The Upgrading ram issues

[soloheart]

Hello all,
I am currently on Windows Vista 32-bit and I have 3 GB of RAM and I recently bought strip of 2 gb ram and I wondered if I was obliged to put my windows in 64 bits if I had 5 GB of RAM.

[Birdie]

32-bit Windows Vista does not support more than 4 GB of ram it seems to me, so if you want to use the 5 you might need the 64-bit version. But to install the 64-bit version you need 64 bts processor or dual core I think.

[deoWo]

Yes it is necessary that all components be compatible 64bit (processor, ram and motherboard)
The windows on 32bits recognize a maximum of 3.2gb but can not use that 2gb the 64bit version can use up to 16GB

[allsecur3]

you're not obliged BUT your 32 bit system will not be able to use RAM more than 4 GIG then other RAM will be wasted.

be careful on upgrading to 64 bit, make sure that all your applications are 64 bit compliance...