addresses or 4 gigs of ram that can be addressed.
64 bit register = 2^64 addresses or 17,179,869,185 gigs of ram (16 exabytes)
Clearly Vista or any other 64bit OS isn't going to support 16 exabytes of RAM. There is no reason to create memory maps for 16 exabytes of RAM (due to hardware restrictions 16 exabytes won't be around for a few years). So, 64Bit Operating Systems create artificial limits on how much ram they allow. For example, Windows Vista Ultimate supports 128 GB of Ram. Apple's Mac Pro support up to 16GB i believe.
As for installing 64bit Vista. Depends on if you trust Microsoft's WoW64. WoW is the emulation software vista uses to handle the 64bit-32bit difference. So if your playing a 32bit game in a 64bit environment its running in a virtual environment (virtual is never as good as actual). If WoW is good (i haven't had a lot of experience with it) then the 64bit Vista is probably better. If WoW is not efficient then stick with 32Bit Vista.... i don't know enough about WoW to voice a strong opinion. But, what i do know is that NTVDM (i think thats the name) was the process windows used to emulate 16bit apps in a 32bit Windowsenvironment and it seems to work pretty well.
Good post, actually.
Lends to my understanding, like.
"Researchers have already cast much darkness on the subject, and if they continue their investigations, we shall soon know nothing at all about it."
-Mark Twain
BT Rep: +2
Actually you are right - the OS has its own artificial limit
Moreover ,64 bit vista contains a 64 bit version of WMP which has a much superior audio stack which does not even resample non ac3 or dts video or audio. Also HD movies will run smoother
en(un)lightened
More good factage...
"Researchers have already cast much darkness on the subject, and if they continue their investigations, we shall soon know nothing at all about it."
-Mark Twain
m@D @n!m3
BT Rep: +1
i'm running and have been running win vista 64-bit ultimate edtion for a year now and i don't have any problems with it. i have ALL the drivers for all my hardware and everything works fine. that being said, upon upgrade of my pc i'm not sure if i wanna use the 32bit or 64bit versions of vista. i have both, but i'm thinking this world still isn't ready for a 64bit os and the 32bit will be more compatible for future proof. i may change my mind for i may run 4gb of ram and if i run 4gb i want it to recognize all of it. so, i may just run the 64bit. idk, we'll see. dilemmas.
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