2Gb vs. 4Gb ram issue

Hi Everybody,
I'm new to the 64 bit world but are a longtime power user and gaming machine builder. I've read all the limitations and the use of the /PAE and /NOEXECUTE switches and all that stuff. I've just never had so much memory on a system before. Can't wait to finish it. I would've went Phenom but I bought the motherboard before it was available. Plus I want to run SLI not Crossover on AMD silicon.

My new system has 4 Gb of Corsair DDR2 800 installed on a Gigabyte GA-M59SLI -S5 motherboard and an X2 6400+. I am going to run XP 32 bitfor gaming and Vista Ultimate for everything else. I have 2 questions:

1. Diminished returns or not. Will 4Gb of ram benchmark better than 2Gb on a 32 bit system?

2. What are the benefits of vista x64 over the 32 bit version?

Hi Vantim!

1. no difference. And you could install faster or slower memory and there would still be no difference. Large cpu cache memories have made dram irrelevent to performance, unlike a few years back which you might be basing your assumptions on.

But if you ran a game in vista 64 running in xp compatible mode, you might see more memory that way especially running several games at once

2. mainly security - signed drivers and noexecute which you mention - locks out almost all viruses. >2GB ram is essential for HD video editing. There are virtually no 64bit programs however, 64bits mostly exists at the driver level. 64bit architecture has extra and bigger registers and is faster.

the difference is small now, so get ready for some disappointment, but wait 5 years and 32 bits will look like a commodore 64!

cheers,

Hi Geezer, thanks for the reply. It's hard to find any real answers about this topic. When you search for it, all you get is complaints that windows "Can't see all my Ram"

I kinda figured there was a lack of programs since whole 64bit computing thing just kinda fizzled. AMD's struggles haven't helped things much either. This reminds me of the transitions from 16 to 32 bit.

How is the support for 32 bit apps in Vista x64? I completely understand that 16 bit apps will not work at all, and 32 bit drivers will not work but... Is there any big Uh-Oh's that I should be aware of?

I've not had any problems with 32bit applications I use so far. I've not been long using Vista x64 but I am loving it. I've never had a computer do things so fast or such a pleasure to use. I do beg to differ on the memory issue as doesn't Vista speed up things by pre-caching programs into memory ?

Anyways, the price of RAM these days I'd use as much as I could (lol and I did as I have 8GB) and the fact that a x64 operating system can see/use/access large amounts of memory you might as well make the most of the OS and it's abilities.

As to buying fast memory, is there any point to it running faster than the CPU ? I always set mine to a 1:1 ratio as I thought this was best.

My system idles at 2GB of ram in use, at max load so far it's using 4GB. I've never seen it go over the 50% mark as yet so 8GB may be overkill but thats always better than not having enough

I completely agree with that statement. It sucks to not have enough.

Hi all,
I have a problem in seeing 8GB. My MOBO ASUS M2N32 SLI Deluxe see this amount on the Bios, however the welcome center does not.Can you help me in this please? What do I have to do in order to fix this problem?
Many thanks

hallo vic!

baffling. My only idea is that ultimate comes with 32 and 64 versions perhaps you installed 32?
you should also run a memory test. I believe there is one on the vista disk.

might update BIOS even though it seems ok.

good luck!

Thank you very much...I really appreciate ...ciao Vic

Hmm, I have no idea other than what Geezer10 suggested to be honest as I didn't do anything special for Vista x64 to see all my memory.

Hi Darlok...Look I have my idea...AMD doesn't work as Intel...I tried to install 8 GB all in one and it could just see 3. Then I tried to install 2 and reboot, then other 2 on slot B1 after reboot and it did not see it. Then I tried 2 GB IN Slot A1 and A2, and it couls see 3.5...(WOW)...Then I tried to put the one in slot B1..I roll off to 3GB. Then I tried A1, A2, B2...Don't ask how but I could see 6.. Other reboot insterting the slot in B1 was successful...
Thank you every body but this was just tricky for no setting reasons. I really think the way AMD architecture talk to the RAM by the OS, is not such simple as INTEL, and that is because Microsoft Engineers design it on Intel Machines. AMD then invent their CPUs to make them "Compatible", with Intel world...
Anyway thank you everybody...have a nice Sunday...
Ciao
Vic