Windows 7 RAM usage - how good?

stockhausen

stockhausen

stockhausen

Capodecina
Soldato
Joined
30 Jul 2006
Posts
12,130
How effective is Windows 7 at using RAM?

I am aware that Windows 7 32-bit only actually allow you to use about 3.3GB and that if you want to use more, you HAVE to go to Windows 7 64-bit but I am keen to know exactly how much RAM one really needs for typical non-gaming use?

Is there any significant advantage in going from 2GB to 3.3GB, and in what circumstances, with what software?
 
I'd say 2GB is enough for windows 7. 4GB would only be required for more intensive applications i.e. gaming.
Click to expand...

I agree, I have W7 running on my work laptop and its fine with 2Gb. It used to run vista and it hated it, very slow so upgraded and it has given it a new lease of life.
 
CrazyMonk said:
I agree, I have W7 running on my work laptop and its fine with 2Gb. It used to run vista and it hated it, very slow so upgraded and it has given it a new lease of life.
Click to expand...
As a matter of interest, what laptop, what is the CPU speed and what software do you typically run on it?

@ dazz25 & CrazyMonk - thanks for the feedback; much what I expected :)
 
Just as a comparison my media centre is running Windows 7 with 1GB of ram and a stock E2140 (1.6GHz).

It's speedy enough for what it needs to do i.e. browsing and playing HD content.

It just goes to show that you don't need a beefy machine for Windows 7 to run well.
 
dazz25 said:
I'd say 2GB is enough for windows 7. 4GB would only be required for more intensive applications i.e. gaming.
Click to expand...

not quite true..

2Gb is fine for any x86 system. 4Gb for x64 because of the additional addressing.

Conversely, use a 2gb on an x64 system you may notice more swapping because of the aforementioned regardless of the windows release i.e. XP, Vista or Win 7.
 
bledd. said:
Just skip 32bit and go straight for 64 with 4gb
Click to expand...
Doesn't 64-bit pose problems with older hardware?

OK, I know that even Windows 7 32-bit will cause problems with older hardware but as I understand it, the 64-bit version is even worse.

Actually, there isn't a whole lot of point anyhow in going for Windows 7 64-bit on a motherboard or laptop that will only support a maximum of 4GB :shrug:
 
Admiral Huddy said:
not quite true..

2Gb is fine for any x86 system. 4Gb for x64 because of the additional addressing.

Conversely, use a 2gb on an x64 system you may notice more swapping because of the aforementioned regardless of the windows release i.e. XP, Vista or Win 7.
Click to expand...

This (i think).
The rig in my sig suffered with faulty ram. So i took 2 sticks of 1gb out, leaving me with 2gb and it was noticebly much slower.
Put 1gb stick back in and its better, but still requires the 4gb to give me back the beefiness.
Hurry up with my rma corsair. :(
 
stockhausen said:
Doesn't 64-bit pose problems with older hardware?
Click to expand...

A lot less than you'd think. I've been testing x64 Windows 7 with a variety of not only old, but obscure hardware and I've been pleasantly surprised with how it's gone. 64-bit is a no brainer these days unless you specifically know you're going to have a problem with a piece of hardware you own. It's also a good idea to try Vista x64 drivers if you can't find W7 drivers.

As for the thread in general I'm running x64 Windows 7 on 2GB RAM with no problems whatsoever. I even have two more 1GB sticks in the cupboard that I can't be bothered putting in (which goes to show how much I'm not bothered by the memory usage.)
 
As a matter of interest, what laptop, what is the CPU speed and what software do you typically run on it?
Click to expand...

I work for a support company so very light usage, main programs that always on are:

VMware Infrastructure Client
VNC
Remote desktop
Outlook
FireFox
MSN
Skype

Thats pretty much it.

I also agree with what theheyes has to say, I unfortunately I only x86 W7 on this laptop, but I am going to invest in x64 for my Home machine.

Hope this is helpful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom