Should I Upgrade to 64 bit? (RAM)

[Kopmeister]

Hey guys,
Just installed a 4th stick of RAM bringing my total to 4GB, however as I knew before not all is 'usable' for whatever the OS and 750MB is for video hardware etc due to me running 32 bit. If I was to upgrade to 64 bit would I see the memory available go up to 4GB? Also it is worth mentioning that I have GPU installed on the system, 1GB RAM on it so does affect the amount allotted?
Thanks

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yeah, the entire 4 GB would be usable if you converted to 64 bit, but it's tough to recommend you go to the time and trouble to convert since you probably would never notice the difference. You'd have to do a clean install, reinstall and reconfigure all applications, etc. That might take dozens of hours.

If you were doing a clean install anyway, as you might do if you replaced a motherboard, then you might want to go with 64 bit.

4 GB is kind of on the borderline. If you had 8 GB of RAM and actually used more than 4 of the 8 on a regular basis, then maybe the conversion to 64 bit would make sense.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
At the moment win-7 home premium 64 bit is only 69.99 @Newegg with a promo code just scroll down the page here for the listing
Newegg.com - ☆Newegg Allstars☆ See Our Top-Rated Monitors & Software.

So if you have a desktop I'd say Yes run 64 bit,
If a laptop not so much it will effect the battery.

 

[Kopmeister]

I should be going uni next year so I'll need a PC of my own, planning on a £800 micro ATX for my gaming and stuff, still have the family PC which has faired well with everything I've thrown at it, its 6 years old, still running Counter Strike, Photoshop, Vegas and other stuff well. Since I play games and have many things open I think I might upgrade to 64 bit.

 

[logicearth]

Going to 64 bit does not guarantee you will get access to 4 GB or more. While it will improve your chances, at the end of the day it depends on the hardware. But I'm going to go on a limb here and say it won't matter, you will never get to use that 4 GB or more RAM on that system. The hardware just won't support it. This is common for pre-built systems (6 year old systems) that didn't come with RAM above 4 GB or a 64 bit OS.

 

[ThrashZone]

I agree
The best option for a 32 bit system is add a ssd and do a clean install to see the biggest difference you can make for an old computer

That will make a better difference than 64 bit verses 32 bit.

 

[Kopmeister]

Motherboard takes up to 8GB ram and the processor is capable of running 64 bit, just thought that since I use computer intensive applications and games most of the time that it might be wide to give it the best chance it can

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Then you should still look into or at least consider adding a ssd that alone will make the biggest difference,
Make sure the software you have is 64 bit or comes with a 64 bit version too,
Not all will offer either install,
Cheers.

 

[Kopmeister]

Just one more questions guys, this 750 mb that is being used for video hardware, does that mean there is less strain on the GPU, or is it dedicated for the GUI of Windows 7? Will I see a difference when it comes to graphical things

 

[ThrashZone]

HI,
I wouldn't worry about that stuff as long as windows is managing the ram your good,
We're talking about the amount of time it takes to access programs..... in which case 32-64 bit on a old or new hdd is not going to be a earth shattering or noticeable difference

I have both now on ssd's and the 32 bit system is very fast compared to when it was on a slow hdd,
I thought about 64 bit/ more ram.....
The fact remains ssd will no doubt make the biggest difference no matter the bit-ness.

 

[Kopmeister]

I know I shouldn't worry but I curious as to what's exactly Windows allots that 750 mb to

 

[ThrashZone]

I believe it's limited by your graphic's card
EVGA GeForce GT430 = 1gb

The remainder is on stand by incase another program... needs it.

 

[logicearth]

Windows does nothing with that hardware reserve. That hardware reserve is whatever the hardware chooses for it. Now that doesn't mean the graphics card is taking all of it. Nor does it mean it is for memory.

Please see Address Space to learn more.

The important take away:

Memory addresses for main memory, memory-mapped I/O, as well as for virtual memory;
Device addresses on an expansion bus; <---- This is mostly what Hardware Reserve goes to.