How much RAM memory should I have for Windows Vista?
Sept 2007
Back in question #82 I talk about a new Vista computer I got with 1GB of RAM.
Out of the box it comes with 1GB of RAM. It contains 2 each of 512MB PC2 -4200 DDR2 memory modules along with 2 empty slots for additional memory. How much memory do you need and what is the best bang for your buck? Let’s find out.
The system has an onboard video adapter so it really wasn't even getting the full 1GB of RAM.
I added an addition 1GB chip for a total of 2GB RAM and noticed an increase in speed. There is no test data and just speed in the seat of your pants that you could feel. So if more is better I went ahead and installed another 1GB chip in the remaining free slot for a total of 3GB total RAM. It may have run a bit better but I really could not tell, matter of fact if I hadn’t increased the memory myself I might not have even noticed the difference.
OK, so now I know what 1GB, 2GB and 3GB felt like but to know what 4GB was like I had to remove the original 2 chips of 512MB and replace them both with 1GB chips. The computer booted up and the BIOS recognized the 4GB of RAM but Windows only sees 3583MB of RAM. Seems there is a limitation to how much memory the 32 bit version of Vista will recognize and you guessed it, its 4GB but most systems will not see the entire 4GB seems as if most will only see 3.5GB. You can do a Google search on 4GB and Vista for more info on why. No, it wasn’t being taking up by my onboard video card as system was tested with an additional 256MB PCI Express video card.
So the best bang for your buck is a Vista system with 2GB of RAM installed and if you want to go nuts go ahead and get 3GB but you will see little gain by moving all the way up to 4GB.
Update 4/21/2008
I just installed Service Pack I update for Vista and now Windows reports 4GB of RAM (previously it only reported 3.5GB). At least we know of one thing they fixed with SP1