Installing Vista with 4GB Ram

Ill be installing Vista 64 on my new PC early next year.

I've heard in some places that you should install 2GB of RAM, then install Vista. Then add in the extra 2GB of RAM to make it 4GB after the install has finished. Is this true, if so, why? I know windows has never been great at memory management but this does sound a little strange.

 

Straight off the top of my head:

Vista 64 should have no problems. Vista 32 seems silly if you're wanting to use your 4GB RAM. The 32bit Vista will only let you use 3GB RAM.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: Was a bit tired there. Didn't spot you had already written it was Vista 64

 

i installed vista x64 with 4gb of ram no problem

 

2 machines I built with 4gb and vista 64bit both intalled perfectly.

 

You can install it with 4GB no problem in 64. The more memory you have, the more it will use. It doesn't matter when you add it, it checks every startup. Right now Vista is using 1.3 gb ram out of my 4gb.

 

My mate had the problem you describe (with the 64-bit version), but its simple enough to get around - just install 2Gb and then install the other 2Gb after installation. You may also have to apply a hotfix.

 

My boss at work said they came up with a hotfix to allow vista 32-bit to use all 4 gigs of ram, I haven't heard anything about it. Anyone here heard?

 

Not true. They released in SP1 Beta (and it will be in SP1 when it's official) a patch that shows the bios memory. So if you have 4 sticks in your computer, it will show that, but windows still won't use it.

 

LOL that's awesome
I can already imagine noobs showing of their 8GB Vista32 rigs hahaha

Goooooo Microsoft!

 

So generally 64bit is fine, but 32 may have issues. I'm going 64bit anyway Cheers

 

there is an acknowledged issue on MS knowledge base with installing Vista with over 3Gbs of installed RAM
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929777

 

My mate did it with no problems I think...

Also, can someone answer this please... (Sorry to go off topic) - IS 4GB on Vista better in games than XP using 2GB?

 

Depends on the game, and whether its DX10 or not. Generally, Vista is a little slower in DX9, but not by much.

 

Ive got 4GB of RAM and 32bit OS's atm (Im dual-booting XP Professional and Vista Ultimate), over the Christmas period Im gonna change to x64 for both though, thanks for the answers.

 

what about with 8gb on 64bit? has there been any problems with that? because i can get 8gb of ddr800 for $250 or less so i may as well get it as i do video processing. but will there be a difference between 4gb and 8gb?

 

Vista 64 ultimate can handle up to 128GB RAM, so there shouldn't be any problem. Home premium is max 16GB while Home basic is max 8GB.

The difference will be, well.. 4GB. I don't think you will notice much performance difference before you pass the 4GB mark in usage. When this will happen depends on what you are working with.

 

well i love having lots of programs opened at the same time.