4gb to 8gb?

Jason1973 · 9 Sep 2009 at 17:43

Hi all, I currently have 4gb (2x2gb) in my vista 32 machine and I want 8gb (4x2gb) to go 64bit with the release of Windows 7.

Would I see any benifit from putting the extra RAM in now and having all 4 memory slots filled?

I know the system cant address more than 3.5gb but would it still access only 2 of the RAM dimms or all 4?

Thanks for your time

dustofnations · 9 Sep 2009 at 17:44

I would strongly suspect it would only access 2 of the DIMMS, could be wrong but it would make most sense if you're physically addressing the sticks I can't see how you could use half of a DIMM or suchlike.

Jason1973 · 9 Sep 2009 at 18:12

dustofnations said:
I would strongly suspect it would only access 2 of the DIMMS, could be wrong but it would make most sense if you're physically addressing the sticks I can't see how you could use half of a DIMM or suchlike.

I honestly have no idea.

As I understood it, the OS maps to the adresses so in theory it could map 1gb to each of the 4 slots and access them that way. Still not 100% sure if thats right or if I would see any benifit from doing it that way.

dustofnations · 9 Sep 2009 at 20:33

Jason1973 said:
I honestly have no idea.

As I understood it, the OS maps to the adresses so in theory it could map 1gb to each of the 4 slots and access them that way. Still not 100% sure if thats right or if I would see any benifit from doing it that way.

Yes, but on a hardware level I don't think it is feasible (the addresses are hardware level). Virtual memory is different, but on a low level the processor uses the memory addresses (e.g. add this memory address x to some memory address y, and store result at z)

Jason1973 · 10 Sep 2009 at 14:42

dustofnations said:
Yes, but on a hardware level I don't think it is feasible (the addresses are hardware level). Virtual memory is different, but on a low level the processor uses the memory addresses (e.g. add this memory address x to some memory address y, and store result at z)

So wait until Win 7 is out and then add the other Ram, or put the Ram in so I know where to find it.

Thanks for your time Dustofnations

Macky · 10 Sep 2009 at 15:50

^ Advertising much... But yeah, 64bit or it is pointless.

dustofnations · 10 Sep 2009 at 18:13

JessicaD said:
Jason1973,

The only way you would benefit from a RAM upgrade is if you are upgrading to a 64-bit OS. If you are planning on purchasing Windows 7 when it is released it may be helpful to know you don't have to wait until October to reserve your copy of Win 7! You can pre-order your copy of Windows 7 (64-bit) Home Premium or Windows 7 (64-bit) Professional today. For more information, see the Windows 7 Pre-Order offer page here: http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/buy/offers/pre-order-ended.aspx

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

He wasn't asking if you could use all of the additional RAM if you actually read the post. It was if the fact there were 4 sticks of RAM they could each be used at 50% capacity for the advantages of dual channel access. I believe it is not possible, and articulated thus...

This is independent of any operating system...

Jason1973 · 12 Sep 2009 at 10:29

JessicaD said:
Jason1973,

The only way you would benefit from a RAM upgrade is if you are upgrading to a 64-bit OS. If you are planning on purchasing Windows 7 when it is released it may be helpful to know you don't have to wait until October to reserve your copy of Win 7! You can pre-order your copy of Windows 7 (64-bit) Home Premium or Windows 7 (64-bit) Professional today. For more information, see the Windows 7 Pre-Order offer page here: http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/buy/offers/pre-order-ended.aspx

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

LOL pre ordered already thanks awaiting release

Macky said:
^ Advertising much... But yeah, 64bit or it is pointless.

Lmao, you cant blame them for trying, its their site after all

dustofnations said:
He wasn't asking if you could use all of the additional RAM if you actually read the post. It was if the fact there were 4 sticks of RAM they could each be used at 50% capacity for the advantages of dual channel access. I believe it is not possible, and articulated thus...

This is independent of any operating system...

OK just for kicks I have put in 8gb of tracer ram and although I see no difference all the lights look cool through the window :cool:

XiS111 · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:02

i've got 4gb pc8500 running at the moment on win 7 64bit, its a stupid question i know but.. would upping to 8gb be better for gaming etc?

blaineoliver · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:26

Only if you solely play crysis....

JonJ678 · 13 Sep 2009 at 19:28

ffs jessica, at least notice that this is a uk forum, even if you don't get that the shop attached to it sells the same things you're advertising.

The move to 8gb is only useful if using a 64 bit os. Whether it accesses all slots or two is interesting and I'd like to know, but ultimately it's irrelevent as the additional two slots puts more strain on the system and limits overclocking. I've no idea whether accessing 1/2 of four sticks is quicker than accessing all of 2 sticks, but there can't be much in it. 64 bit is the way forward; vista, 7 or unix.

That said, the normal response to these is 'no, don't get 8gb, you're not even using 4 at the moment'. What do you do with the computer? About the only thing that wants more than 4gb at present is virtual machines. (Don't know how to sort out the grammar on that one, things and are or thing and is?)

XiS111 · 14 Sep 2009 at 05:45

JonJ678 said:
That said, the normal response to these is 'no, don't get 8gb, you're not even using 4 at the moment'. What do you do with the computer? About the only thing that wants more than 4gb at present is virtual machines. (Don't know how to sort out the grammar on that one, things and are or thing and is?)

Im using 2gb just running desktop apps, msn, firefox, pdf reader. which leaves me only 2gb left for gaming (i dont shut down anything, just go straight into game) havent taken into mind what it'd do to my overclocked system yet.. i might have to lower the clock speed if you say it strains the system and limits overclock. But i've seen a huge rise in pc8500 ram so i was thinking of getting some just to be futureproof.

Richdog · 14 Sep 2009 at 05:50

RAM is now largely so cheap that there's no problem having 8GB imo, especially if you're planning on keeping it a year or two. I think I will go 64-bit with Win 7 and upgrade my RAM, I regularly get a bit thin on juice with all my many stuff open and working with large photos etc.

Avalon · 14 Sep 2009 at 16:05

Nothing at all wrong with having 4GB on a 32bit OS, it's perfectly usable allowing for the fact you don't see the full 4GB, switch to a 64bit OS such as win7 and it's all good

That said 4GB it is significantly more than most people need with today's hardware and software. Remember the way in which modern OS's deal with memory is not the same as XP etc. did therefore the likelihood is you're not using 2GB to load the OS and msn, firefox etc. You may well find your money better spent on an SSD as that will genuinely improve your whole computing experience by a significant and noticeable amount, something an extra 4GB is unlikley to do unless you fall into a very small minority of users who would most likley already know they needed 8GB+.

That said if you want to spend the money feel free, DDR2 is dead and as such will more than likely go up in value as DDR and SDR, EDO, FP etc did/has

ADT · 15 Sep 2009 at 13:44

i would advice you to wait till you get the win7 copy then upgrade your ram