installed 4GB but shown 3GB?

[langong]

Installed 4GB rams, system info says 4GB , but system in Control Panel says 3GB ? Should I be concern?

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3559/3or4gigmj8.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/3or4gigmj8.jpg/1/w522.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img86/3or4gigmj8.jpg/1/)

[Emancipated]

OS limitation?

[Gee]

There is an limit with 32 Bit operating systems. I am surprised that you even register 3 Gigs. XP 32 Bit and Vista 32 Bit can only really address 2.5 Gigs of RAM.

That is why there are 64 Bit versions of the Operating System that can address more RAM.

[rfd_lurker]

the OS is limited... but can other programs access that extra GB of memory?

[Gee]

the OS is limited... but can other programs access that extra GB of memory?

No

[ben_liu]

There is an limit with 32 Bit operating systems. I am surprised that you even register 3 Gigs. XP 32 Bit and Vista 32 Bit can only really address 2.5 Gigs of RAM.

That is why there are 64 Bit versions of the Operating System that can address more RAM.

I got 3.25GB showing with my XP 32bit. Should really switch back to Vista tho.

[rfd_lurker]

anyone want to trade XP MCE 2k5 32bit for a XP pro 64 bit??? ;)

[Gee]

I got 3.25GB showing with my XP 32bit. Should really switch back to Vista tho.

I guess it varies depending on the hardware used. Either way, there is no guarantee that any 32 Bit opearting system can address the memory.

My Intel DP35DP motherboard says 3.24 Gigs

[vincent-poon]

is it hard to upgrade to XP 64bit?

[ASharp]

Not really...you just get a copy of the Windows XP x64 disc and install it like normal.

[CNeufeld]

is it hard to upgrade to XP 64bit?

Dont' do XP 64 bit. At least, not without researching all your hardware drivers first. Nobody supported that OS. Vista 64 bit is a better choice.

Clint

[sabertooth]

the OS is limited... but can other programs access
that extra GB of memory?

Well, applications request memory through the OS. So if the OS can't address those memory, it won't be able to allocate memory from that region.

[langong]

thanks, good to know about that OS limitation, so there's no different if I take 1 GB off the slot ?

[Amourek]

Some motherboards seem to address memory better than others. My Gigabyte EP35-DS3R gives me 3.5GB usable.

Also note that the amount of memory on your graphics card gets deducted as well. So if you have a 512MB graphics card now and upgrade to a 1GB model, you will lose another 512MB of usable system RAM. If you downgrade you will get some back.

[Riffer]

Mine (XP Pro 32bit) shows 3.5 = 4 on the motherboard - .5 on the video card, so looks good.

[Gee]

thanks, good to know about that OS limitation, so there's no different if I take 1 GB off the slot ?

Chances are, you have a dual channel motherboard, so memory is installed in pairs.

I would just leave the memory in.

[langong]

ya I think so, if I swap 2-512 will the system be slower to the point that I can see it , don't want to waste 1GB :)