16GB Installed (3.25GB usable)

B

BigThing

New member
Hi there, recently built a new computer with up to date components...

AMD FX 6100 6core processor
16GB RAM (i know its too much but it came in a bundle :P)
No video card the moment (old one actually hindered computer performance as it was quite old, so i'm waiting for the AMD radeon 7000 series, due out in febuary) using the internal graphics on an Asus M5A78L-M motherboard
Win7 Home prem 32bit

The system runs fast but not necessarily as fast as i would like in the graphics department, originally i put it down to the fact that i am not currently using a GPU (i was under the assumption that most of the duties of the GPU would be passed on to the excess RAM). However when browsing the settings before i noticed that under the RAM section in the system panel it said that there was indeed 16GB of RAM installed but only 3.25GB was usable... (16.0 GB (3.25 GB usable))

With a little googling i discovered that the problem has something to do with the fact that i am using a 32bit OS. However i didn't really find a definite solution; also i don't exactly have the money right now to go and buy a new licence for a solution that may or may not work.

My question is, can anyone explain the problem a little more? and then possibly offer any solutions (preferably without having to buy a new windows 64bit licence, but if needs must i suppose i can save up...)

Thank you for any help and i apologize for the 'wordy' post :p
 
For the answer to the "32 bit windows 3.25gb" usable part see here:
http://www.brianmadden.com/blogs/br...ws-memory-limit-what-does-it-really-mean.aspx
Edit
This should be what you want to read about.
There seems to be a lot of confusion in the industry about what's commonly called the Windows “4GB memory limit.” When talking about performance tuning and server sizing, people are quick to mention the fact that an application on a 32-bit Windows system can only access 4GB of memory. But what exactly does this mean?

By definition, a 32-bit processor uses 32 bits to refer to the location of each byte of memory. 2^32 = 4.2 billion, which means a memory address that's 32 bits long can only refer to 4.2 billion unique locations (i.e. 4 GB).

In the 32-bit Windows world, each application has its own “virtual” 4GB memory space. (This means that each application functions as if it has a flat 4GB of memory, and the system's memory manager keeps track of memory mapping, which applications are using which memory, page file management, and so on.)

This 4GB space is evenly divided into two parts, with 2GB dedicated for kernel usage, and 2GB left for application usage. Each application gets its own 2GB, but all applications have to share the same 2GB kernel space.
Click to expand...
Lots of tech stuff but it should help.
The short answer is that windows 32bit can only access a MAX of 4gb's of ram.
So in short you will need a 64bit os.
Somebody may come along later to give a better answer.
Kenny
More editing
From Microsoft:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...=vs.85).aspx#physical_memory_limits_windows_7

Physical Memory Limits: Windows 7
The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows 7.
Code: 
Version	                        Limit on X86	            Limit on X64
Windows 7 Ultimate	
                                                 4 GB                              192 GB
Windows 7 Enterprise	
                                                 4 GB                              192 GB
Windows 7 Professional	
                                                 4 GB                               192 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium	
                                                 4 GB                               16 GB
Windows 7 Home Basic	
                                                 4 GB                                8 GB
Windows 7 Starter	
                                                 2 GB                                 N/A
 
Last edited:
thanks for the quick replies!

Right... I have found an OEM copy on amazon for £70 so its not the amount of damage that i was expecting (i paid more for MW3 :p ).

I suppose that my question has shifted more towards whether this is the correct course of action?

Or is anyone aware of a cheaper upgrade kit? (i know its stupid but its a long shot :) i did just (hopefully temporarily) loose my job :( )
 
There's no upgrade kit, I checked that before.
Do not buy an OEM copy, I'm looking at one now (I bought 1 as well thinking what you are), you can't use it.
 
There was a thread on the forum that gave a sort of "crack" that allowed 32bit OS's to access and use more then 4GBs but I cannot seem to located the thread at the moment.
However this method is NOT supported by Auran or Microsoft so if you messed it up, then it is on you.:p

But if you don't want the risk, then your method is the correct way.
 
Y me no use OEM!! (sorry i was just on reddit)

Is it something to do with having to register it with Microsoft to prove that you are a 'PC builder' (which i am... that false advertising :P)

EDIT: i just had a look and the actual licence that i am using is an OEM licence (it was from a no-longer friend) This doesn't specify whether it is is 32 or 64bit... could this code work for both?
 
Last edited:
BigThing said:
Y me no use OEM!! (sorry i was just on reddit)

Is it something to do with having to register it with Microsoft to prove that you are a 'PC builder' (which i am... that false advertising :P)

EDIT: i just had a look and the actual licence that i am using is an OEM licence (it was from a no-longer friend) This doesn't specify whether it is is 32 or 64bit... could this code work for both?
Click to expand...

Only for new systems and must be pre installed using the OEM pre installation kit. (quote from back of box).
 
BigThing said:
Y me no use OEM!! (sorry i was just on reddit)

Is it something to do with having to register it with Microsoft to prove that you are a 'PC builder' (which i am... that false advertising :P)

EDIT: i just had a look and the actual licence that i am using is an OEM licence (it was from a no-longer friend) This doesn't specify whether it is is 32 or 64bit... could this code work for both?
Click to expand...

If you have the 64 bit DVD the the same product key should work for both. Use Belarc to get the product key.

Cheerio John
 
I'm afraid that i don't have the 64bit CD, however i have found a retail version of Win 7 for £80 so only £10 more :)

I'm also going to get a sata 3 harddrive to install it on (currently on sata) at the same time to save reinstalling in the future.... total cost £145.98, an inconvenience but as i said; if needs must.

I'll wait until friday when my last wage packet comes in and make the decision.

Thanks for all your help

Regards

BigThing
 
BigThing said:
I'm afraid that i don't have the 64bit CD, however i have found a retail version of Win 7 for £80 so only £10 more :)

I'm also going to get a sata 3 harddrive to install it on (currently on sata) at the same time to save reinstalling in the future.... total cost £145.98, an inconvenience but as i said; if needs must.

I'll wait until friday when my last wage packet comes in and make the decision.

Thanks for all your help

Regards

BigThing
Click to expand...

Pity you don't know someone with a 64 bit version you could borrow the DVD and install with. Once its installed you can then create a 64 bit recovery disk.

Cheerio John
 
Most people say you take a big risk in buying Windows discs on Ebay but just over a year ago I bought the Windows 7 Pro 32 and 64 bit pack from a guy with a Chinese sounding name for about £70. It is completely genuine and has been installed about 3 times since I bought it due to constat upgrading of Mob/CPU etc.
As Clint Eastwood said "Do ya feel lucky?"
 
BigThing said:
I believe that an OEM key has to match the CD doesn't it?
Click to expand...

The CDs are mass produced so no you just need a valid serial number. Check on one of the technical forums but I've installed using the same DVD and different serial numbers.

Cheerio John
 
To the best of my knowledge an oem key only works for version of windows.
a Windows 7 32 Bit serial number will not work with a 64 version. It may install but it will not activate.
The retail version works with both.
Kenny
 
fran1 said:
Only for new systems and must be pre installed using the OEM pre installation kit. (quote from back of box).
Click to expand...

That made me take a look at the back of my Win 7 64bit OEM box.

Yep, it's there. I have no idea what an "OEM pre installation kit" is?

I built the computer, stuck in the disc and it installed just like a retail version.
 
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