Upgrading Vista 32bit 2 to 4 GB RAM question

[euro]

I have a home build E4300 OC @2.7 GHz (9x300).
Vista 32bit Home with 2GB Corsair (2x1) 6400C4.

I add two more (2x1) same Corsair 6400C4.

1. Boot into Vista and My Computer properties shows total RAM 3.5 Gb - was showing 2 Gb before, why not 4 now?
2. My Windows Experience Indes (under Coputer properties was 5.0 because RAM was the slowest one, now it's 4.8 - normal to drop with more RAM)?
3. My 3dManrk2006 went from 4,400 to 4,700 with RAM upgrade, normal?
4. Would my system and games run faser on Vista 64bit or is the main difference ability to run more than 8Gb RAM?

Thanks!

Dan (Euro)

 

[doomturkey]

This is a very common question. 32bit cannot address more than 4gb of RAM, and I'm pretty sure it is using all 4gb even though it shows 3.5gb. Don't quote me on that. The drop in experience index could be explained by the fact that when you run 4 sticks of RAM its slower than 2 sticks because the timings go from 1T to 2T. Your 3Dmark score should have gone up, that is perfectly normal. And 64-bit shouldn't run faster than 32-bit unless you have more than 4gb installed. Hope that answers your questions, adding the extra RAM should have sped up your PC even though the experience index says otherwise.

 

[euro]

Thanks, it's kinda what I thoght but wanted a sanity check.

 

[rsetter1]

From what I have learned is 32bit windows/OS's will only address 4GB of RAM. Any hardware you install that has RAM on it will deduct that amount from the total. Video Card 512mb..deduct 512mb. Sound Cards, Hard Drives etc. all get what ever they have deducted from the total of 4GB.
So you start with 4GB add a 512mb Video card and you have 3.5GB.
I think this is pretty close to what happens. But then again, what do I know.

 

[dagger]

From what I have learned is 32bit windows/OS's will only address 4GB of RAM. Any hardware you install that has RAM on it will deduct that amount from the total. Video Card 512mb..deduct 512mb. Sound Cards, Hard Drives etc. all get what ever they have deducted from the total of 4GB.
So you start with 4GB add a 512mb Video card and you have 3.5GB.
I think this is pretty close to what happens. But then again, what do I know.

It should be around 3.3gb.

 

[rsetter1]

You might check your Memory Multiplier .
2 x FSB = 600