• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

32 Bit Memory Limits - Help

Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
875 (0.15/day)
Hi all - I have a simple question :

I have a scrap build PC I'm using for grunt work - Its running 32Bit XP - and has 4GB ram installed - because the chips where spare - YES I KNOW it cant use it all. I dont care 3Gb is fine...

HERE'S THE PROBLEM - It used to have a 320Mb 8800GTS Installed - and during this time the PC had 3GB ram free - which was great because it was running some VM's.

the 8800GTS exploded and I replaced it with a super cheap 9400 just to keep it running - Now the 9400 has 1Gb ram - and ever since then the PC only has 2GB ram and my VM's are falling apart, fro lack of rams...

WE all know WHY this is - so please nobody start explaining that again - My question is - does anybody know of any way of "LIMITING" the 9400 to say 256MB ram or something - with drivers or whatever, to allow me to have more system ram?

Yes I realize this would make games run worse - But I ask you what could possibly make games run worse than having a 9400 in the first place? - This is a simple server PC, texture memory is irrelevant.

PLEASE no "Upgrade to 64Bit..." / "Buy a vid card with less ram.." or any other BS answers...
I'm, looking for a fix, NOT to rebuild anything.

IF anyone knows of any way to make windows simply not recognize all of the Video Ram, then that will fix my problem immediately and for free - anyone have any ideas / heard of anything like this?

Maybe there's a way Of flashing the Video card to think it has less ram? any help?
 
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
5,731 (1.13/day)
Location
West Midlands. UK.
System Name Ryzen Reynolds
Processor Ryzen 1600 - 4.0Ghz 1.415v - SMT disabled
Motherboard mATX Asrock AB350m AM4
Cooling Raijintek Leto Pro
Memory Vulcan T-Force 16GB DDR4 3000 16.18.18 @3200Mhz 14.17.17
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ 4GB RX 580 - 1450/2000 BIOS mod 8-)
Storage Seagate B'cuda 1TB/Sandisk 128GB SSD
Display(s) Acer ED242QR 75hz Freesync
Case Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-01
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Corsair VS 550w
Mouse Zalman ZM-M401R
Keyboard Razor Lycosa
Software Windows 10 x64
Benchmark Scores https://www.3dmark.com/spy/6220813

PLEASE no "Upgrade to 64Bit..." / "Buy a vid card with less ram.." or any other BS answers...
I'm, looking for a fix, NOT to rebuild anything.

IF anyone knows of any way to make windows simply not recognize all of the Video Ram, then that will fix my problem immediately and for free - anyone have any ideas / heard of anything like this?

Maybe there's a way Of flashing the Video card to think it has less ram? any help?

Well there is no way of doing what you asked, unfortunately the only option is to go x64, and sorry for the BS answer :rolleyes:
 
Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
875 (0.15/day)
Well there is no way of doing what you asked, unfortunately the only option is to go x64, and sorry for the BS answer :rolleyes:

Heh - is ok - at least you got to the point in that you don't think it can be done - that's good enough.

TO all the Bios tweakers out there ... Surely its possible to jippo the video card bios to report less ram - I recently heard of 465's unlocking to 470's with a bios flash and gaining extra ram when they did - SURELY the reverse is possible too?
 
K

kyle2020

Guest
No, and it isnt a 'bs' answer, upgrade to 64 bit. Why cripple a perfectly fine GPU for the sake of being able to carry on using 32 bit?

Im sorry but this whole question just seems ridiculous to me.
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4
Have you tried the /3GB switch?
 

aCid888*

New Member
Joined
May 19, 2008
Messages
2,754 (0.48/day)
Location
In a state of flux...
I've run a few 1GB cards with XP 32-bit and the OS still allowed me to use 3GB of the RAM I had installed.....I don't really see why your having an issue.
 
Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
875 (0.15/day)
No, and it isnt a 'bs' answer, upgrade to 64 bit. Why cripple a perfectly fine GPU for the sake of being able to carry on using 32 bit?

Im sorry but this whole question just seems ridiculous to me.

I don't care what you think about what I want to do, OR why - and I dont have all day to type a 30 page screenplay explaining it to you.

That is what I want to do, and if you cant be helpful then why respond at all?
 

hat

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
21,731 (3.43/day)
Location
Ohio
System Name Starlifter :: Dragonfly
Processor i7 2600k 4.4GHz :: i5 10400
Motherboard ASUS P8P67 Pro :: ASUS Prime H570-Plus
Cooling Cryorig M9 :: Stock
Memory 4x4GB DDR3 2133 :: 2x8GB DDR4 2400
Video Card(s) PNY GTX1070 :: Integrated UHD 630
Storage Crucial MX500 1TB, 2x1TB Seagate RAID 0 :: Mushkin Enhanced 60GB SSD, 3x4TB Seagate HDD RAID5
Display(s) Onn 165hz 1080p :: Acer 1080p
Case Antec SOHO 1030B :: Old White Full Tower
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Bose Companion 2 Series III :: None
Power Supply FSP Hydro GE 550w :: EVGA Supernova 550
Software Windows 10 Pro - Plex Server on Dragonfly
Benchmark Scores >9000
Well then STFU and don't answer.

I don't care what you think about what I want to do, OR why - and I dont have all day to type a 30 page screenplay explaining it to you.

That is what I want to do, and if you cant be helpful then why respond at all?

I feel the same way when I get BS answers or questions on why I'm doing whatever it is I'm doing, but ouch man, that's a bit harsh...

Anyway, try adding the /pae switch into boot.ini
 

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,020 (1.91/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
I thought there is an option somewhere to set your video ram down to any amount you wish, but I can be wrong or it only applies to onboard.
 

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop
Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
18,914 (2.86/day)
Location
PiteĂĄ
System Name Black MC in Tokyo
Processor Ryzen 5 5600
Motherboard Asrock B450M-HDV
Cooling Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
Memory 2 x 16GB Kingston Fury 3400mhz
Video Card(s) XFX 6950XT Speedster MERC 319
Storage Kingston A400 240GB | WD Black SN750 2TB |WD Blue 1TB x 2 | Toshiba P300 2TB | Seagate Expansion 8TB
Display(s) Samsung U32J590U 4K + BenQ GL2450HT 1080p
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Audio Device(s) Line6 UX1 + some headphones, Nektar SE61 keyboard
Power Supply Corsair RM850x v3
Mouse Logitech G602
Keyboard Cherry MX Board 1.0 TKL Brown
VR HMD Acer Mixed Reality Headset
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores Rimworld 4K ready!
I don't think it can be done either. I'm pretty sure it can't be done. 64-bit would solve everything. Annnoying, yes, but true. :(

I thought there is an option somewhere to set your video ram down to any amount you wish, but I can be wrong or it only applies to onboard.

Are you thinking about that AGP Aperture size thing maybe?
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4
I feel the same way when I get BS answers or questions on why I'm doing whatever it is I'm doing, but ouch man, that's a bit harsh...

Anyway, try adding the /pae switch into boot.ini

/3GB enables PAE by default. If he tried it, he did already try PAE by default.


@Bazooka, is the hardware even 64 bit capable?
 
K

kyle2020

Guest
Well, that was my $0.02, if you dont like it then thats your troubles for you alone to deal with. Im still completely baffled as to why you would even want to limit the card, when doing a simple, and by some methods free upgrade to 64 bit would solve everything?

Im not attacking you in any way, im just confused as to why this issue was even raised, it seems daft to limit a perfectly good card :ohwell:
 
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
2,644 (0.48/day)
Location
...
System Name MRCOMP!
Processor 5800X3D
Motherboard MSI Gaming Plus
Cooling Corsair 280 AIO
Memory 64GB 3600mhz
Video Card(s) GTX3060
Storage 1TB SSD
Display(s) Samsung Neo
Case No Case... just sitting on cardboard :D
Power Supply Antec 650w
maybe physicaly destroy some of the ram chips on the video card ? :d
 
Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
875 (0.15/day)
maybe physicaly destroy some of the ram chips on the video card ? :d

NOW' were talking... although the more I look at the 465 -> 470 Bios Unlock the more I think a bios patch CAN do this.

I'm just not really up to speed with Bios manipulation :\
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4
/3GB enables PAE by default. If he tried it, he did already try PAE by default.


@Bazooka, is the hardware even 64 bit capable?

Honest question here. I may have a fully legit and free solution if you are willing to upgrade to x64.
 

aCid888*

New Member
Joined
May 19, 2008
Messages
2,754 (0.48/day)
Location
In a state of flux...



As I said, still not seeing your issue....
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4

aCid888*

New Member
Joined
May 19, 2008
Messages
2,754 (0.48/day)
Location
In a state of flux...
Out of the 5 setups I've had using 1GB cards and 4GB RAM I've never had this issue.

I've even gone from 256mb graphics to 1GB and not had anything change when using 4GB of RAM.


I'd reinstall the OS and call it a good job...it'd no doubt fix the issue and isn't a BS idea. :laugh:
 

Wile E

Power User
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Messages
24,318 (3.81/day)
System Name The ClusterF**k
Processor 980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory 3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s) Evga GTX 580
Storage Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s) HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4
Out of the 5 setups I've had using 1GB cards and 4GB RAM I've never had this issue.

I've even gone from 256mb graphics to 1GB and not had anything change when using 4GB of RAM.


I'd reinstall the OS and call it a good job...it'd no doubt fix the issue and isn't a BS idea. :laugh:

I lost 512MB of my ram when I went from a 512 to a 1GB card, too. It's not BS, it's quite normal. A fresh install did not fix it. Different mobos, hell just different BIOSes on the same mobo, can effect the outcome.
 

W1zzard

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
May 14, 2004
Messages
26,956 (3.71/day)
Processor Ryzen 7 5700X
Memory 48 GB
Video Card(s) RTX 4080
Storage 2x HDD RAID 1, 3x M.2 NVMe
Display(s) 30" 2560x1600 + 19" 1280x1024
Software Windows 10 64-bit
check if the graphics card is actually your problem by going into device manager -> graphics card -> resources -> memory

this should list all the memory ranges the card has claimed, check if those are really thatb ig
 

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
58,413 (8.21/day)
Location
Oystralia
System Name Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory 2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s) Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage 2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s) Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) | Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) | Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s) Logitech G560 | Corsair Void pro RGB |Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores Nyooom.
you cant limit the card, you will need to go an x64 OS in order to use the extra ram.

dont forget that 32 bit apps in a 32 bit OS are capped at 2GB anyway, once you go x64 you can use up to 4GB per app (even if they're a 32 bit app) thanks to the large address aware feature.

There simply is no easy, quick way out of this... you either have to change hardware or change OS, to get what you want.
 
K

kyle2020

Guest
you cant limit the card, you will need to go an x64 OS in order to use the extra ram.

dont forget that 32 bit apps in a 32 bit OS are capped at 2GB anyway, once you go x64 you can use up to 4GB per app (even if they're a 32 bit app) thanks to the large address aware feature.

There simply is no easy, quick way out of this... you either have to change hardware or change OS, to get what you want.

Brace yourself for the backlash!

Its such a smack in the face obvious answer, im surprised this thread has even gone past post #2.
 

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
58,413 (8.21/day)
Location
Oystralia
System Name Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory 2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s) Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage 2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s) Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) | Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) | Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s) Logitech G560 | Corsair Void pro RGB |Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores Nyooom.
i can understand him asking for another way to do it, but there simply isnt another way.
 

aCid888*

New Member
Joined
May 19, 2008
Messages
2,754 (0.48/day)
Location
In a state of flux...
I lost 512MB of my ram when I went from a 512 to a 1GB card, too. It's not BS, it's quite normal. A fresh install did not fix it. Different mobos, hell just different BIOSes on the same mobo, can effect the outcome.

He complaining that he has 4GB RAM and only 2GB left to use when his card is installed....that isnt correct as he should have 3GB like me.

I know quiet well you lose RAM for installing cards but he's lost twice as much as he should have; it doesn't make sense to me.
 
Top