Ram Troubles

[xemkis]

Alright, here's the rundown: I have 3GB installed and working. I add a 2GB Stick into the open slot, turn my computer back on, check properties of My Computer, and it says 5GB installed, 3GB Usable. Can anyone explain this? I am running Windows 7 Pro, 32-bit. Much thanks.

 

[saeen]

You need to install 64-bit OS if you want to use 3GB+ RAM.

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[Clinkz]

All 32-bit client versions of Windows have a 4GB address space As apposed to 64 bit which can have much more.

Unfortunately you can't use the entire 4GB of address space. Even though you have a 4GB address space, you can only use around 3.1GB of RAM.

The reason for this is because some of that address space is used by hardware and is not available for use by the operating system and applications. The amount you can use will vary, depending on what hardware you have installed

It can range from as little as 2GB to as much as 3.5GB. But most of the time ( that I've found) it is around 3.1GB.

 

[whs]

Here is some reading material about the problem: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista : Windows Vista and Windows 7 Help