how to utilize all the installed memory

I have a Dell Sudio 1537 laptop that had 3g of ram and running win7 home premium. I changed out the 1g memory chip to a 4g memory chip for a total of 6g of ram. The computer recomizes the 6g of ram but is only utilizing 2.93g of it. I upgraded to win7 professional and it still is only utilizing the 2.93g of ram. Both OS's are 32 bit. Is there a way to either upgrade to 64 bit win7 profrssional or get the computer to use all 6g of ram using the current 32 bit OS? Thanks.

Mark

Thanks for the reply. Does that mean I would have to reinstall al my programs? Or is there a way to keep all my programs and files and install 64 bit win 7? Would a ssd make the computer faster?

phoenixmark said:

Thanks for the reply. Does that mean I would have to reinstall al my programs? Or is there a way to keep all my programs and files and install 64 bit win 7? Would a ssd make the computer faster?

Yes to first question.

No to second question.

Third question: you aren't likely to notice anything "faster". If you want "faster", look to a faster CPU, more or faster RAM, newer motherboard/chipset with more features--a major overhaul. Proper maintenance will have some effect.

Thanks for the answers to my questions. Maybe I'll start looking into getting a newer laptop.
Mark

I would definitely reinstall in 64 bit as should have been done in the first place, since Pro is the very same OS as Premium but with only a handful of expensive features unlocked. You'll surely notice some performance improvement.

If you want the best possible install based on what's worked best here at the home of Win7 since before it was even released, follow the steps, tools and methods compiled in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which has been used by over a million consumers without a single complaint or problem.

gregrocker said:

I would definitely reinstall in 64 bit as should have been done in the first place, since Pro is the very same OS as Premium but with only a handful of expensive features unlocked. You'll surely notice some performance improvement.

If you want the best possible install based on what's worked best here at the home of Win7 since before it was even released, follow the steps, tools and methods compiled in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which has been used by over a million consumers without a single complaint or problem.

That is way beyond what I feel comfortable doing. I'm loking into getting another laptop with win7 pro 64 bit installed to replace this one. On a related topic, another one of my laptops came with win7 pro 64 bit installed along with 6g ram. Will there be any problem repacing one memory stick with a 8g stick and having it utilize all of the ram?

phoenixmark said:

I'm loking into getting another laptop with win7 pro 64 bit installed to replace this one. On a related topic, another one of my laptops came with win7 pro 64 bit installed along with 6g ram. Will there be any problem repacing one memory stick with a 8g stick and having it utilize all of the ram?

I mis-spoke in my earlier reply to you.

An SSD would make any laptop or PC feel noticeably snappier in some operations, mostly in boot speed and application opening speed. An SSD would certainly be high on my list of priorities for any PC, but there are limitations on what an SSD could do in the face of a slow CPU or too little RAM.

Regarding replacing RAM, going from 6 to 8 gb: It's not likely you have a 6 GB stick. More likely 3 sticks of 2 GB each or a 4 and a 2.

You could remove a low capacity stick and replace it with an 8 GB stick (of the same specifications), but that may not be useful.

The only advantage to having 12 total rather than 6 total is if you are actually using all of the original 6 and running out of RAM. Do you know that? If not, the extra RAM would be a waste.

6 GB of RAM is pretty good and there's only a small chance you are using it all. I have only 4 and have never used more than 3.

A PC won't "utilize" 12 GB of RAM unless Windows says it needs more. If it's sitting there unused, you have no benefit.

More likely, you'd find the money would be better spent on an SSD. An 8 GB stick of RAM might cost you 60 or 80 bucks, and you can get an SSD for that.

Look at Task Manager and Resource Monitor to find out how much RAM you are using at any given moment.

just to add to what others had said. you would want to see what the max amount of installed ram the laptop can hold. you can use crucials web site for that. memory | United States (USD)