Installing moreRAM after Win7 install

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Valnar

Supreme [H]ardness
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Apr 3, 2001
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I remember this being an issue with Windows XP. If you installed more RAM after the OS was installed, it wouldn't utilize the extra memory properly. Something with how Windows sets up the caches during installation. Is this an issue with Windows 7?
 
Hmm... I havn't any problem even with xp... So no just add them... You just need 64 bit os if you have 4+ gig ram
 
Yup, the limitation was due to the older 32-bit architecture of yesteryear: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_GB_barrier

Due to that, if you were using a 32-bit CPU and/or 32-bit OS, the computer won't utilize beyond 2.9-3.5GB of RAM depending on the I/O on the MoBo.

Since 64-bit CPUs and OS are pretty much the standard nowadays, feel free to just add RAM and Windows (or any other OS) will pick it up and use it... as long as the amount of RAM / density of each RAM module / combination of memory channels supports it. You can consult your MoBo's manual to check the particular limits.

What MoBo / CPU / OS are you using?
 
Hoan Kiem said:
Yup, the limitation was due to the older 32-bit architecture of yesteryear: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_GB_barrier

Due to that, if you were using a 32-bit CPU and/or 32-bit OS, the computer won't utilize beyond 2.9-3.5GB of RAM depending on the I/O on the MoBo.

Since 64-bit CPUs and OS are pretty much the standard nowadays, feel free to just add RAM and Windows (or any other OS) will pick it up and use it... as long as the amount of RAM / density of each RAM module / combination of memory channels supports it. You can consult your MoBo's manual to check the particular limits.

What MoBo / CPU / OS are you using?
Click to expand...

I think the OP meant that there was an operating system parameter hard-coded during the initial installation based on the amount of memory installed at that time. Even if you upgraded your memory after-the-fact, your system would still be stuck at the hard-coded parameter from the time of install.

OP, I have heard of this (somewhere), but it just doesn't make sense. At least not in the days of Windows 7/8.
 
REDYOUCH said:
I think the OP meant that there was an operating system parameter hard-coded during the initial installation based on the amount of memory installed at that time. Even if you upgraded your memory after-the-fact, your system would still be stuck at the hard-coded parameter from the time of install.

OP, I have heard of this (somewhere), but it just doesn't make sense. At least not in the days of Windows 7/8.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is the issue I was talking about. I haven't cared since I ran WinXP, but now I'm upgrading a Win7 system. I know the PC will use the extra RAM, but some kind of cache is set upon install, at least with older Windows.
 
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