Increase in Available Memory to be expected by adding 1Gb RAM to 3Gb Vista 32 system

I understand the 32 bit Vista limit in addressing only 4Gb of memory space but I have a very specific question:

I have 3Gb installed on a Vista 32 bit system with a 512Mb video card, MSI X-58 board, Intel i7, 920 CPU. System Information currently shows: Installed Memory: 3.00Gb Available Physical Memory: 1.73 Gb (I'm puzzled by the low number)

My understanding is that the 512Mb video card (ATI 4850)occupies memory addresses between 4.0Gb and 3.5Gb and so does not subtract from the 3.0Gb of physical memory (correct my understanding if wrong)

My Question: If I install another 1Gb of RAM, will my Available Memory increase to 2.73Gb?

Thanks, Bob423

 

Re: Increase in Available Memory to be expected by adding 1Gb RAM to 3Gb Vista 32 sys

Ya, Vista and Win7 have the exact opposite memory model compared to XP, where MS wants to have as much of Vista/W7 in memory as is possible for faster response, it'll use about half the memory up to 2GB RAM and decrease percentage wise after that. Also, Vista is very good at relinquishing memory when it is needed by another application.

Like plodr said, you paid good money for memory so let it be used properly. Don't waste your money on another GB of RAM as you won't get much worth out of it unless you go X64. So unless you're running an intense VM client like I am, which now brings up the total to 2.9GB out of the 4GB that I have, of course I'm running X64.

 

Re: Increase in Available Memory to be expected by adding 1Gb RAM to 3Gb Vista 32 sys

So really augie, what you and plodr are saying is it's not worth it unless you go up to x64 ! Y or N :confused ?

 

Re: Increase in Available Memory to be expected by adding 1Gb RAM to 3Gb Vista 32 sys

Well, I bought an additional 3Gb memory in anticipation of installing Win7 64 bit and put it in just to see what would happen to Available Memory. The result is that Available Memory didn't change. Installed Physical Memory did increase to 6Gb but Total Physical Memory also stayed exactly the same at 2.99Gb as reported by System Information. Now on to the fun clean install from Vista 32 to Win7 64!