W7 32bit ... can I use all of my 4GB RAM ?

[sargan]

Just upgraded to W7 32bit ... it's on a Dell 9200 with 4 GB RAM

W7 shows 4GB installed 3GB usable ..... is that as good as I can get ? ........... seems hell of a waste to not use 25% of available RAM ?

32bit s/w should allow addressing up to 4GB ..

Is there something I need to set ? or is that it with W7

 

[zigzag3143]

Just upgraded to W7 32bit ... it's on a Dell 9200 with 4 GB RAM

W7 shows 4GB installed 3GB usable ..... is that as good as I can get ? ........... seems hell of a waste to not use 25% of available RAM ?

32bit s/w should allow addressing up to 4GB ..

Is there something I need to set ? or is that it with W7

Without special hardware and software ~3.25 gigs is all you will get. If your hardware can handle it run 64 bit.

 

[C-11]

4GB of ram is max for Win 7 32 bit.

Memory Limits for Windows Releases

 

[seavixen32]

The 32-bit version of Windows can only use a maximum 3.25GB of RAM although in Windows 7 the system properties window will display the 4GB that is installed.

If you want the benefit of the full 4GB you would need to install the 64-bit version of Windows.

 

[sargan]

4GB of ram is max for Win 7 32 bit.

Memory Limits for Windows Releases

That is why I am asking ... I have 4GB ... yet W7 is only using 3GB of it ?

 

[pparks1]

And remember, 4GB is all that 32bit can address. And that takes into account video ram, etc. So, as others said about 3.25GB is all that you will get for the OS directly. As long as you don't run old 16 bit apps and your hardware has 64bit drivers, this is the way to go.

 

[Layback Bear]

Go to Start and type in resmon and have look at the ram section at the top of page. I will show you exactly what
ram is doing and amounts.

 

[seavixen32]

4GB of ram is max for Win 7 32 bit.

Memory Limits for Windows Releases

That is why I am asking ... I have 4GB ... yet W7 is only using 3GB of it ?

We repeat: Windows 7 32-bit CANNOT use more than 3.25GB, but system properties will show that you have 4GB installed.

 

[sinbin]

no u cant use it,,flop your 64 bit disk and run that,,

 

[C-11]

Good explanation here by Lordbob75 & zzz2496.

32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison - Windows 7 Forums

 

[sargan]

no u cant use it,,flop your 64 bit disk and run that,,

Not sure what ' flop' your 64 bit disk means ?


I have only just upgraded to W72 32 ultimate ... as the Windows 7 compatibility tester advised this was the most complete version of W7 I could install.

I just run tester gain and for 64bit it advise "you will need to install a custom install"

It does give me a link to Dell website - which seems as much use as a chocolate teapot.
I'm assuming my h/w is only 32bit and not going to get the benefits of a 64 bit system.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If a Microsoft application told you that 64-bit would require a custom install, why not do a custom install of 64-bit?

Is this the tool to which you refer:

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - Download - Microsoft Windows

 

[sargan]

Yep..that was the tool

 

[whs]

This is not a RAM question but a question of Address Space. 32bit has an address space of 4GB-1 and all components that have memory or need RAM have to be accomodated in that space.

Even if you have e.g. a GPU with let's say 1GB of it's own memory, it will need the address space from the 4GBs in order to be able to address it's own memory. Then there are a few other system components that need address space or real RAM.

Bottom line: typically a 32bit system with 4GB of RAM will give you 3.25GB usable. But if you have a bigger requirement for the GPU, it can be less.

Here is an article that describes it pretty well: Maximum Memory in 32-bit Windows Vista : Windows Vista and Windows 7 Help

• http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-installation-upgrade/77010-ram-q.html#