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#11
So, what is this telling me?
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5336/45597462.png
So, what is this telling me?
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5336/45597462.png
Not a whole lot that is pertinent. You have 4 gigs of Crucial DDR 2 6400. Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't help you on your decision regarding 64 bit.
Oh, so should I just stay with 32-bit? Or will I see a difference if I upgrade?
Personally, I wouldn't, unless I KNEW repeat KNEW that I was using all of my existing RAM regularly, and was therefore going to buy more RAM.
There is no overriding reason for most people to move to 64 bit, particularly if they don't have RAM issues and know they need more. 32 bit systems can't access more than 3 to 3.5 gigs of RAM, but you haven't established you need more than 2 gigs, let alone 3.
If you buy a new PC tomorrow, it will probably have 64 bit on it. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
Others may have another opinion.
Yank:
To see how much RAM you are using:
Type gadgets into your search box on the start menu.
Choose add gadgets to the desktop.
Choose the one marked CPU meter.
It will end up on your desktop. The front meter is CPU usage; the back meter is RAM usage.
If you never see that RAM meter up near 100%, more memory is pointless in your case.
Plus, unless I am mistaken, your decision as to whether to go to 64bit may be driven partially by WHAT other devices you have connected to your PC and by, therefore, as to whether there are 64bit drivers available to use. If not, (some of) your existing devices may not work.
If you use video/picture/music editing software that is memory-hungry and you can upgrade memory AND drivers, maybe go for it. Otherwise, what's actually WRONG with what you have?
Rgds
Rod
A 32 bit OS can address 4 GB of memory, it is not limited to 3 to 3.5 GB. What is causing this is hardware reservations done by the chipset. Unless the BIOS has a memory remapping setting, you will never seen that memory even with an 64 bit OS. This is a limitation of the chipset.