Is my ram not being used?

Rjupiter · 04-March-08, 06:12 PM

I just got some more ddr3 ram which brings me to 4gb but while my bios can see all 4g my xp home sp2 only sees 3gb of it. I have read this is a common problem and I have not found any solution to it but what I want to know is does that mean my one stick is not being used at all since it is not showing in XP?

.insane · 04-March-08, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rjupiter


	I just got some more ddr3 ram which brings me to 4gb but while my bios can see all 4g my xp home sp2 only sees 3gb of it. I have read this is a common problem and I have not found any solution to it but what I want to know is does that mean my one stick is not being used at all since it is not showing in XP?

it think its something with 32 bit windows that can only run on 3gb of ram the rest is useless or somehting

reflux · 04-March-08, 06:45 PM

A 32-bit OS has to map address space for your system peripherals (eg graphics card) to the RAM. So 4GB is a waste of time unless you are running 64-bit.

Inquiringmind012000 · 04-March-08, 11:22 PM

Theoretically, your supposed to be able to run all 4 gigs on a 32 bit OS. The numbers show there should be no problem, but this is reality, not Theorality, so you can only utilize what windows will let you. I've seen people(well, not personally, i saw them complain on some boards) that only got like 2.5 Gigs, so consider yourself lucky. Me personally, i have 2x 2gig sticks and it only registers 3. And from what ive seen there is no cure but a 64bit upgrade.

04-March-08, 06:12 PM		#1 (permalink)
Rjupiter Apex Advanced Techie	Is my ram not being used? I just got some more ddr3 ram which brings me to 4gb but while my bios can see all 4g my xp home sp2 only sees 3gb of it. I have read this is a common problem and I have not found any solution to it but what I want to know is does that mean my one stick is not being used at all since it is not showing in XP?

04-March-08, 06:45 PM		#3 (permalink)
reflux Sempr0n?	Re: Is my ram not being used? A 32-bit OS has to map address space for your system peripherals (eg graphics card) to the RAM. So 4GB is a waste of time unless you are running 64-bit.

04-March-08, 11:22 PM		#4 (permalink)
Inquiringmind012000 Apex Techie II	Re: Is my ram not being used? Theoretically, your supposed to be able to run all 4 gigs on a 32 bit OS. The numbers show there should be no problem, but this is reality, not Theorality, so you can only utilize what windows will let you. I've seen people(well, not personally, i saw them complain on some boards) that only got like 2.5 Gigs, so consider yourself lucky. Me personally, i have 2x 2gig sticks and it only registers 3. And from what ive seen there is no cure but a 64bit upgrade.

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