4GBs of rams and gaming 32/64-bit issue?

Question

I'm supposed to be getting either 2 or 4 gigs of ddr2-1066 rams , the point is , when regarding the 4gb , it doesn't read completely on 32-bit xp and vista systems , mosly reads 3.12-3.3. I can get a hold of both 64-bit OSs but what's on my mind is that if they have to use the WOW32 to emulate pretty much all the games available doesn't that mean 32-bit rules are applied and not only will that make 3.12 gigs of ram available but will confuse the daul channel of the second set of rams 2x1 and maybe messup the whole clock ?

if there's anyway around it in either 32 or 64-bit , thats great ,

if my whole theory about games using 32bit os rules to emulate please tell me . thanks

Yup WOW64 sorry

Answer 1

It's WOW64, WOW32 is for emulating 16-bit applications in a 32-bit operating environment. To answer your question. You can't, in a Windows environment, in any meaningful way get around the limit on 32-bit addressing spaces. It's a limit that all 32-bit operating systems have...not just Windows. The Linux world has the best workaround for that issue, however, there is really no substitute to a 64-bit environment.
I get what you're asking though. If you're running a 32-bit application in a sixty-four-bit environment, will it take advantage of the full amount of RAM available when running 4 plus gigs of RAM in a 64-bit environment. The answer is...no. (at least I'm pretty sure of it...although I'm not a hundred percent positve)

Great question though:

It's a good question, not typical of the drivel you normally see on Yanswers. Do some research on it.

Answer 2

First off, let me say that I have personal experience using a 64 bit operating system, I don't know if any of the other previous answerers have that experience or not. First off I suggest you read up a little more on WOW64 here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW64 to sum it up briefly, WOW64 is not actual doing any emulation, just basically switching from 64 bit mode to 32 bit mode and vice versa when necessary. A 32 bit application will still be limited to how much RAM it can use, but the remaining RAM will still be there to be used by background applications, so the benefits of having 4GB of RAM are still present, one program will never ever be using 100% of the RAM you have.

So its pretty simple, if you want 4GB of RAM, just get a 64 bit operating system. All the compatibility issues and driver issues people have been talking about are really overrated. A 64 bit OS can run 32 bit programs so no worries there. As for drivers, I have seen very very few things that have drivers available for 32 bit Vista and not 64 bit, usually if it has one it will have both, so no worries there.

Answer 3

XP Pro will recognize 4 gig of RAM - Home is limited to 3gig.
You want to stay away from 64 bit especially if you go with Vista - there are still many hardware problems with 64 bit.

Answer 4

first of all, if he buys a 32 bit OS with 4GB the computer will purely comprehend 3 - 3.5GB. it somewhat is purely a waste. If he needs that form of memory or greater for autocad, gaming, or intense intensity 3-D pictures, then he ought to truly circulate with a 64x and better memory. i'd additionally propose a Centrino with a 6000+ processor. if it is going for use for accepted living house use, banking, surfing, e mail, song, a 32bit with 3 GB would suffice.

Answer 5

Yeap. Better go for 2GB. Right now 64-bit OS has too many compatibility issues right now. I say it will take more than a few years for public to leap from 32-bit era to 64-bit era.

Answer 6

32 Bit operating systems XP and Vista will only recognize just a little over 3gb of RAM.

64Bit Vista will recognize a lot more, but not many programs will run on 64Bit.

Drivers have not been made yet.

This 3gb limit is explained better on this site:

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html