RAM issues

[Valdez123]

Hello everyone.

Finally worked up money to get myself 2 GTX 295 cards with SLI. Yesterday I got Crysis and decided to play that. Only i was getting some serious lag issues. After investigation i learned that only 2 GB of my 4 GB of RAM was being used. I've ruled out everything but the OS and/or Crysis being the cause.

I run Windows Vista 32 Bit. Before, it was using the regular 3.1 GB it should be using from my 4 GB.... Then after this Crysis incident Only 2 GB is being used.... I've done troubleshooting but can't find anything on my problem... Anyone have any suggestions? I've drawn a blank and my very computer literate father has got nothing. So if you have any information on this problem please submit it... I really want to be able to enjoy Crysis. (and my other games for that matter, I can't do anything with 2 anymore, espeically since I run 82 processes at any given time) It's turning out to be a very awesome game.

Thanks,
Valdez

 

[crazyrockets]

Windows vista automatically hoards half of your ram. I would say upgrade to 64bit windows 7 and add another few GB ram in. Then you should have no problems with the memory.

 

[Valdez123]

But doesn't 64 bit OS need a 64 bit Processor? I have a Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66GHZ... Will that be compatible? Oh and, isn't that Win7 64 bit upgrade available right now for free?

 

[s14sh3r]

It's time for you to consider going 64 bit. A 32 bit OS can only address 4gb total. People sometimes get confused about what that means. The 4gb is address space, which includes resources allocated for your hardware. A normal non gaming rig will be abie to use about 3.5gb of the available RAM. Throw in the 1.7gb the 295 has and that number drops to below 2gb for system RAM. It's also true that Vista reserves any available RAM until it's needed by an application. Long story short: you're not going to be able to utilize your RAM until you change to a 64 bit OS.

 

[s14sh3r]

But doesn't 64 bit OS need a 64 bit Processor? I have a Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66GHZ... Will that be compatible? Oh and, isn't that Win7 64 bit upgrade available right now for free?

The Q6700 is compatible with 64 bit operating systems, it's what I had in my rig until I upgraded to a Q9650.

If you get Win 7, you can use it for free until June of next year, at which time it will start nagging you to purchase it.

 

[Valdez123]

Alright, Thanks for the advice! TO 64 BITS!!!!!!

 

[s14sh3r]

Alright then, But my questions first: is that 64 Bit version of Windows7 upgrade for Vista actually free? And is it still available? And also, will my processor support it, i know my other hardware will, but my Processor might not since i read that your processor must be a 64 bit one.

Will the Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66GHZ work with 64 bit correctly?

Thanks,
Valdez

Yes, that's what I was saying, your processor supports 64 bit. I had the same processor with Vista 64.
Win7 is technically a Beta that you can use for free until June of next year. I'll have to check and see if you can still receive a free beta key for it. If not, maybe someone here has an extra key they're willing to let you have.

 

[s14sh3r]

I checked and you can still get a key until October 21. Microsoft doesn't offer the actual Windows 7 download, but there are plenty of places to get it. If you want, I can mail you a copy. Just pm me with your address

Link to Microsoft to get a free key

 

[Ph?bus]

I checked and you can still get a key until October 21. Microsoft doesn't offer the actual Windows 7 download, but there are plenty of places to get it. If you want, I can mail you a copy. Just pm me with your address

Link to Microsoft to get a free key

where can i get Win7 download? i am getting a key right now lol

 

[Ryken]

note that while the beta is good until next summer, it will begin powering down your computer every other hour starting in March. Essentially, it's good until March.

 

[Ph?bus]

note that while the beta is good until next summer, it will begin powering down your computer every other hour starting in March. Essentially, it's good until March.

well, i can buy it before that, but just not right now. do you know where i can get it *easily*?

 

[Ryken]

I don't know of any *legal* ways to get the beta anymore.

Just wanted to make sure that everyone who was planning on switching their main os over to a beta knew when it would stop working.

If you are a student, you can get the retail version for $30 from microsoft. You have to have a .edu email address.

Otherwise, the full version comes out October 22nd.

 

[netmare]

It's time for you to consider going 64 bit. A 32 bit OS can only address 4gb total. People sometimes get confused about what that means. The 4gb is address space, which includes resources allocated for your hardware. A normal non gaming rig will be abie to use about 3.5gb of the available RAM. Throw in the 1.7gb the 295 has and that number drops to below 2gb for system RAM. It's also true that Vista reserves any available RAM until it's needed by an application. Long story short: you're not going to be able to utilize your RAM until you change to a 64 bit OS.

Bingo.

cg