Ok so to get your computer to recognize more than 3GB of RAM you have to have a 64-bit rather than 32-bit OS right?

But does that only affect RAM use in Windows or games that are built to run in 64-bit? I have Vista 64-bit and every time I install a new game it automatically goes to the Program Files/x86 folder, which I have been told is for 32-bit programs. Does that mean most games run in 32-bit mode, and thus only recognize 3GB of RAM? Or do they recognize as much RAM as you have?

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but I've always been confused about this.

32 bit software still gets to use the extra ram, there is an emulator called WOW64 (or was it 32...) that is used to run all 32bit apps. Not 100% sure how it works but it does allow the app to use all the ram available.

It's WOW64. - Windows32 bit on Windows 64 bit.
It works much like a viewport on a big graphics map that shows a portion of the map and you can pan around.

32 bit applications will never see more than 4GB at a time. The 3.25 GB instead of 4GB is caused by memory mapped IO space that is located at 3.25-4GB memory range. Running x64 OS with 4GB RAM will ths also result in 3.25 GB memory space.

The thing to keep in mind is that memory is not the only advantage of a x64 OS. You will also have use of the extra x64 instructions that can speed up things sometimes.

quote:

Originally posted by MAXMHZ1959:
Running x64 OS with 4GB RAM will ths also result in 3.25 GB memory space.

This is not always true; this problem is due to mobo/bios limitations found mostly on older mobos. In some cases bios settings can resolve this problem. It has nothing directly to do with using a 64 bit OS.

quote:

Originally posted by TheFamilyMan:

quote:

Originally posted by MAXMHZ1959:
Running x64 OS with 4GB RAM will ths also result in 3.25 GB memory space.

This is not always true; this problem is due to mobo/bios limitations found mostly on older mobos. In some cases bios settings can resolve this problem. It has nothing directly to do with using a 64 bit OS.

Max means that in direct relation to 32 bit applications will never see more than 4GB at a time, you should not have left that part out of the quote...

quote:

Originally posted by FoolTrottel:

quote:

Originally posted by TheFamilyMan:

quote:

Originally posted by MAXMHZ1959:
Running x64 OS with 4GB RAM will ths also result in 3.25 GB memory space.

This is not always true; this problem is due to mobo/bios limitations found mostly on older mobos. In some cases bios settings can resolve this problem. It has nothing directly to do with using a 64 bit OS.

Max means that in direct relation to 32 bit applications will never see more than 4GB at a time, you should not have left that part out of the quote...

"Available physical memory" and "program address space" are two nearly completely separate entities. Here's an excellent discussion on what is really going on inside a computer in regards to physical RAM and address space. My response was directed at the complaint, which I've seen elsewhere, that you can install 64 bit windows OS and still only have 3.25GB of your 4GB RAM visiable to windows; this problem is soley with the bios/mobo and has very little to do with the OS or any specific program running in it.

so I have 6GB of RAM, when I play a brand new game how much RAM does it use?

quote:

Originally posted by Ba5tard5word:




so I have 6GB of RAM, when I play a brand new game how much RAM does it use?

I'm making a cake to serve one slice to everyone where I'm going to be at someday. How many slices will I need?

K2

quote:

Originally posted by LEBillfish:

quote:

Originally posted by Ba5tard5word:




so I have 6GB of RAM, when I play a brand new game how much RAM does it use?

I'm making a cake to serve one slice to everyone where I'm going to be at someday. How many slices will I need?

K2

A cake? What flavour?

quote:

Originally posted by Ba5tard5word:




so I have 6GB of RAM, when I play a brand new game how much RAM does it use?

If it's a 32 bit game the max it could possibly use is 4GB, though in my experience with developing software it's probably using a lot less (2GB or less). The big benefit with those "huge tracks of memory" that a 64 bit OS can handle is that multiple currently running programs don't have to fight each other or the OS (as much) for available ram, so overall all they run much faster. Memory page faults/swaps really kills execution speed; just trying running multiple apps on XP with only 256MB of ram and you'll see what I mean. So the bottom line: having LOTS of RAM, say 8+GB, will only be of value if you are running multiple programs concurrently. If they are 64 bit apps they might eat up more RAM, but usually for specialized things such as image processing (photo shop, premiere, etc.)

quote:

Originally posted by LEBillfish:

quote:

Originally posted by Ba5tard5word:




so I have 6GB of RAM, when I play a brand new game how much RAM does it use?

I'm making a cake to serve one slice to everyone where I'm going to be at someday. How many slices will I need?

K2

More than that cake could possibly ever provide!

Nice 'slice' of wisdom there...