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Maximum RAM For Windows 7 32-bit

I've already looked around for answers, but all the information I can dig up seem to conflict with each other. I need a straight and to-the-point answer:

How much RAM can I install on my Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit PC, and still have Windows recognize and use the memory?

It would also help to know how much of that RAM will be left for use by me at the end.

As far as I can tell, I can install up to 4 GB, and I will be able to use about 3.5 GB of it. Is that about right?

Apparently, a small part of the RAM (about 0.5 GB) will be reserved by the hardware and for system use. Is this true with any amount of RAM, or only 4 GB?

Thank you for the clarifications,

Rifdhan

Answer
Answer

32-bit Windows has an address space of 4GB. Part of that is used by system BIOSes and graphics memory.

With a 256MB graphics card about 3.3-3.5GB of RAM can be addressed and used, assuming you have 4GB fitted.

If you fit a graphics card with 1GB of memory only about 2.6-2.8GB of the RAM would be addressable and usable.

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Everything in your question is correct. How much of the ram is system reserved is dependent on the hardware installed. The system reserves some ram no matter how much ram is installed. 32 bit cannot address more than 4g of ram. 

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Last updated April 1, 2024 Views 585,156 Applies to: