32bit OS

[ghoulsrulefools]

My current computer is running 32 bit XP with 2gb of ddr2 667 RAM and a 1gb 4870. I was reading an article about how the 3.4/5gb of usable ram is calculated. It said that there is roughly 4gb but the rest is taken up by things like the gpu. This article also said that the usable ram is calculated with a 512 mb of gpu ram. Does this mean that my 1gb gpu will take up more of that usable ram?

 

[MaDMagik]

With only 2gb of ram you should not be affected by this at all.

 

[ghoulsrulefools]

I'm talking about if I were to upgrade to 4gb, how much would my gpu consume? Would it be worth it?

 

[505090]

short answer you would see between 3.0 and 3.75

if you want the long answer read an article about 32 vs 64 bit architecture and pay attention to the section on memory addresses

first you need to figure out if you even use the ram you have no (no it is not a given). if you are in fact using all of it then it would most likely be worth the upgrade with the current prices of ram

 

[RetiredChief]

Yes, with a 1 gig Video ram you will have 2.8 -> 3.0 Gigs of memory available to Operating system and programs. My gpu is 512 and I have 3.5 Gigs available.

Microsoft has a good explanation of this (Just google 3 gigs vs 4 gigs). Here is one link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

I'm not sure if there is ANY performance advantage on desktops going from 3 to 4. I prefer the four as you can use two 2 gig sticks verse 4 sticks going to 3.

For laptops using shared memory for video ram their is a definate advantage to upgrading the 3 gigs (Common in lower priced Laptops) to 4 gigs.