Memory Question

[yanks0826]

I have Windows 7 x32 installed and I have 4 gig of memory. How can I tell if I am using all four, or should I try to upgrade to 64-bit?

 

[MacGyvr]

Control Panel, System will tell you if Windows is seeing/using all four....more than likely not. You might consider dual-booting with 64 bit (dont activate it right away) to decide.

 

[DocBrown]

Check you system info

 

[yanks0826]

It says Installed memory: 4gb (3.37GB usable).

So, am I good?

 

[yanks0826]

Check you system info

How do I use the CPU-Z program? Do I need to DL?

 

[harpua]

Even if it shows the 4 GB, the 32 bit version of Windows cannot address all of it. If you want to get full use out of all 4 GB, you have to go with the x64 version.

You need to make sure that your CPU and system board are compatible with x64 before attempting to switch over or dual boot for a while (good idea there). There are online compatibility tools that can tell you whether your system can run an x64 OS.

 

[thefabe]

You're good. You can use windows update advisor, to see if you can run 64 bit. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor

 

[DocBrown]

Cpu-z programs can be found at MajorGeeks FreeWare

 

[yanks0826]

You're good. You can use windows update advisor, to see if you can run 64 bit. Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

I ran it and says that I can run x64.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Unless you plan to upgrade to 6 or 8 gigs of RAM, I don't think I would bother with 64 bit. If you stick with 4 gigs of RAM, you would only gain access to about .6 gigs of additional RAM.

Do you know whether you are using all of your current RAM at any time?

 

[yanks0826]

Cpu-z programs can be found at MajorGeeks FreeWare

So, what is this telling me?

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5336/45597462.png

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[yanks0826]

Oh, so should I just stay with 32-bit? Or will I see a difference if I upgrade?

 

[DocBrown]

Good Memory, Cpu speed a little slow

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[Roddy]

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

 

[logicearth]

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.

 

[Win7User512]

It says Installed memory: 4gb (3.37GB usable).

So, am I good?

When SP1 for Vista was released, MS (in it's "infinite wisdom") decided to have Windows display 4GB RAM even though 32bit versions didn't use all. However, average users will be fine with 32 bit and not having 4GB or more of RAM.

 

[yanks0826]

Good Memory, Cpu speed a little slow

Is my CPU speed slow because of hardware, or is there something I can do to speed it up?