Anther 4GB into 3GB (32bit) question but a little different

G

goldtna

Member

​

Joined

Nov 27, 2008

• Jun 2, 2009

• #1

So I know about the limitations of 32-bit being able to only address 4GB but due to extra things that need addressing, the only available memory to windows is about 3.2 Gigs.

When I put in 2 more gigs of RAM to supplement my existing 2GB, i was expecting about 3.2GB available in windows. Instead, I get 2.8GB. Where did the 400MB go?

BTW, i'm using Windows XP Pro 32-bit

 

OP

G

goldtna

Member

​

Joined

Nov 27, 2008

• Jun 2, 2009

• Thread Starter
• #2

BTW, the mobo is Asus A8N-E and both Software and Hardware 4GB remapping is enabled.

 

redduc900

Inactive Moderator

​

Joined

Dec 17, 2000

Location

Portland, OR

• Jun 2, 2009

• #3

What are the rest of your system spec's?

 

OP

G

goldtna

Member

​

Joined

Nov 27, 2008

• Jun 2, 2009

• Thread Starter
• #4

System Specs:

Asus A8N-E
X2 4200+ (socket 939)
4GB PC3200 Ram (2gb OCZ and 2gb Muskin) running with correct timings
3800HD + X1600 XT video cards
2 SATA HDD's
500W PSU

All overclock settings are off.

 

zbo

Member

​

Joined

May 14, 2008

• Jun 2, 2009

• #5

BIOS, Video Cards, sound cards anything that has ram uses the 32-bit address.

 

Tserrof

Member

​

Joined

Nov 14, 2005

Location

UVic

• Jun 2, 2009

• #6

yes this is entirely normal. you just happen to have hardware that requires more memory address space than less exotic hardware configs. to be honest you could do a lot worse so don't sweat it. i once had an SLI rig that could only address 2.25GB out of the 4GB i had. :\

 

P

pharoer

Member

​

Joined

Dec 4, 2008

• Jun 2, 2009

• #7

Both of your videocards need to map their RAM into your 4GB address space. That's the place where your 400MB are. You can check it in device manager when you choose View-Ressources by Type

 

OP

G

goldtna

Member

​

Joined

Nov 27, 2008

• Jun 2, 2009

• Thread Starter
• #8

pharoer said:

You can check it in device manager when you choose View-Ressources by Type

Click to expand...

That's sweet!


Looks like I stand to gain a lot of RAM going to 64bit OS. I got a copy sitting around so maybe I'll try it out.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

Airbornederekc

Member

​

Joined

Mar 14, 2004

Location

Massachusetts

• Jun 3, 2009

• #9

Definately your video cards.

 

AngelfireUk83

Member

​

Joined

Nov 7, 2004

• Jun 4, 2009

• #10

I have it shown up currently as 3.25GB instead of the 4gb I find seriously snappy than when I had 2GB installed ????? I just need XP this week for a project I am doing next week I'm dual botting Win 7' RC1 64bit.

 

JamesXP

Epic Fail Guy

​

Joined

Apr 18, 2007

Location

England

• Jun 4, 2009

• #11

Also make sure you have enabled memory remapping in BIOS, this should give you a little more memory.