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64 Posts
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11432
June 20th, 2008 19:00
32-Bit DOES work with 4GB of Ram with SP1, I'm told...
Hi...
So I've had a TON of frustration after realizing that 32-bits don't work with 4GB of ram. I've been trying to get the "policy" that I read where I can get a 64-Bit as long as I have proof that I purchased a 32-Bit (which I do). I just realized that the policy changed a few days ago so I barely missed it...
ANYWAY, I ended up calling Dell.com XPS Laptop support one last time just to check and see what they would say. I ended up getting a response somewhat like this:
"Pre-SP1, the operating system was like a tree obstructing a house (the house being the 4GB of ram), making not all the ram being able to be utilized and/or seen. What SP1 does is move that "tree" to another location, allowing up to a maximum of 4GB of ram."
I havn't heard this from anywhere else on the forums, so I wanted to check... is it true???
***prays that it's true so I don't have to spend 200 bucks to upgrade***
Thanks guys!
Kaaji1359
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64 Posts
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June 20th, 2008 20:00
Well the real question is: The biggest programs I use are (1) Age of Conan, (2) MATLAB, and (3) SolidWorks, which is a 3-D modeling software.
Age of Conan is huge and the biggest graphics game there is out there. How much would upgrading to 64-bit help me??
Vexrm
18 Posts
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June 20th, 2008 20:00
Chances are unless you know what you're doing and can find the right drivers not at all.
Even with the right drivers I've heard of issues with AoC running on x64. I don't play it so can't speak from experience though City of Heroes was hard enough to get running.
I'm now very deeply second guessing my knowledge on these things.
Kaaji1359
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64 Posts
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June 20th, 2008 20:00
I forgot to mention that I have a 256MB video card along with the 4GB of ram.........
So I would only be losing 256MB of ram then?? So upgrading to 64 bit wouldn't make much of a difference??? Or does it actually support 4,256MB??
Vexrm
18 Posts
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June 20th, 2008 20:00
Many things take up ram space that don't have ram listed on them, it's what physical addresses they want so you'll probably see a bigger drop then that.....
HOWEVER, searching (and digging, and prying...) it seems though the user doesn't see it all, Vista will indeed use and all ram up to and past the address limitations without getting the x64 version.
Still missing out on some cool memory features but if you don't code for fun they shouldn't matter.
Link that's a bit outdated but explains it better then the updated ones http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx
kirkd
4 Operator
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5.2K Posts
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June 21st, 2008 03:00
I am amazed that with the amount of posts discussing this, there is still a lot of confusion.
See, for example:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/01/14/windows-vista-32-bit-and-64-bit-x86-and-x64-maximum-supported-ram-physical-memory-limit/
A 32-bit OS is limited to 4GB of ADDRESS SPACE. If you had nothing in the PC except for the processor and 4GB of RAM, all the RAM would be usable. Because of the need for ADDRESS SPACE by other systems, the address space is reduced by the amount needed. In an M1530 with a 256MB video system, the 256MB dedicated video RAM needs to be REMAPPED to 256MB of CPU ADDRESS SPACE so the processor can read the video RAM. Other systems also need some ADDRESS SPACE, resulting to about 400MB of system ADDRESS SPACE being reserved by the 32-bit OS for the other systems. This leaves about 3.6GB of ADDRESS SPACE available to 4GB of system RAM. The 0.4 GB of system RAM that would have been addressed in this 0.4GB of ADDRESS SPACE is not, and can not, be used for anything. Nothing can use it, as the OS has locked out the space.
Vista SP1 shows the total installed RAM as the physical amount, wheras Vista original showed only the usable amount. The actual available RAM is listed with SP1 in several locations, such as on the Performance Tab of the Task Manager.
Use of a 64-bit OS will allow use of the entire 4GB (or more) of RAM, as the OS can map the system needs to any ADDRESS SPACE where RAM is not located.
If you have only 3GB of RAM, all 3GB is usablewith the 32-bit OS.
Having only 3.6GB available is not a real problem, as 32-bit windows can only use a maximum of 2GB RAM with any single program.
Vista 64 is the answer, but it may be more trouble than it's worth because of driver issues.
XPS M1530, Vista Home Premium SP1, T7250 Core 2 Duo (2.0 GHz 800 MHz FSB), 4 GB DDR2 667 MHz RAM, 200 GB SATA II 7200 RPM, Nvidia 8600M GT 256 MB - 174.31 Driver, Wireless-AGN Mini-Card, BlueTooth, WSXGA+ High Def LCD (1680x1050) w/ 2 MP Camera
Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP SP2/ Vista Home Premium SP1, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP
Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA
mpo
2 Intern
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399 Posts
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June 21st, 2008 12:00
This was posted (Re: eligibility for 64-bit upgrade) in the XPS Desktop forum by Dell-Chris_M:
"Dell policy currently states that Consumer customers are not eligible for the 64-bit operating system free upgrade DVD. A Consumer customer is someone who purchased the PC through the Home and Home Office segment.
The 64-bit operating system free upgrade DVD applies only to purchasers of Vista Business or Vista Ultimate who purchased the PC through the Small & Medium Business or Large Business segments. You are not eligible at all if you purchased Vista Home."
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=Tech_Talk_XPS&thread.id=65757
DeathRider
549 Posts
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June 21st, 2008 12:00
How much overhead does a 64bit OS use as opposed to a 32 bit OS...and if that would impact a 4GB system...
kirkd
4 Operator
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5.2K Posts
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June 21st, 2008 21:00
Good question DeathRider. I had found several posts comparing the two with 4GB RAM:
(1) 32 bit: 0.8GB initially
64 bit: 1.2GB initially
The following from Tom's Hardware:
(2) 32 bit: 560MB for System Usage
64 bit: 760MB for System Usage
In addition, variables and memory references are twice as large in 64 bit Vista, so many apps are 20-40% larger in memory than 32 bit Vista. Conclusion from Tom's was that going to 64 bits to gain full usage og 4GB RAM wa sa waste of effort.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vista-workshop,1775-5.html
XPS M1530, Vista Home Premium SP1, T7250 Core 2 Duo (2.0 GHz 800 MHz FSB), 4 GB DDR2 667 MHz RAM, 200 GB SATA II 7200 RPM, Nvidia 8600M GT 256 MB - 174.31 Driver, Wireless-AGN Mini-Card, BlueTooth, WSXGA+ High Def LCD (1680x1050) w/ 2 MP Camera
Dimension 9100, Dual-Boot Win XP SP2/ Vista Home Premium SP1, 3.0 GHz P4, 3 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung (XP), 300 GB SATA II Seagate (Vista), 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz - XP, 400/800 MHz - Vista, Vista Driver - 169.25), Dell 1901 UltraSharp FP
Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 2 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS - 156.69 Driver, 17” Sharp UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA
DeathRider
549 Posts
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June 22nd, 2008 02:00
Thanks for that info...