Vista 32-bit best option: 3 Gb (1+2) or 4 Gb (2+2)?

I'm getting ready to order a T61 15.4" (with integrated graphics) once it's available at Euclid's Computers and I'm debating whenever I should go with 1Gb + 2Gb (keeping the memory that comes with the laptop - if it uses a single slot - and buy an additional 2Gb stick) or just buy a 4 Gb kit (2+2 Gb).

4 GB of memory will run into the Vista 32 bit limitations found here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

My main question is, since I'm going with a integrated graphics solution (which will use some of the system memory - no idea how much), I don't know if the memory used by it will be taken from the initial 4 Gb pool or from the 3.12 GB available memory like mentioned on the Microsoft.

Depending on the answer to this question, it might not be worth going with 4Gb, but on the other end, 1Gb + 2Gb will not run as fast as a matched pair.

So, anyone knows how a 4Gb system with integrated graphics will handle the memory?

Thanks!

Steve

 

i would recommend keeping your old memory and just add a 2gb stick.. that way you wont have the error, but if you are the type of person that pushes their laptop to the limit.. i.e. games, CAD, stuff like that.. then get the 4GB set and then get a version of vista 64 bit..

 

^^ even then the pre santa rosa platforms havent been able to utilize all 4gb while in 32 or 64bit Vista. There is a thread similiar to this will lots of details. Please do a little searching in addition to checking back to your own thread, here.

welcome to the forum!

 

The onboard graphics will pull from the system memory, but will not decrease the maximum amount available.

So if you have onboard graphics, you will be able to install 4GB, however, Windows limits it to 3.12GB.

Just get 3GB.

 

So basically getting 4 GB RAM on regular Vista (32-bit?) is just throwing money away?
I do heavy 3D rendering in CAD drawings. Do you guys then recomend me to upgrade from 32-bit to 64 getting 4 GB of RAM? If so, what will I loose/get with this change?

 

If you want to fully utilize 4GB then use Vista x64, if want to use 3 or less then you can chose Vista x86. However, any x86 program can't use more than 2GB. Think about it. On my desktop PC (which was bought in 2004) I have not encountered a single problem with the 64 bit version of Vista.

 

I wonder what is the use of 4GB memory? What kind of application and usage pattern usually need this amount of memory? Anyone have real experience about this?

I am using 2 GB and never reach 100% in my memory usage in Vista. Never used for game though.

 

I don't think this is accurate. Do you have a source for this? I was under the impression that each x86 program is limited to 4 gb on 64-bit Windows.

 

We're talking multi-tasking here, with a bunch of applications running in multiple windows all at the same time.