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    4GB on Windows Vista 32-bit OS and Intel X3100?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by NoteBooks4Ever, Apr 7, 2008.

  1. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    I wanted to know, and I am not much informed about this but a little bit. If 4GB of RAM are installed in a notebook with the OS being Windows Vista (any version) and it is the 32-bit OS, then Windows completely ignores the extra 1GB? Like a notebook with the integrated Intel X3100 graphics, would 4GB be better than just 3GB for the Intel X3100, or would the extra 1GB not be recognized?
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Apr 7, 2008
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  2. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    More like it will give you 3.2-3.3 gbs but yes it would not be used.

    If you installed any 64 bit os then it would all be used.
     
    nizzy1115, Apr 7, 2008
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  3. Kreeeee

    Kreeeee Notebook Evangelist

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    My m1330 with an 8400 gs graphics card and 4GB of RAM gives me access to a little over 3.5 GB.
     
    Kreeeee, Apr 7, 2008
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  4. hcp

    hcp Notebook Consultant

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    Windows Vista 32bit can only recognize 3.5gb. If you upgrade to Vista SP1, your laptop will see the 4gb, but will still use 3.5gb.
     
    hcp, Apr 7, 2008
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  5. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    So does a Windows Vista Service Pack 1 install make 4GB more available? Should I save my money and get the 3GB because of the the Intel integrated X3100 graphics or bump it up to 4GB? What will 4GB give me anyways for the whole OS in all? I'm just more concerned with whether integrated graphics need the full amount or not. The option is given for 4GB, and for what reason, I don't know why...
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Apr 7, 2008
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  6. Kreeeee

    Kreeeee Notebook Evangelist

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    I have SP1, can see the 4 GB and can use 3.5 GB, which is good enough for me :)
     
    Kreeeee, Apr 7, 2008
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  7. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    So it would be better to use as much RAM as I can get that will work? 3.5GB of RAM is better than just 3GB, no?
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Apr 7, 2008
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  8. Signal2Noise

    Signal2Noise Über-geek.

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    But...hardware such as a video card will still access the remaining memory. So yes, 4GB is still beneficial in a 32-bit system. However going over 4GB (which not many, if any, laptops do yet) will require the 64-bit o/s.
     
    Signal2Noise, Apr 7, 2008
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  9. hcp

    hcp Notebook Consultant

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    If you have the chance to install 4gb, go ahead and do it. RAM is so cheap these days :D
     
    hcp, Apr 7, 2008
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  10. NoteBooks4Ever

    NoteBooks4Ever Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks all for the honest advice...
     
    NoteBooks4Ever, Apr 7, 2008
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  11. capntang

    capntang Notebook Guru

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    Are you certain on that? As in, 100% certain? Hardware such as video cards are not exempt from the 4GB address space, as far as I understand. If you're running a 32-bit version of Windows, you will not be able to fully utilize 4GB of memory, period.

    In the end, I would say it comes down to cost. 4GB doesn't cost that much more than 3GB, unless you're buying it from Dell (which you shouldn't).
     
    capntang, Apr 7, 2008
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  12. Samuel613

    Samuel613 Notebook Evangelist

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    I think you're both agreeing with each other.

    A 32-bit OS is limited to 4 GB of addressable space, including System RAM, Video RAM and whatever else.

    Although Vista SP1 now displays the total amount installed, it has the same limitation of non-SP1.

    As has been noted here many times, an M133O will be able to use 3.5 GB RAM in Vista x86. Vista x64, however, will be able to use the entire 4 GB of system RAM (or more, depending on the motherboard) regardless of any video RAM or other addressed memory.

    For other systems, this may mean that you'll only see 3 GB if you have a powerful graphics card, since that extra .5 GB will be addressed to the Video RAM, instead of the system RAM.

    RAM is so cheap that the full 4 GB seems like a wise investment over 3 GB.
     
    Samuel613, Apr 8, 2008
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