How to use the full 4gb ram on a 32-bit OS with x64 processor?

[zaikuban]

im running 32bit windows 8.1 with a x64 based processor, i saw 4gb ram(3.1gb usable).. is there a way to use the full 4gb of ram? i read around and googled but PAE only works on 32bit OS with x86 based processor. correct me if im wrong about the PAE.

 

[Wolfshadw]

No. Your 32-bit OS can only accommodate a maximum of 4GB of memory address space. Some of this space is automatically used and required by your system hardware. The rest of the address space is left available for your system memory.

-Wolf sends

 

[DelroyMonjo]

32-bit Windows has an address space of 4GB. Part of that is used by system BIOSes and graphics memory.
With a 256MB graphics card about 3.3-3.5GB of RAM can be addressed and used, assuming you have 4GB fitted.
If you fit a graphics card with 1GB of memory only about 2.6-2.8GB of the RAM would be addressable and usable.

It's just the limitation of a 32 bit OS.

 

[zaikuban]

No. Your 32-bit OS can only accommodate a maximum of 4GB of memory address space. Some of this space is automatically used and required by your system hardware. The rest of the address space is left available for your system memory.

-Wolf sends

with that said, the only solution left for me is to install a 64bit OS?
is it possible for me to create a dual boot of windows7 ultimate 64bit?(my laptop is pre-installed w/ windows 8 and updated to 8.1)
microsoft claims that it is not possible, but certain youtube videos shows that they succeeded in such dualbooting lower version of windows with pre installed windows 8.

 

[zaikuban]

32-bit Windows has an address space of 4GB. Part of that is used by system BIOSes and graphics memory.
With a 256MB graphics card about 3.3-3.5GB of RAM can be addressed and used, assuming you have 4GB fitted.
If you fit a graphics card with 1GB of memory only about 2.6-2.8GB of the RAM would be addressable and usable.

It's just the limitation of a 32 bit OS.

im using nvidia540M 1gb and it shows 3.1GB RAM, though now i have an idea where my missing RAM went.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I probably should have made that clearer. Allocated memory space still requires available memory. So even with a 64-bit OS, though your memory address space increases to something like 128GB, you only have 4GB or RAM installed and allocated memory will still take up some of that.

The solution you're looking for is:

a) Don't worry about it. Unless you're working with files/applications that can seriously use more than your installed 4GB, you really don't need more than 4GB.
b) Install a 64-bit OS (check your 8.1 upgrade as it may have included the 64-bit version) and then purchase either a second 4GB RAM module compatible with your current installed, or if you're running 2x2GB RAM modules, purchase 2x4GB RAM modules compatible with your system. This of course assumes your laptop is capable of running more than 4GB of RAM.

-Wolf sends