Memory upgrade

[R2D2-8]

I have 3 GB RAM memory on my computer. The only upgrade I could find in DDR2 type memory is just another 1 GB. When I install the extra 1GB memory board by replacing my 1GB board with a 2 GB board, the computer starts up O.K. and runs O.K. but when I go to system info when I have the original memory installed it shows 3 GB but when I go to 4 GB new information appears, the system says that I now have 4GB installed but in parentheses beside, it says that only 2.91 GB is available for use which is less than when my when my 3 GB is installed. At the computer store, they told me that the reason might be that my computer is running on a 32 bit operating system x64 based processor since I have a dual core pentium CPU T4200 @ 2.00 GHZ / 2.00 GHZ and that if I switched to the 64 bit windows 10 operating system, it should fix the problem. I have a problem with that and it is if I try to re-install windows 10 in the new configuration I will loose the option of reverting back to windows 7 in the future. I need your advice on what to do. Can I install the 64 bit configuration without affecting the way my computer works and will it give me access to the full 4 GB of RAM that I install. Right now, I am back to my 3 GB installation.

[banhien]

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@R2D2-8 wrote:

.... Can I install the 64 bit configuration without affecting the way my computer works and will it give me access to the full 4 GB of RAM that I install. Right now, I am back to my 3 GB installation.

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Hi,

No, you still have under 4GB because system will reserve some system RAM for hardware, specially the video cad. By the way, whay is your machine ?  Please use the following instructions to find out the model/product of your machine:

  http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00033108

Regards.

[R2D2-8]

Why doesn't it show this information when I have 3 GB installed ?

When 3 GB installed it just says 3GB

When 4 GB installed it says 4GB installed (2.91 usable memory).

How come it doesn't show usable memory when 3 GB installed ?

[R2D2-8]

You wrote "By the way, whay is your machine ? Don't understand what you mean, major typo in your reply, please explain or restate.

My system p/n is NW145UA#ABC HP G60.

[banhien]

Hi,

Your machine is an HP G60-414CA Notebook PC:

      http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=c01768916

which came with Vista and probably you upgraded few times. The specs says: Up to 1309MB system RAM can be allocated to Video memory. 

Why it does not show when 3GB, you may want to ask Microsoft but when system has more RAM, it will take available system RAM and allocate to video RAM, therefore when havinng 4GB, it knows it can take at least 1GB for video and others.

When moving to 64bit, system will need more RAM therefore it will allocate less RAM for video but you still can't get full 4GB useable RAM. Normally around only 3.71GB

Regards.

[R2D2-8]

I don't play video games or watch movies on my computer. Is video RAM that important if I decide to switch to a 64 bit operating system ? All I want is for my computer to go a little faster and any improvement will help. When in 3GB configuration, the video memory allocation is it the same ? Which would mean that in 3GB configuration, I have available RAM memory around 1.5 GB and by increasing to 4 GB I increase my usable RAM memory goes up by 1GB to about 2.91 GB like it says on the info page. Please let me know if I will get a little faster.

Also I was told that if I reload windows 10 with a 64 bit cababilty, I will loose the option of reverting back to windows 7 if I encounter more trouble. Please advise.

[banhien]

Hi,

You can only upgrade to Windows 10 for free using existing Windows 7 on your computer. Going to different Windows 10 that means a clean install and you won't be able to go back to your Windows 7 normal way. It also cost you $ to buy new version of Windows 10.

Regards.

[R2D2-8]

You haven't answered part of my question about if I stay with the version I got now with 32 bit is it still worthwhile to upgrade to 4GB to make my computer a little faster ???

[banhien · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Yes but you won't see it.

Regards.