Windows 7 32bit showing 4GB ram?

slickback · 27 Mar 2009 at 21:31

I thought that a 32bit OS can only support up to 3Gb ram but Windows 7 is reporting 4Gb installed.

Does this mean I don't have to install a 64bit OS to make full use of the 4Gb ram installed.

Nick1881 · 27 Mar 2009 at 22:18

It will show 4Gb but it still won't be able to make use of it, Vista 32bit SP1 will also show 4Gb.

Any reason you don't want to go 64bit?

slickback · 27 Mar 2009 at 22:37

I am using a valid version on windows 7 32bit, would I be able to use the product key I was given with the 64bit version.

Mr Kingston · 27 Mar 2009 at 23:46

slickback said:
I am using a valid version on windows 7 32bit, would I be able to use the product key I was given with the 64bit version.

probably not as they will be different, just sign upto microsoft for a valid 64 bit version and get a new cd key

slickback · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:28

Isn't Windows 7 beta sign up now closed?

slickback · 28 Mar 2009 at 11:31

My mistake, it looks like Microsoft still allow you sign up for a product key but not download the OS, that you must download via other means

CompScienceKid · 28 Mar 2009 at 19:13

easiest way to find out how much ram your machine is registering is to open the command prompt and type 'systeminfo', it should be there. : )

Energize · 28 Mar 2009 at 20:48

2^32 = 4,294,967,296 bytes, a 32-bit os supports 4GiB of address space.

slickback · 28 Mar 2009 at 23:02

CompScienceKid said:
easiest way to find out how much ram your machine is registering is to open the command prompt and type 'systeminfo', it should be there. : )

Shows

Total Physical Memory: 3,069 MB

I think the only reason Windows 7 32bit shows 4Gb is to keep the average user happy as they get worried when they have 4Gb installed and windows only shows 3Gb.

mdjmcnally · 29 Mar 2009 at 12:10

They did this with Vista SP1 as well. Saves the "I have 4Gb and the machine only shows 3.5" complaints.

slickback · 29 Mar 2009 at 12:25

Installed Windows 7 64Bit and when I run systeminfo in command prompt it now shows the full 4Gb

BlackAle · 30 Mar 2009 at 13:09

slickback said:
I am using a valid version on windows 7 32bit, would I be able to use the product key I was given with the 64bit version.

Yes you can use the same product key on the 64bit beta version.