[SOLVED] RAM upgrade Vista Business SP2 32-bit

[Humble]

Vista 32 bit.
2 GB RAM in one bank. One bank empty.
Dual core Intel CPU 64-bit capable.

Considering RAM upgrade, without switching to 64-bit Vista.
Will my system be able to USE a total of 4GB if I install an additional 2 GB?
How about force enabling PAE? Good idea or not?

Or am I better off with only 1 GB upgrade, for total of 3 GB RAM?

 

[Digerati]

I would definitely get another 2GB stick (preferably one identical to your current stick). While it is true with a 32-bit OS, you will not see the full 4GB, it is still being used by the OS for hardware mapping. If you just install a new 1GB stick, you will end up with less useable memory. This is particularly important if you are using integrated graphics.

Enabling PAE often causes more problems with compatibility issues than its worth. I don't recommend it.

A better idea is to bite the bullet and get a new computer with W10. If your current system is running Vista, it surely is pretty old. That means even finding compatible RAM may be a challenge and expensive. You likely will have to go used and that always comes with risks. So even a budget computer today will like run circles around that old machine.

 

[Humble]

...If you just install a new 1GB stick, you will end up with less useable memory. This is particularly important if you are using integrated graphics...

Thank you Bill, makes sense to me. Except the part above eludes me.
Would you be willing to elaborate how I end up with less usable memory if I add 1 GB?

 

[Digerati]

Less with 3GB total (2 +1) than with 4GB (2 + 2) total.

So with 4GB installed with a 32-bit OS, you end up with ~3.2GB to 3.6GB of "usable" memory (for your apps and such) with the extra being used for hardware mapping by the OS.

With only 3GB installed, the absolute most usable will be 3GB, but likely a sizable chunk less.

 

[Humble]

Got it. Thank you!