Dev wrote on Sep 29, 2011, 21:20:
This says 4gb RAM is limit for 32 bit win 7. So, no excuse not to get that extra 1 GB
That's not how it works, Dev. A 32 bit memory controller can access a TOTAL of 4GB of RAM, but that includes every type of memory you have in your system. So your videocard counts against it.
So, like in the example Nuclear gave, if you have 3GB of memory and a 1GB videocard, adding an extra 1GB of memory to your system will probably get you exactly zero extra memory to use in Windows. (though it varies.)
The best info I can find suggest that you can likely achieve 3.5gb even with the video card. Video cards don't usually map all their memory into that space.
It seems to vary a bit between setups. I think the controller automatically maps half of the available video memory. I have a 32 bit box (still waiting on our "official" 64 bit win7 image. We're a slow company) with 4Gig, and I put a Quadro FX 4800 in it, along with a Quadro FX380. Total video memory is 1.75GB. Task manager reports my total available memory is 2813MB. (ie, I don't get access to over a Gig of my RAM.)
Whats sad is this arbitrary limit in vista/7 32 bit OS is more due to MS's licensing decisions than due to an actual limit. With XP it was possible to have more than 4gb in the 32 bit setup, and even though it wasn't possible to make much use of it, it WAS possible to use it in at least some ways.
Errrr, what?
It's not an arbitrary limit that MS put in place to annoy people. It's simply a function of math. A 32 bit controller can address 2^32 addresses, which equals 4GB. You're not getting more addressable space in XP-32. There's a reason why I have to support people who are on XP-64 (which is the most horrifying pain in the ass to support ever...)
As for the server browser through your internet browser, I wonder how long it's going to be before one of the frequent FF / Chrome updates breaks their plugins and people suddenly can't join? Seems risky to hang your entire MP experience on frequently changing 3rd party software.
Creston
This comment was edited on Sep 30, 2011, 11:49.