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View Full Version : Vista and XP 32 can now recognise more than 3GB memory!!!!



coiler
22-10-07, 09:40
What do you guys make of this?

Sounds too good to be true :P


http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366796.aspx

Biodoid
22-10-07, 10:02
I been running 4 gig in xp for ages now..and have PAE running but as that page says it still only shows 3gig available..

Sl4x0r
22-10-07, 11:03
Will give it a shot tonight and let you know if I get my 0.5GB back...

alexnifty
22-10-07, 11:06
I think theres an issue with the PCI bus and PCI-Cards, it needs to be compatible with PAE otherwise it wont work.

Don't ask me why, because I dont fully understand how the PCI-Bus and Memory Bus are connected.

Sl4x0r
24-10-07, 17:00
Well - all it did for me was prevent windows booting...

alexnifty
24-10-07, 17:04
Well - all it did for me was prevent windows booting...

I have read quite a few stories about getting windows to address 4GB of ram and I think the only surefire way is to get windows 64Bit.

Of course then you wont be able to run anything :P

Lynx
24-10-07, 18:58
Theres a patch that makes 4GB work on normal vista :)

alexnifty
24-10-07, 19:23
Theres a patch that makes 4GB work on normal vista :)

proof or stfu :P

Lynx
24-10-07, 19:30
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366796.aspx

was at the top the page :P

Not the patch but indicates ther is one.

alexnifty
24-10-07, 19:45
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366796.aspx

was at the top the page :P

Not the patch but indicates ther is one.

Its not a patch, its to do with a startup switch.

Its all to do with PAE which from what I'm reading will be on if DEP is hardware enabled.
My system has DEP running in hardware mode and therefore should support >4GB of RAM. WHO wants to buy me 2GB of ram to test this?

Lynx
24-10-07, 19:47
I do :P

Not really my moneys going to my new system. Unforunatley aria dont sell at trade prices and thats what i get so :(

Aaron
25-10-07, 00:12
WHO wants to buy me 2GB of ram to test this?
I'll buy the ram if you give me your system, and i'll let you know.

Biodoid
25-10-07, 00:17
Its not a patch, its to do with a startup switch.

Its all to do with PAE which from what I'm reading will be on if DEP is hardware enabled.
My system has DEP running in hardware mode and therefore should support >4GB of RAM. WHO wants to buy me 2GB of ram to test this?


I have PAE & DEP running along with 4gig but xp still only says there is 3 gig :lol:

though vista ultimate 64 said there was 4 gig 8)

alexnifty
25-10-07, 09:40
I have PAE & DEP running along with 4gig but xp still only says there is 3 gig :lol:

though vista ultimate 64 said there was 4 gig 8)

DEP in hardware mode? The windows website seemed to suggest that if hardware DEP were enabled then windows would automatically be able to address over 4GB.

However I think you are probably right that as I said before, 64-bit OS are the way to go for using 4GB RAM!

alexnifty
25-10-07, 09:48
Followed a link from the original page to this:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid&id=929605

It lists a whole bunch of criteria that your computer MUST meet before you can address the whole 4GB due to memory mapping.

Then at the end of the list it says:

An x64 (64-bit) version of Windows Vista must be used.

Biodoid
25-10-07, 09:50
yeah DEP in hardware mode (I think) I know that the X2 cpu uses it and it is selected in the advanced performance tab in system properties and in the sys properties window that lists your cpu/memory etc it also says physical address extension

coiler
25-10-07, 11:29
Followed a link from the original page to this:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid&id=929605

It lists a whole bunch of criteria that your computer MUST meet before you can address the whole 4GB due to memory mapping.

Then at the end of the list it says:

An x64 (64-bit) version of Windows Vista must be used.

HAHA what a misleading article at the start it clearly states XP

well spotted mate :redface:

tystar
25-10-07, 11:55
doh now i have to get rid of my extra 2gb ram coz i dont work and i dont wanna upgrade to 64bit windows..

argghhhh as i raise my **** in anger...

alexnifty
25-10-07, 12:17
The way I understand it is that windows 32 has 4gb of addresses that it can give out to your hardware.
To avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to 3.12 GB

THEN:
As soon as you put a graphics card in there windows gives that addresses up to its amount of ram (say 256MB) so thats 256MB lopped off.
Then if you start putting other PCI components in they start getting allocated addresses.

Basically with windows 64 you have a much bigger table of addresses (128GB) for windows to hand out to your hardware so you wont run out.


In short: You can't address more than [upto] 4GB RAM in 32-bit windows and 3.12GB is what to expect.
You can address [upto] 128GB RAM in 64-bit windows.


2GB RAM in Dual Channel Mode for the win :)

coiler
25-10-07, 13:23
The way I understand it is that windows 32 has 4gb of addresses that it can give out to your hardware.
To avoid potential driver compatibility issues, the 32-bit versions of Windows Vista limit the total available memory to 3.12 GB

THEN:
As soon as you put a graphics card in there windows gives that addresses up to its amount of ram (say 256MB) so thats 256MB lopped off.
Then if you start putting other PCI components in they start getting allocated addresses.

Basically with windows 64 you have a much bigger table of addresses (128GB) for windows to hand out to your hardware so you wont run out.


In short: You can't address more than [upto] 4GB RAM in 32-bit windows and 3.12GB is what to expect.
You can address [upto] 128GB RAM in 64-bit windows.


2GB RAM in Dual Channel Mode for the win :)

But is 64 vista much cop?

All i've read is bad reviews and incompatibility/driver issues. Now for anyone to be interested in getting all 4gb working they are most probably a gamer, vista is full of fancy aero gfx etc which slow your system down.

How do you reckon XP pro 32 3gb ram vs Vista 64 4gb ram would compare for gaming?

alexnifty
25-10-07, 13:59
But is 64 vista much cop?

All i've read is bad reviews and incompatibility/driver issues. Now for anyone to be interested in getting all 4gb working they are most probably a gamer, vista is full of fancy aero gfx etc which slow your system down.

How do you reckon XP pro 32 3gb ram vs Vista 64 4gb ram would compare for gaming?

64-bit xp will also address 128GB I think. The decision between vista and xp is up to you. For pure gaming I went for Vista as its got DX10, simple as that.


I think 2GB RAM is plenty for gaming at the moment. If you want to test this out then run task manager, open the performance tab and leave it open while you play games.
After playing games and doing stuff all day check the peak commit charge. If that number is much higher than your currently installed ram then you might want some more.


Before getting 64-bit you should check to find 64-bit drivers for all your hardware. If all your hardware has 64-bit drivers that are not in a beta stage then you should be fine.

I don't know what the compatabiliy is like between 32 and 64-bits, I know win64 has an emulator built in for running 32bit applications. This might work flawlessly and anything 32bit will run, or it might not work for everything.

Bear in mind that to get the full use out of 64bit you need to have programs specifically designed to run in 64bits, otherwise you might as well just go for 32. As far as I can tell you don't really get games which support 64-bits, all I can think of is Farcry.


So to sum up: 64bit is pretty pointless for gaming.

coiler
25-10-07, 14:57
64-bit xp will also address 128GB I think. The decision between vista and xp is up to you. For pure gaming I went for Vista as its got DX10, simple as that.


I think 2GB RAM is plenty for gaming at the moment. If you want to test this out then run task manager, open the performance tab and leave it open while you play games.
After playing games and doing stuff all day check the peak commit charge. If that number is much higher than your currently installed ram then you might want some more.


Before getting 64-bit you should check to find 64-bit drivers for all your hardware. If all your hardware has 64-bit drivers that are not in a beta stage then you should be fine.

I don't know what the compatabiliy is like between 32 and 64-bits, I know win64 has an emulator built in for running 32bit applications. This might work flawlessly and anything 32bit will run, or it might not work for everything.

Bear in mind that to get the full use out of 64bit you need to have programs specifically designed to run in 64bits, otherwise you might as well just go for 32. As far as I can tell you don't really get games which support 64-bits, all I can think of is Farcry.


So to sum up: 64bit is pretty pointless for gaming.


Great advice! :) have some rep!

I have a dual boot at the mo, XP for games, Bioshock etc plays supurb, Vista 32 for general use I do like vistas UI.

But yeah that above info reinforced my thoughts on sticking with vista 32 8)

alexnifty
25-10-07, 15:10
Great advice! :) have some rep!

I have a dual boot at the mo, XP for games, Bioshock etc plays supurb, Vista 32 for general use I do like vistas UI.

But yeah that above info reinforced my thoughts on sticking with vista 32 8)

Cheers man 8)

I use Vista for everything at the moment and not had too many problems with it.
Got no problem playing Bioshock, C&C:3, and Quake Wars on 16080x1050 with all settings up for example.

Only had one game which wouldnt run right away and that was Homeworld 2 because it did something DEP didnt like. I just disable DEP from the command line and reboot when I want to play it.

But yeah, shiney :)

Micky007
25-10-07, 16:39
so is there a way XP 32bit can use 4GB?

alexnifty
25-10-07, 16:45
so is there a way XP 32bit can use 4GB?

In a word: No.

Micky007
25-10-07, 16:50
In a word: No.

you mea in a word and a full stop :p

alexnifty
25-10-07, 16:55
you mea in a word and a full stop :p

Well it would hardly be good to leave it without a full stop, now would it?

coiler
25-10-07, 17:02
Mickys full moon rage is kicking in again LOL

*runs away*

Micky007
25-10-07, 17:04
Mickys full moon rage is kicking in again LOL

*runs away*

lol Rarrrrrr !

go away before i kill you all

Rarrrrrrrr!

Biodoid
25-10-07, 17:29
my cat is ready for the full moon :twisted:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/biodoid/killyoucat.jpg


Though back on topic lol..If xp is only seeing 3 gig out of my 4 gig..then wouldn't it be better to remove 2gig and put 2 512 sticks in so it is still dual channel andthe two 1 gig sticks that are left in would also be dual channel

alexnifty
25-10-07, 18:20
Though back on topic lol..If xp is only seeing 3 gig out of my 4 gig..then wouldn't it be better to remove 2gig and put 2 512 sticks in so it is still dual channel andthe two 1 gig sticks that are left in would also be dual channel

I was wondering the same thing. Theres no reason why that wont work is there?
Unless you do something silly and mismatch the sticks :)

coiler
26-10-07, 09:40
Although i'm sure i've seen bench marks of XP pro 32 3gb vs 4gb and even though the 4gb isn't recognised the benchies came out better!

Can't find the link again now :- (

monkey56657
30-10-07, 15:11
This is not a particularly new thing. But its still only 4GB. Most of the major hardware manufacutrers are providing 64bit versions (if 32bit dont work) now anyway so im fine with vista x64.

coiler
30-10-07, 16:00
This is not a particularly new thing. But its still only 4GB. Most of the major hardware manufacutrers are providing 64bit versions (if 32bit dont work) now anyway so im fine with vista x64.

But from what ive seen 64 doesnt really work with most software ! :redface:

monkey56657
30-10-07, 16:41
Well everything I use ive managed to find something that does the same job.
I dont use many old softwares..mostly new stuff and its working just as well on PC as on x86 Laptop.

One thing I did have trouble finding was a PDF creator...freeware and as a printer driver thing....but probably is one around by now.

Sl4x0r
31-10-07, 09:35
But from what ive seen 64 doesnt really work with most software ! :redface:

Lies - The only reason I gave up on Vista 64 was because of some pretty feeble TV Tuner drivers (and I use the my PC to serve media center to my Xbox360).

I never had any problem with software not running...

Unless you can give me some good examples of what software doesn't work to justify your statement that most of it doesn't work I'm gonna change my signature to imply something offensive about your mum :P

CMDR Furries
05-11-07, 12:03
Most games i've run in XP64 work flawlessly.