Can you use 4 gigs of RAM in Windows Vista 32-bit?

[josueg942]

I'm wanting to install 4 gigs of RAM to my MBP to get better gaming FPS...
and to play games I will be using Windows Vista 32-bit.

I know 32-bit operating systems only recognize up to 3 gigs of ram so I'm not sure if I'll be fine and Windows Vista 32-bit will still work.....

Will it still work under 4 gigs or will I have to get a 64-bit version of Vista?

Thanks.

 

[Jpoon]

You don't even really need more than three. I barely use 2 gigs if all I'm doing in running a game.

No, 32 bit will not recognize much less use 4GB of RAM. You won't really see a performance increase with the full four anyways.\

It will still boot and everything though.

 

[ReanimationLP]

It'll see 4GB with SP1/SP2, but you cant make use past 3.328GB.

If you have 4GB, just get the 64-bit version of Vista.

Borrow a friends disc or something, as the key works to install both.

Same goes for Windows 7 Ultimate.

XP will only see 3.328GB.

 

[josueg942]

It'll see 4GB with SP1/SP2, but you cant make use past 3.328GB.

If you have 4GB, just get the 64-bit version of Vista.

Borrow a friends disc or something, as the key works to install both.

Same goes for Windows 7 Ultimate.

XP will only see 3.328GB.

Yeah, I don't have friends with 64-bit disc.

But even though it'll see up to that amount... will it still work???

I don't mind it seeing up only to 3.3 GB

Because I can still use the other remaining 700mb on OS X

 

[Stridder44]

Because I can still use the other remaining 700mb on OS X

Wait, are you using Boot Camp?

 

[jbrenn]

yes

it will work just fine. The problem will only use about 2.75 ram. windows will see 3 something then it subtracts the video ram. Sp1 will show 4gb but it will not use it all.

 

[FX120]

It depends on your system configuration.

32-bit operating systems don't have a limit on RAM per-se, they have a limit on available address, which are used for every piece of hardware in the system, including system RAM. On some simpler configurations with basic hardware consuming fewer of the available addresses, more will be available for system RAM, sometimes all the way up to 3.5GB, rarely more.

So install the 4GB, the OS just won't be able to use all of it unless you go to a 64-bit version of Vista.