3GB in 2 DIMM slots!

I have only two DIMM slots with a 2GB stick in one on my desktop running vista 32bit, should I install an identical 2GB to activate dual channel, making it 4GB, or should I just get another 1GB to stay within the 32bit OS limitations of 3GB?
each slot can operate with a maximum of 4GB RAM sticks a total of 8GB.
And if I do go to 4GB, can't Vista allocate the video memory from the excess of the 3GB limitation, and can't I use the extra as well as a RAMDISK?



Colin Barnhorst wrote:

That doesn't matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like.
20-Jan-08

That does not matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like. Notebook ram is not
the same as desktop ram where you have a pair of dual channel dimm slots.
On a notebook do not worry about things like dual

Previous Posts In This Thread:

On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:17 PM
J wrote:

4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
I have 4GB of physical RAM, windows vista shows only 3326MB. Does it really
help with performance if I have 4GB or should I just install 3GB memory? I
just bought the additional 2GB memory (had 2GB be

On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:32 PM
Tom Lake wrote:

Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
If your motherboard is dual-channel capable, install memory in pairs.
3 GB is OK if you install 1 GB, 1 GB, 512 MB, 512 MB

If you do not install in pairs, you will not get the benefit of Dual-channel

On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:34 PM
Cal Bear '66 wrote:

If it is dual channel memory, you definitely do NOT want to use just one 1GB
If it is dual channel memory, you definitely do NOT want to use just one 1GB
stick. Leave well enough alone -- at least you got 1/3 G of RAM more, and RAM
is cheap now (about $US 50/G) -- or install

On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:36 PM
J wrote:

Thanks. But this doesn't seem to answer my question.
Thanks. But this does not seem to answer my question.

I want to know if I should have 3BG or 4GB installed and whether the
additional 1Gb will help with the performance given that vista only show
3.

On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:49 PM
Tom Lake wrote:

Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
You will not notice a difference between the two if you have memory in pairs.
If you already have two 1 GB sticks and two 512 MB sticks, use them,
otherwise
I'd go for the four 1 GB sticks and get the

On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:53 PM
Curious wrote:

If you can install 3GB and get Vista to recognize it then there is almost no
If you can install 3GB and get Vista to recognize it then there is almost no
benefit to installing 4GB and only have 3.2GB of it used by the OS with the
address space for the remainder being used to s

On Friday, December 07, 2007 4:03 PM
AJR wrote:

This is one of those topics that keeps popping up and can be answered by
This is one of those topics that keeps popping up and can be answered by
"reviewing" previous posts.

Article #929605, Support.com, addresses all your questions including a "Work
around". Following ar

On Friday, December 07, 2007 4:25 PM
Tim Slattery wrote:

Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
it is normal for 32-bit Vista (or any other 32-bit system) not to see
the entire 4GB. Some of the 4GB address space must be used to access
video memory, BIOS, etc. See http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

On Friday, December 07, 2007 4:31 PM
Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
wrote:



Two points:

1. All 32-bit versions of Windows (XP as well as Vista), even though
they have a 4GB address space, can only use *around* 3.1GB of RAM.
That's because some of that space is used

On Friday, December 07, 2007 8:08 PM
Brett I. Holcomb wrote:

Well, 32 bit systems can only address 4 gig but they use some of itfor add-on
Well, 32 bit systems can only address 4 gig but they use some of it
for add-on cards, etc. The difference between 4 gig and what you have
is what the system uses. If you have 3 gig instead of 4 you

On Friday, December 07, 2007 9:41 PM
Ian D wrote:

Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
Since you already have the 4 GB, stick with it. If you ever decide to go
64 bit you are all set. Since memory specs are always evolving it may
be difficult to find matching RAM in the future, and ol

On Friday, December 07, 2007 11:03 PM
Gene K wrote:

About any question pertaining to Windows RAM is answered On Crucial's site.
About any question pertaining to Windows RAM is answered On Crucial's site.
Start here: http://www.crucial.com/support/index.aspx?tabid=sc1 .

Gene K

On Sunday, January 13, 2008 2:17 AM
Jo wrote:

Perhaps you can help me. This is a different issue.
Perhaps you can help me. This is a different issue. I downloaded Itunes and
it said it was not installed correctly on my Vista 64 operating system. I
reinstalled it a total of three times and even

On Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:30 AM
Rick Rogers wrote:

Hi,If I recall correctly, Itunes' software is not 64-bit compatible.
Hi,

If I recall correctly, Itunes' software is not 64-bit compatible. Until they
release a version that is, you cannot use it on an x64 system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microso

On Sunday, January 13, 2008 5:44 PM
Quetion wrote:

RE: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
Exchange!
--
< C O R E - S Y S T E M >


"JC" wrote:

On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:02 PM
Colin Barnhorst wrote:

Since you don't say what hardware your using, esp which mobo and what memory
Since you do not say what hardware your using, esp which mobo and what memory
modules, the only advice is to go to the mobo manufacturer's website and
review the information on tested ram and any limi

On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:16 PM
MICHAEL wrote:

Colin,It is a pleasure to see you back... I really mean that.
Colin,

It is a pleasure to see you back... I really mean that.

I hope you are doing well, and I hope you plan to stick
around.

Take care,

Michael

On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:56 PM
Colin Barnhorst wrote:

Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
Health is better. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:09 PM
MICHAEL wrote:

I'm so happy to hear that, Colin.Absolutely thrilled to see you back.
I am so happy to hear that, Colin.
Absolutely thrilled to see you back.

Please, pardon the bragging;

Folks, Colin is one of the most helpful MVPs you will
ever encounter. He helped so many of us th

On Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:13 AM
ProDigi wrote:

RE: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
"JC" wrote:


Maybe interesting would be for notebooks!
If my notebook only has 2 slots, and I have 2GB stick installed, and wished
to increase RAM should I install 1 stick of 1GB, or 1 stick of 2GB?

On Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:00 AM
Colin Barnhorst wrote:

That doesn't matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like.
That does not matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like. Notebook ram is not
the same as desktop ram where you have a pair of dual channel dimm slots.
On a notebook do not worry about things like dual

On Monday, January 21, 2008 5:51 PM
David wrote:

the 32bit versions of XP and Vista are limited to 32Bit address space, this
the 32bit versions of XP and Vista are limited to 32Bit address space, this
has to include space for all hardware mapped into the address space as well,
so you will never see your full 4Gb of memory (

On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 8:49 PM
scrummag wrote:

i was reading this thread looking for an answer to some thing else and RICK
i was reading this thread looking for an answer to some thing else and RICK
you might be able to help me.
is there any way i can install 32 bit software onto 64 bit vista, does the
32 bit control pane

On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 10:14 PM
Rick Rogers wrote:

Hi,Most 32-bit software will install to a 64-bit system and run in 32-bit mode
Hi,

Most 32-bit software will install to a 64-bit system and run in 32-bit mode
without issue. The problems occur when the software includes device drivers,
such as the iTunes software, as these must

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:17 PM
Brian W wrote:

Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
There is now a specific 64-bit version of iTunes. You can download it from
the Apple site if you are running Vista 64.

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:58 PM
Colin Barnhorst wrote:

It is a 32-bit x64 compatible program with mostly x86 modules and two x64
It is a 32-bit x64 compatible program with mostly x86 modules and two x64
modules. By no means is it a fully 64-bit program.

EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
FREEWARE: ClearCache IE Cache Control Utility
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials...ache-ie-c.aspx

The limitation for a 32bit OS is 4GB, not 3GB. It is a simple mathematical function of 32^2. However, you get to use less than 4GB due to memory reserved by the computer's BIOS for hardware needs. It is common to see between 2.7 and 3.3GB even when 4GB is installed. This in not a problem with Windows. It is your hardware and the BIOS the manufacturer put in your computer. However, what you cannot use the system can so you are not really out anything.

Dual Channel is slightly faster than single channel so go ahead and install the matched 2GB stick. As I indicated above, you will get the advantage of 4GB even though the memory available to your programs is less than 4GB.

Vista does not allocate any memory for video. That is done by your BIOS. If you have a shared-memory system then you can adjust the amount of ram for video in the BIOS. If you have a standard video card then the BIOS will not have an option for adjusting the video ram.

You can already use a Ramdisk, albeit a very small one. You would be able to use a larger one with 4GB.

I would not consider going only to 3GB.



Brent Nora wrote:

3GB in 2 DIMM slots!
20-Oct-09

I have only two DIMM slots with a 2GB stick in one on my desktop running vista 32bit, should I install an identical 2GB to activate dual channel, making it 4GB, or should I just get another 1GB to stay within the 32bit OS limitations of 3GB?
each slot can operate with a maximum of 4GB RAM sticks a total of 8GB.
And if I do go to 4GB, can't Vista allocate the video memory from the excess of the 3GB limitation, and can't I use the extra as well as a RAMDISK?

Previous Posts In This Thread:

EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
Build a .NET 1.1 Automatic Application MSI Updater Library
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials...-automati.aspx

On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:10:47 -0700, Brent Nora wrote:

> I have only two DIMM slots with a 2GB stick in one on my
> desktop running vista 32bit,


You say "only two," but depending on what apps you run, that may be
enough for you, and any more may do next to nothing in your case.


> should I install an identical
> 2GB to activate dual channel, making it 4GB, or should


That may give you some small improvement in performance, but not
necessarily a lot.



> I just get another 1GB to stay within the 32bit OS
> limitations of 3GB?


There is no 3GB limitation. How much you can access varies, depending
on your hardware (although it's usually *around* 3GB). Here's the
scoop on the subject:

All 32-bit client versions of Windows (not just Vista/XP/7) have a 4GB
address space (64-bit versions can use much more). That's the
theoretical upper limit beyond which you can not go.

But 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.
That's because some of that space is used by hardware and is not
available to the operating system and applications. The amount you can
use varies, depending on what hardware you have installed, but can
range from as little as 2GB to as much as 3.5GB. It's usually around
3.1GB.

Note that the hardware is using the address *space*, not the actual
RAM itself. If you have a greater amount of RAM, the rest of the RAM
goes unused because there is no address space to map it to.



> each slot can operate with a maximum
> of 4GB RAM sticks a total of 8GB. And if I do go to 4GB,
> can't Vista allocate the video memory from the excess
> of the 3GB limitation,


No.


> and can't I use the extra as well
> as a RAMDISK?


No.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:02:32 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"
<kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:

> On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:10:47 -0700, Brent Nora wrote:
>
> > I have only two DIMM slots with a 2GB stick in one on my
> > desktop running vista 32bit,
>
>
> You say "only two," but depending on what apps you run, that may be
> enough for you, and any more may do next to nothing in your case.


Sorry, what I wrote is probably confusing. What I meant is that *2GB*
of RAM may be enough for you.



> > should I install an identical
> > 2GB to activate dual channel, making it 4GB, or should
>
>
> That may give you some small improvement in performance, but not
> necessarily a lot.
>
>
>
> > I just get another 1GB to stay within the 32bit OS
> > limitations of 3GB?
>
>
> There is no 3GB limitation. How much you can access varies, depending
> on your hardware (although it's usually *around* 3GB). Here's the
> scoop on the subject:
>
> All 32-bit client versions of Windows (not just Vista/XP/7) have a 4GB
> address space (64-bit versions can use much more). That's the
> theoretical upper limit beyond which you can not go.
>
> But 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.
> That's because some of that space is used by hardware and is not
> available to the operating system and applications. The amount you can
> use varies, depending on what hardware you have installed, but can
> range from as little as 2GB to as much as 3.5GB. It's usually around
> 3.1GB.
>
> Note that the hardware is using the address *space*, not the actual
> RAM itself. If you have a greater amount of RAM, the rest of the RAM
> goes unused because there is no address space to map it to.
>
>
>
> > each slot can operate with a maximum
> > of 4GB RAM sticks a total of 8GB. And if I do go to 4GB,
> > can't Vista allocate the video memory from the excess
> > of the 3GB limitation,
>
>
> No.
>
>
> > and can't I use the extra as well
> > as a RAMDISK?
>
>
> No.
>
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

The best answer is to install a second IDENTICAL 2GB stick.
Given that this is a laptop, it's likely that the Video system uses system
RAM, so the extra RAM should not be wasted.

<Brent Nora> wrote in message news:20091020221045afiea.brent@hotmail.com...
>I have only two DIMM slots with a 2GB stick in one on my desktop running
>vista 32bit, should I install an identical 2GB to activate dual channel,
>making it 4GB, or should I just get another 1GB to stay within the 32bit OS
>limitations of 3GB?
> each slot can operate with a maximum of 4GB RAM sticks a total of 8GB.
> And if I do go to 4GB, can't Vista allocate the video memory from the
> excess of the 3GB limitation, and can't I use the extra as well as a
> RAMDISK?
>
>
>
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>
> That doesn't matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like.
> 20-Jan-08
>
> That does not matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like. Notebook ram is
> not
> the same as desktop ram where you have a pair of dual channel dimm slots.
> On a notebook do not worry about things like dual
>
> Previous Posts In This Thread:
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:17 PM
> J wrote:
>
> 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> I have 4GB of physical RAM, windows vista shows only 3326MB. Does it
> really
> help with performance if I have 4GB or should I just install 3GB memory? I
> just bought the additional 2GB memory (had 2GB be
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:32 PM
> Tom Lake wrote:
>
> Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> If your motherboard is dual-channel capable, install memory in pairs.
> 3 GB is OK if you install 1 GB, 1 GB, 512 MB, 512 MB
>
> If you do not install in pairs, you will not get the benefit of
> Dual-channel
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:34 PM
> Cal Bear '66 wrote:
>
> If it is dual channel memory, you definitely do NOT want to use just one
> 1GB
> If it is dual channel memory, you definitely do NOT want to use just one
> 1GB
> stick. Leave well enough alone -- at least you got 1/3 G of RAM more, and
> RAM
> is cheap now (about $US 50/G) -- or install
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:36 PM
> J wrote:
>
> Thanks. But this doesn't seem to answer my question.
> Thanks. But this does not seem to answer my question.
>
> I want to know if I should have 3BG or 4GB installed and whether the
> additional 1Gb will help with the performance given that vista only show
> 3.
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:49 PM
> Tom Lake wrote:
>
> Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> You will not notice a difference between the two if you have memory in
> pairs.
> If you already have two 1 GB sticks and two 512 MB sticks, use them,
> otherwise
> I'd go for the four 1 GB sticks and get the
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 3:53 PM
> Curious wrote:
>
> If you can install 3GB and get Vista to recognize it then there is almost
> no
> If you can install 3GB and get Vista to recognize it then there is almost
> no
> benefit to installing 4GB and only have 3.2GB of it used by the OS with
> the
> address space for the remainder being used to s
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 4:03 PM
> AJR wrote:
>
> This is one of those topics that keeps popping up and can be answered by
> This is one of those topics that keeps popping up and can be answered by
> "reviewing" previous posts.
>
> Article #929605, Support.com, addresses all your questions including a
> "Work
> around". Following ar
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 4:25 PM
> Tim Slattery wrote:
>
> Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> it is normal for 32-bit Vista (or any other 32-bit system) not to see
> the entire 4GB. Some of the 4GB address space must be used to access
> video memory, BIOS, etc. See http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 4:31 PM
> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
>
> Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> wrote:
>
>
>
> Two points:
>
> 1. All 32-bit versions of Windows (XP as well as Vista), even though
> they have a 4GB address space, can only use *around* 3.1GB of RAM.
> That's because some of that space is used
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 8:08 PM
> Brett I. Holcomb wrote:
>
> Well, 32 bit systems can only address 4 gig but they use some of itfor
> add-on
> Well, 32 bit systems can only address 4 gig but they use some of it
> for add-on cards, etc. The difference between 4 gig and what you have
> is what the system uses. If you have 3 gig instead of 4 you
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 9:41 PM
> Ian D wrote:
>
> Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> Since you already have the 4 GB, stick with it. If you ever decide to go
> 64 bit you are all set. Since memory specs are always evolving it may
> be difficult to find matching RAM in the future, and ol
>
> On Friday, December 07, 2007 11:03 PM
> Gene K wrote:
>
> About any question pertaining to Windows RAM is answered On Crucial's
> site.
> About any question pertaining to Windows RAM is answered On Crucial's
> site.
> Start here: http://www.crucial.com/support/index.aspx?tabid=sc1 .
>
> Gene K
>
> On Sunday, January 13, 2008 2:17 AM
> Jo wrote:
>
> Perhaps you can help me. This is a different issue.
> Perhaps you can help me. This is a different issue. I downloaded Itunes
> and
> it said it was not installed correctly on my Vista 64 operating system. I
> reinstalled it a total of three times and even
>
> On Sunday, January 13, 2008 8:30 AM
> Rick Rogers wrote:
>
> Hi,If I recall correctly, Itunes' software is not 64-bit compatible.
> Hi,
>
> If I recall correctly, Itunes' software is not 64-bit compatible. Until
> they
> release a version that is, you cannot use it on an x64 system.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microso
>
> On Sunday, January 13, 2008 5:44 PM
> Quetion wrote:
>
> RE: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> Exchange!
> --
> < C O R E - S Y S T E M >
>
>
> "JC" wrote:
>
> On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:02 PM
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>
> Since you don't say what hardware your using, esp which mobo and what
> memory
> Since you do not say what hardware your using, esp which mobo and what
> memory
> modules, the only advice is to go to the mobo manufacturer's website and
> review the information on tested ram and any limi
>
> On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:16 PM
> MICHAEL wrote:
>
> Colin,It is a pleasure to see you back... I really mean that.
> Colin,
>
> It is a pleasure to see you back... I really mean that.
>
> I hope you are doing well, and I hope you plan to stick
> around.
>
> Take care,
>
> Michael
>
> On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:56 PM
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>
> Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> Health is better. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
>
> On Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:09 PM
> MICHAEL wrote:
>
> I'm so happy to hear that, Colin.Absolutely thrilled to see you back.
> I am so happy to hear that, Colin.
> Absolutely thrilled to see you back.
>
> Please, pardon the bragging;
>
> Folks, Colin is one of the most helpful MVPs you will
> ever encounter. He helped so many of us th
>
> On Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:13 AM
> ProDigi wrote:
>
> RE: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> "JC" wrote:
>
>
> Maybe interesting would be for notebooks!
> If my notebook only has 2 slots, and I have 2GB stick installed, and
> wished
> to increase RAM should I install 1 stick of 1GB, or 1 stick of 2GB?
>
> On Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:00 AM
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>
> That doesn't matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like.
> That does not matter much. Take it to 4GB if you like. Notebook ram is
> not
> the same as desktop ram where you have a pair of dual channel dimm slots.
> On a notebook do not worry about things like dual
>
> On Monday, January 21, 2008 5:51 PM
> David wrote:
>
> the 32bit versions of XP and Vista are limited to 32Bit address space,
> this
> the 32bit versions of XP and Vista are limited to 32Bit address space,
> this
> has to include space for all hardware mapped into the address space as
> well,
> so you will never see your full 4Gb of memory (
>
> On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 8:49 PM
> scrummag wrote:
>
> i was reading this thread looking for an answer to some thing else and
> RICK
> i was reading this thread looking for an answer to some thing else and
> RICK
> you might be able to help me.
> is there any way i can install 32 bit software onto 64 bit vista, does the
> 32 bit control pane
>
> On Tuesday, January 22, 2008 10:14 PM
> Rick Rogers wrote:
>
> Hi,Most 32-bit software will install to a 64-bit system and run in 32-bit
> mode
> Hi,
>
> Most 32-bit software will install to a 64-bit system and run in 32-bit
> mode
> without issue. The problems occur when the software includes device
> drivers,
> such as the iTunes software, as these must
>
> On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:17 PM
> Brian W wrote:
>
> Re: 4GB or 3GB physical memory for 32 bit wondows vista
> There is now a specific 64-bit version of iTunes. You can download it from
> the Apple site if you are running Vista 64.
>
> On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 1:58 PM
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>
> It is a 32-bit x64 compatible program with mostly x86 modules and two x64
> It is a 32-bit x64 compatible program with mostly x86 modules and two x64
> modules. By no means is it a fully 64-bit program.
>
> EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
> FREEWARE: ClearCache IE Cache Control Utility
> http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials...ache-ie-c.aspx