Vista Ultimate 32 + T61p RAM

So I've been reading a lot of reports on actual RAM availability on Santa Rosa, and I'm wondering if anyone has Vista32 + 4GB and is seeing any more than 3GB available under the OS?

I'm contemplating replacing my 1GB chip with a 2GB chip (for a total of 4), if not for use now, but for futureproofing in case I switch to Vista64 later -- or if I can get another 256-512 usable now.

 

Why in the world would you want to do that now when that memory will cost a fraction of what it does today a year from now? If you don't desperately need it today, don't do it. . .

 

Not always true. RAM works on the supply/demand principal as well. Try buying some PC133 RAM or something equally out of fashion. The RAM I bought for my PowerMac two years ago (PC3200) was cheaper when I purchased the machine than it has ever been since ($90/gig then, $137.99 today).

Crucial has a 2GB DIMM for $146.99 right now, others probably are cheaper.

 

wow i see a SSD in your sig , cool how does it perform?

 

I haven't used it for booting yet, I have been using it to move large blocks of data between machines I plan to put an OS on it and see once I get things set up completely. It does show up in the boot order when I hit F12, so I'm thinking it could be interesting.

The performance seems ok, but I'm guessing it would be better if it was a SATA SSD instead of an ExpressCard.

 

Depends on what you are trying to do. 32bit os will only address just a little more than 3GB (varies depending on bios, chipset, etc.)

If you need more than 2GB of ram for what you are running, go ahead and get it. Ram's cheap compared to time lost due to a slow machine (when it's paging) or task failure when you run out of RAM (my CAD/FEA app just dies when it reaches the ceiling.)

64bit OS has it's own set of issues. Driver support, applications that play nice with it and more. If you need it and your apps need it get it. Otherwise, stick with what you have.

Another choice is to use dual boot and use XP if you have memory intensive apps and don't want to get more ram. XP will leave a little more headroom.

 

Right, I'm just wondering what that "little more than 3GB is" on the T61p with Santa Rosa... Is it 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc?

I use VMWare and Virtual PC pretty heavily and could use every ounce of RAM that's available. The more the merrier. I didn't go Vista64 at this time for the exact reasons you pointed out.

 

Well, we know that the T61p has drivers for Vista 64-bit for all its bits and pieces. So which apps were you concerned about?

 

I don't have a santa rosa w/ 4gb....yet (been waiting a long time) so I can't say for sure, but it's likely around 128. It's not much, just a shade over 3gb.

Thing about 3GB is you want dual channel and there aren't any 1.5GB chips. So if you need all you can get go ahead and get 2x2gb, it'll only be like $200. Get them and move on.

Yes, we know the P can ship with 64 bit drivers.
Do we know they are stable? Or are they bleeding edge?

What about his applications? I have some really heavy hitter apps and none are 64bit mature yet. No professionals even bother with these 64bit versions.
That's not to say some applications aren't 64bit mature, but they are few and far between. Another year or two will likely see this more mainstream, but not yet.

Personally, mine is ordered with 64bit Vista, but I'll dual boot to XP and use XP as the primary. V64 will be for testing only. And we'll just see how it works out.

 

I use VirtualPC/VMWware and Visual Studio constantly, and usually have quite a bit going. I think I'm going to go ahead and do it. If the upgrade to dual channel improves my Vista experience marks on memory access, all the better.

I'm less worried about drives than application performance with thunking down to 32bit from 64. I don't plug in many oddball peripherals to this box.

Thanks all.

 

I installed 64-bit on my X61s to support the 4GB of RAM I use for lots of VMware. It works like a dream

 

I have a colleague who's been running VMWare and Visual Studio on 64-bit Vista Business for months with no complaints that I've heard about. Tho I can ask him specifically about that. We talk computers every day, so I tend to think I would have heard if it was an issue. Tho I think he actually has 8GB of memory. . .

I ordered my ThinkPad with x64. In fact, it was one of a handful of key requirements for me in a new laptop purchase that it ship with x64 on it. That way they can't wash their hands on support issues. I'd much rather upgrade Buiness x64 to Ultimate x64 (were I to decide I needed Ultimate) than upgrade Ultimate x86 to Business/Ultimate x64. But maybe that's just me.