max win mem assignable

Cru54d3r · 17 Jul 2009 at 10:49

Right I know there have probably been loads of these threads but what is the max assignable in windows? I have 4gb installed and I know windows xp cant see it all but my comp reports 2.75gb (through my computer) though I have seen people speak of getting up to 3.2gb?

Am I missing some easy trick or bios setting here?

Thanks

Ch3m1c4L · 17 Jul 2009 at 11:29

make sure PAE is turned on in the bios, if you have the option. If its already on, then thats all you can see. Everything in your system that has memory it (GPU etc) all eat into the 4gb limit, best you can get in 32bit is about 3.5gb i think.

Fire Wizard · 18 Jul 2009 at 02:26

A 32-bit system has access to 4GB of address space. However, the reason why Windows will always use less than 4GB even when you have 4GB of RAM installed is because other devices such as your motherboard, graphics card, network card etc need to reserve a certain amount of address space. Depending on the sort of devices you have connected to your system, the amount of usable RAM will vary. One system may address 3.5GB, whilst another only 2.75GB of RAM.

Destination · 18 Jul 2009 at 08:46

More GFX memory you have, less system memory you'll have.
Adding in a soundcard will lose you even more, etc etc.