vmem :
DasHotShot :
vmem :
you technically can... but I've seen GTA5 use 4GB of RAM by itself on my rig
Don't make assumptions. We don't know his full spec, least of all the GPU.
If he has no GPU, what will you tell him? He will get 60fps?
Also, the game can take in excess of 7gb in some cases...like mine
Well, he said he's getting a gtx 970 so I'm running my "assumption" off of that. he'll be severely CPU limited, and to be honest I'm having a hard time assessing whether the game will be CPU bound before it is limited by the RAM issue
Let me make it easier.
The first problem here is a 32 bit OS. This is the bottleneck.
He will run out of ram before he even gets to the settings menu.
After that, the 970 is far more powerful than an fx-4100 system would normally incorporate, so the cpu is bottleneck 2:
Steps:
Reinstall OS TOP PRIORITY in 64-bit. (Use https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ and write down your key)
Then look at upgrading the CPU to a fx-6300 for example and going down the 280x route or so. It will create a far better balance.
Either way, if you go 970 gtx / 280x / Voodoo 3d you need MUCH more firepower on the cpu level and you will need 8GB of ram!!! otherwise any upgrade is useless.