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    Can I use 32-bit Vista on a 4GB Laptop ??

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by ahmadka, Aug 10, 2009.

  1. ahmadka

    ahmadka Notebook Consultant

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    Hi guys !! I am interested in buying a laptop (ASUS N70SV-X1 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...82E16834220529), which has 4GB of RAM, and comes with a 64-bit version of Vista. My problem is that I want to use 32-bit Vista on it, since more programs are compatible with the 32-bit version. So is this possble ? Can a 32-bit OS be used on this Laptop ? If yes, would there be any cons in doing this ?

    Thanks in advance for all the help :)
     
    ahmadka, Aug 10, 2009
    #1
  2. TevashSzat

    TevashSzat Notebook Deity

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    Well..you wouldn't be able to utilize all 4Gb of RAM.

    You should just stick to 64 bit since x64 OSes can run 32bit programs too while 64 bit programs can't be run on x86 Oses
     
    TevashSzat, Aug 10, 2009
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  3. ren3g7ade

    ren3g7ade Notebook Evangelist

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    You should be able to run most of your 32-bit programs without any problem of Vista x64. I run Vista x64 on my box and I have a number of legacy applications running too. Also as TevashSzat said, your system won't be able to see all 4gb of RAM if you use a 32-bit OS, as this is an addressing limitation for Vista 32-bit I believe.
     
    ren3g7ade, Aug 10, 2009
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  4. Rezigrene

    Rezigrene Notebook Evangelist

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    I think 32bit Vista/7 automatically enables PAE when it detects more than 3GB of RAM.
     
    Rezigrene, Aug 10, 2009
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  5. avanish11

    avanish11 Panda! ^_^

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    Yes. My Asus N50 has 4GB RAM and it's running 32-bit vista.
     
    avanish11, Aug 10, 2009
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  6. BeefyBeefo

    BeefyBeefo Notebook Consultant

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    Same with my N51. :)
     
    BeefyBeefo, Aug 10, 2009
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  7. Blueman101

    Blueman101 Notebook Evangelist

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    yes but you will no longer have 4gb or ram. 32bit can only see 3gb of ram so if you install 32bit on a 4gb ram system your system will only be able to see 3gb or ram.
     
    Blueman101, Aug 10, 2009
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  8. electronicrice

    electronicrice Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well that's not entirely true. As of Vista Service Pack 1, Vista 32-bit can now use and "see" all 4GB of RAM. You might as well just use 64-bit. Every 32-bit program and game I've thrown at it (both 64-bit Vista and 64-bit Win7) has never had a single problem.

    EDIT - I'd never known about PAE, but after reading about it, seems that 32-bit Vista (and XP) does max out at addressing 4GB.
     
    electronicrice, Aug 10, 2009
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  9. Rezigrene

    Rezigrene Notebook Evangelist

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    PAE allows your processor to address up to (I believe) 32GB of RAM on a 32-bit system.
     
    Rezigrene, Aug 10, 2009
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