Hi all, I'm looking at building my new computer soon but I have heard about RAM limits with 32bit windows 7.

I am buying 8GB of RAM but heard that windows 7 has a restriction of 4GB. Will I still be able to use 8GB of ram or should I just buy 4GB?

Cheers,

Tom

You will only be able to use 4GB of RAM on a 32 bit system. You really should get a 64bit system instead.

You should really go with 64 bit Windows, to be honest.

If you don't use 64-bit, you will not be able to use all 8GB. Sometimes it is cut down to ~3.7GB and sometimes a little over 4GB, I've never been told why this happens though.

I can't tell if the processor i am getting is 64-bit. Do you mind taking a look for me ?

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/amd-phenom-ii-x6-1045t-sok-am3-27ghz-6mb-cache-95w-retail

It's 64-bit. Almost all are nowadays.

It's 64-bit. Almost all are nowadays.

Oh, that's pretty cool my dads got a windows copy of 64-bit he said I could nick if I need it :D

I can't tell if the processor i am getting is 64-bit. Do you mind taking a look for me ?

http://www.scan.co.u...ache-95w-retail

Yeah that's a 64-bit. No surprise as the netbook I got 2 years ago with an atom processor is also 64-bit.

Yeah that's a 64-bit.

God, you don't realise how happy this makes me!

God, you don't realise how happy this makes me!

Sweet...!!!

Advanced Happy New Year to you Tom... !!!!

And of course everyone else at LCPDFR... :biggrin:

Sweet...!!!

Advanced Happy New Year to you Tom... !!!!

And of course everyone else at LCPDFR... :biggrin:

OOOh YEAH!

It's not just the difference between 32 bit and 64 bit. The lowest versions have the most restrictions that need to be taken into conciderstion for future ram expansion. But in your case I think 8Gig is max of hardware anyway.

Usefull info... http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?7002-Win7-Know-the-DDR3-memory-limits!

The lowest versions have the most restrictions that need to be taken into conciderstion for future ram expansion

Sorry, but what do you mean by the part i quoted above?

but yes the mobo has a max of 8GB.

Cheers,

Tom

The lowest versions of windows 7. In the link I posted there is another link for the origional Microsoft source but the link I posted is easiest to follow.

Windows 7 basic 64 has a limit of 8GB. Premium 64 has a 16GB limit. the rest top out at 192 GB.

So for example, I have windows 7 premium 64 bit which means I can expand up to 16 GB if I wanted. (I only have 6GB at moment)

Don't worry about it because even if you go with just windows 7 home basic 64 bit that gives you a 8GB headroom which is all you need anyway.

Maybe I confused things. Sorry. I posted the link to show that 32 bit and 64 bit are not the only factors to concider but in your case it's not really relevant. so sorry if it confused the issue.

The lowest versions of windows 7. In the link I posted there is another link for the origional Microsoft source but the link I posted is easiest to follow.

Windows 7 basic 64 has a limit of 8GB. Premium 64 has a 16GB limit. the rest top out at 192 GB.

So for example, I have windows 7 premium 64 bit which means I can expand up to 16 GB if I wanted. (I only have 6GB at moment)

Don't worry about it because even if you go with just windows 7 home basic 64 bit that gives you a 8GB headroom which is all you need anyway.

Maybe I confused things. Sorry. I posted the link to show that 32 bit and 64 bit are not the only factors to concider but in your case it's not really relevant. so sorry if it confused the issue.

Don't worry, that has actually made things alot clearer. I've got windows 7 ultimate anyway so should be all good.

Cheers,

Tom

32-bit operating systems based on the Windows platform can support a theoretical maximum of around 3.2GB of RAM, conveniently fitting the 32-bit title (Get it? 3.2 - 32 bit.). Sometimes it may be a little over or a little less than 3.2 GB, but that is the mathematical limit within today's 32-bit Windows operating systems. The reason for the switch to 64-bit is to fit twice as much address space in memory, making things more efficient, and it will also allow for the theoretical support of up to 16 Exabytes of RAM.

Edited December 30, 201114 yr by unr3al