Computer Questions

Do you have a technical question that doesn't really fit a specific console? Want some general info on electronics, hacking, making cookies, etc? Here's the place to ask! Go nuts.

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paul4990
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Computer Questions

Post by paul4990 » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:45 pm

getting new computer soon

whats better

2x8400gs 512
1x9500gt 1gb

and if i get a q6600 do i need 64bit vista or will 32bit recognise the 4 cores?

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Post by lifeisbetterwithketchup » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:44 pm

XP (32-bit) will notice the four cores; 32-bit Vista won't have any problems with it, although I'd recommend 64-bit anyway, as it can support more ram (>~3.5GB).

As for those cards, I'm not sure which would be better, but neither will get you very far in the way of gaming. For gaming, a 9600GT or 8800GT/9800GT (they're the same card) would probably be your best bet.
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Post by Rekarp » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:53 pm

lifeisbetterwithketchup wrote: as it can support more ram (>~3.5GB).
Actually 32Bit can access 4GB of ram which is its maximum due to bit space to address those memory locations. (2^32 memory locations)

64bit can theoretically access 17.2 billion gigabytes of ram. (2^64 memory locations)
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Post by lifeisbetterwithketchup » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:14 pm

Rekarp wrote:
lifeisbetterwithketchup wrote: as it can support more ram (>~3.5GB).
Actually 32Bit can access 4GB of ram which is its maximum due to bit space to address those memory locations. (2^32 memory locations)

64bit can theoretically access 17.2 billion gigabytes of ram. (2^64 memory locations)
I believe that 4GB number includes video RAM.
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Post by Rekarp » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:29 pm

lifeisbetterwithketchup wrote:
Rekarp wrote:
lifeisbetterwithketchup wrote: as it can support more ram (>~3.5GB).
Actually 32Bit can access 4GB of ram which is its maximum due to bit space to address those memory locations. (2^32 memory locations)

64bit can theoretically access 17.2 billion gigabytes of ram. (2^64 memory locations)
I believe that 4GB number includes video RAM.
The GPU is accessing the video ram not the cpu. I have 4GB of ram in my 32Bit windows and it sees all of it. Been doing some rendering lately.
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Post by lifeisbetterwithketchup » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:27 pm

Rekarp wrote:
lifeisbetterwithketchup wrote:
Rekarp wrote:
lifeisbetterwithketchup wrote: as it can support more ram (>~3.5GB).
Actually 32Bit can access 4GB of ram which is its maximum due to bit space to address those memory locations. (2^32 memory locations)

64bit can theoretically access 17.2 billion gigabytes of ram. (2^64 memory locations)
I believe that 4GB number includes video RAM.
The GPU is accessing the video ram not the cpu. I have 4GB of ram in my 32Bit windows and it sees all of it. Been doing some rendering lately.
Alright, I guess I was misinformed them. :oops: My new computer should arrive in a few days, with 4GB of RAM, and then I'll know for sure. :lol: (Screw Vista.)
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mako321 wrote:What makes you head ninja, anyways? :wink:
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Post by hailrazer » Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:54 pm

The most Ram that any current Windows can use is 4GB minus the size of the video ram.

So you have 4gb but a 512mb card, then Windows will only use 3.5gb.

That's for 32bit and 64bit Windows.

You'll have to wait for the next Windows for them to "fix" this problem.

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Post by timmeh87 » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:39 pm

Where did you guys get video ram from? Its just all the I/O registers for your hardware. I guess video ram could be part of that.

Its kind of a legacy of backwards - compatibility with DOS and stuff.
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Post by Flo » Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:51 am

It's 4GB of total address space. Anything that uses a part of that will take away from the maximum total addressable RAM. That includes video cards.
I have 4GB of ram in my 32Bit windows and it sees all of it. Been doing some rendering lately.
32-bit Vista will tell you that you have 4GB installed, but still won't use all of it. Not sure if they did the same in XP SP3.

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