Question about 32 bit vs 84 bit?

[MikeThorne]

Hi

I've been looking at new computers from Dell, Falcon Northwest and a few other manufacturers and I have a question.

These companies are offering up to 4 gig of ram with Windows XP Pro 32 bit.

I was under the impression that 32 bit Windows will only recognize 2 gig of ram. Am I wrong about that?

Is there any reason to have 4 gig of ram in a 32 bit computer?

Neither company offers a 64 bit version of XP only Vista and I would like to stick with XP.

If I get a new computer with a 64 bit operating system how will that affect my older software? Will it still run? I'm talking about stuff that goes back 4 or 5 years not a decade?

Mike

 

[MikeThorne]

That's supposed to say 32 bit vs. 64 bit.

 

[cdogg]

Here's a recent discussion:
thread602-1452884

The bottom-line is that maxing out at 4GB will not hurt you even if half a gig or so is not getting used by Windows. Also keep in mind that anything over 2GB is typically overkill depending on the type of applications you are using and/or hosting.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[SimonDavies]

I would like to add that XP64 support for drivers isn't at the same place that it is for Vista, you're more likely to suffer with driver issues on XP64 than you are on Vista64.

As it stands I first started using Xp with 4gb last year (XP32) and whilst I was running 2gb I had no issues, as soon as I went up to 4gb I had a whole host of spurious issues that I just couldn't explain.

In the end I moved to Vista64 and I haven't looked back, there aren't too many things that don't work.

SimonD.

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[Nelviticus]

SimonD, I suspect your errors with 4GB in XP-32 may have been down to the extra memory being faulty, or maybe just coincidence. XP won't start falling over just because it has a lot of memory.

Mike, I have 4GB in my XP-32 machine at home and it 'recognises' 3-and-a-bit GB and runs like a dream.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[SimonDavies]

Nelvictus, the memory is ok (tested with Everest) and I have been using it for over a year now, no issues what so ever on Vista64 at all.

I have read a number of threads where people experience issues when using greater than 3gb of ram in an XP environment. Nothing concrete but they still happen.

SimonD.

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[ATLMatt]

The limited address space of 32bit OS's limits the amount of RAM they can effectively recognize.

On most 32bit OS machines I have installed 4gigs of RAM on, the OS is able to recognize in the 2.5 to 3gb range.

Generally the reason I am putting 4 instead of 3 gigs in the machine, is simply due to the fact that 2x 2gig dual channel memory kits are cheaper and more efficient than going with 3x 1gb, 6x 512mb, or any other combo my coffee addled brain can come up with at the moment.

I have never seen a problem caused by having 4gb in system who's OS can only address 3gb or less.

As far as the 32bit VS 64bit OS is concerned, since you are running a lot of older software, 32bit is probably a more headache resistant bet for you.

My advice? Order the system with a 64bit OS and install your own 32 bit os in a dual boot configuration, then it is really a non issue, you get the best of both worlds. The advantage of ordering the system with the 64bit OS pre-installed is that you get all the manufacturers driver signed driver packages, with will save a lot of 64bit headaches.

 

[cdogg]

The 32-bit OS can handle up to 4GB of address space, so it's not a limitation in the OS. The problem is that by the time Windows loads, a big chunk has been taken away by the BIOS. How "address space" works can be confusing. This might help clear some of that up:

As soon as you flip the computer switch to "on", the BIOS allocates address space for the hardware. More specifically this is the I/O memory manager called MMIO, whose goal is to set aside enough space for communication.

The MMIO rarely needs more than 750MB or so of address space. That is why a computer with less than 3GB of RAM has it all showing in Windows. It's when you cross 3GB do you start to butt heads with the MMIO. Again, this is not the OS's fault. Also it's important to mention that having more than 3GB will not affect the MMIO's ability to function, so there's no harm in doing so.

You can read more about that here (scroll down near the bottom):
thread602-1457391

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[kmcferrin]

I actually don't have any problems with 4GB on a 32-bit OS. In my case Windows shows 3.5GB available, not 2.5-3GB. There's a little bit that isn't available to applications, but IMHO, 3.5GB is much better than 2GB or 3GB.

Back to the OP's questions, when running a 64-bit OS you may not have any issues with your applications, but it's hard to say for sure without knowing all of the applications. Using 32-bit Windows XP and Vista, there is a subsystem called WOW (Windows on Windows) which provides a 16-bit execution environment on your 32-bit OS. This allows 16-bit applications to run correctly.

Windows XP and Vista x64 editions are true 64-bit operating systems. They have a similar subsystem called WOW64 which provides a 32-bit emulated environment for executing 32-bit applications. However, WOW64 does not support 16-bit applications, so 16-bit applications WILL NOT WORK on x64 editions of Windows. If any of your older apps use 16-bit code then they will not work on x64 Windows. One potential problem here is that there are some 32-bit applications that use 16-bit installers, so while the application may work correctly on 64-bit Windows you might have no way to get it installed.

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCSE:Security 2003

 

[Nelviticus]

Slightly off-topic: cdogg, why don't you put a FAQ together about this? You've posted several answers on similar topics and it's obvious that each time you've learned a little bit more about the subject, but the info you post is now spread across several threads.

I could cobble together a FAQ myself but that would be plagiarism!

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[cdogg]

True, true. At some point I'll find the time!

 

[MikeThorne]

Hi everyone.

Thanks for the information.
This has helped me a lot.

I will have to look at my software and see if there is anything that I am running that can't be replaced that I really need the 32 bit operating system for.

Running both may be the best way to go, I do have a copy of XP Pro that has never been used so ordering the computer with Vista 64 may be the answer, I was worried about mixing the operating systems on the same computer both 32 and 64 bit.

I have read so may negative things about Vista that I kind of felt like I should stick with what I’m used to, at least until they get to service pack 2 or something.

Getting a new computer is a lot of work for me, I like to check every thing out first and then agonize over what to buy. I do some gaming on the computer but it is also that computer that I make my living with.

I run a lot of intensive programs and some times several at the same time, i.e. Photoshop CS 2, Illustrator CS3 and InDesign CS2.

I'm leaning toward a medium priced Mark V system from Falcon Northwest but I want to look at all the possibilities.

I wish I dared to put my own system together but I’m a big chicken when it comes to hardware.

I’m positive that when I booted it up nothing would happen and then I would be stuck and not know what to do.

Thanks again for the help.

Mike