Vista 32bit + 4gb + 1gb gfx...

[Ste]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting an ATi 4870 1gb but am not sure what will happen with the ram limitations of the 32bit OS's?

I currently have a 320mb 8800 and windows shows 3327mb of RAM. Would this fall if I got a 1gb graphics card and if so by how much? Some of my hardware isn't 64bit compatible so I don't really want to switch

If it would fall substantially would a 512mb card be ok? I'd like to be able to play at 1900x1200 so I'm guessing 512mb might not be enough to futureproof for a while? Given the tiny price different on this week only it seems a bit stupid to go for the 512mb one though!

Thanks for any help

 

[Chris_83]

Basically your system (32bit) can address 4GB. AFAIK graphics ram gets allocated first so a 1Gb card would leave you with just under 3GB ram for your system.

 

[Ste]

but since I only have 320mb gfx ram atm and it's already down to 3.3gb, will i go down another 700mb on that after upgrading? ~2.5gb?

 

[555BUK]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting an ATi 4870 1gb but am not sure what will happen with the ram limitations of the 32bit OS's?

I currently have a 320mb 8800 and windows shows 3327mb of RAM. Would this fall if I got a 1gb graphics card and if so by how much? Some of my hardware isn't 64bit compatible so I don't really want to switch

If it would fall substantially would a 512mb card be ok? I'd like to be able to play at 1900x1200 so I'm guessing 512mb might not be enough to futureproof for a while? Given the tiny price different on this week only it seems a bit stupid to go for the 512mb one though!

Thanks for any help

Just get the 4870 with 512mb ram. The 1GB version will not give any performance gains anyway.

 

[Final8y]

Just get the 4870 with 512mb ram. The 1GB version will not give any performance gains anyway.

He said he wants future proofing so 512MB at his res is right on the limit already.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17922341

http://www.he*us.net/content/item.php?item=15463&page=1
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