Why install so much RAM on X86?

[Pieter Theron]

I've been trying to understand why some people buy/install so much RAM in their X86 (XP & 7) pc's? Given that those two X86 operating systems only supports 4Gb. It is obviously more when you have the X64 versions which many just don't have. So what did I miss?

 

[Alexander Rhodes]

It only displays 4Gb, yes Windows might only be able to use 4Gb, but there are many other applications within windows than can use more, such as adobe photoshop CS5

 

[Chris Butcher]

Yes, but doesn't the operating system allocate that memory. It won't address any more than 4GB, so isn't the rest unusable anyway?

 

[Senad Subasic]

It only displays 4Gb, yes Windows might only be able to use 4Gb, but there are many other applications within windows than can use more, such as adobe photoshop CS5

No, a 32bit system as a whole can physically access no more than 4GB of memory.

 

[Pieter Theron]

I am also under the impression that the memory can only be allocated if the OS allows for it. In that case if you have X64 OS then something like PS will add/manage the additional RAM.

Yes, but doesn't the operating system allocate that memory. It won't address any more than 4GB, so isn't the rest unusable anyway?

 

[Alexander Rhodes]

Windows does yes. But thats only for software. Hardware needs memory too, and at the end of the day, what the CPU says, goes.

 

[Jim Cole]

I have been working with PC's for quite some time and I can tell you from a professional standpoint that the x86 systems are not capable of addressing more than 4gig total memory, and that includes the video ram. If your system has a 1gig graphics card, then the available system ram is cut to 3gig. The more graphics memory you have, the less system ram you can use.

If you are planning on installing over 4gig total ram, then the only option is an x64 system otherwise you are wasting money.

 

[Chris Butcher]

Windows does yes. But thats only for software. Hardware needs memory too, and at the end of the day, what the CPU says, goes.

The processor doesn't allocate memory. It simply processes instructions.

 

[Brian Duddy]

Because many people don't know what they're doing, and some PC manufacturers realize this and throw in more RAM so the specs sound better!

 

[Henry Muller]

well, you can use as a ramdrive.

 

[TotalGaMer]

X86 you can only use 3.5GB or should I say the OS will only recognise 3.5GB but in an X64 You can use what ever the OS allows example

• Vista Basic 64-bit: 8 GB
• Vista Home Premium 64-bit: 16 GB
• Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate 64-bit: 128+ GB

I use 8GB because I need that much or more for my video editing some people will need it for encryption decryption etc etc photo editing etc etc I use PhotoShop large images require large Ram etc etc...

Regards
Gaming since 1982