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Resolved Triple channel memory, 6 GB and 32 bit limitation

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Christer, 2010/02/09.

  1. 2010/02/09
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    For an Intel Core i7 based system, memory is sold in "threes ", e.g. 3x2 GB. I assume that Intel has not been smart enough to circumvent the 4 GB 32-bit limitation, right?
     
    Christer,
    #1
  2. 2010/02/09
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    32bit OS's have been out a lot longer then the NEW ram. Not sure why you'd think anything has changed;)
     
    Steve R Jones,
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  4. 2010/02/09
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Neither am I but ... :eek: ... well, let's mark this thread as solved!
     
    Christer,
    #3
  5. 2010/02/09
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    The point is that with the i7 chip you can run memory in triple channel rather than in dual channel using the new modules - see my System Specs.

    For a 32bit system 3x 1Gb is theoretically faster in triple channel than 3x 1Gb in dual channel - effectively 2 Gb in dual channel + 1 Gb in single channel.

    The 4 Gb limit is a function of a 32bit system, nothing to do with Intel - as you know :D For the 3x 2Gb you mention you need an x64 OS of course.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2010/02/09
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Yes, Pete and Steve, I just wanted to make sure that the only advantage is triple channel and Intel have not been smarter than I thought they wouldn't be ... :rolleyes: ... or someting.
     
    Christer,
    #5
  7. 2010/02/10
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Still amazed this keeps coming up. You cant beat the physics of 32-bit!

    A 32-bit system can address exactly 4,294,967,294 bits (2^32 or 4GB)

    Now if you want to know why it doesn't "see" the full 4GB of memory, read: The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed

     
    Arie,
    #6
  8. 2010/02/10
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    H'mm Not sure about that Arie, Legend has it that Commodore, Acorn, Amstrad and Sinclair (no doubt others) all developed computers which had well over 64Kb using an 8bit Z80a with 16bit address bus (Commodore at least even managed it with a 6510). :)

    Possible? Perhaps. Practical? No Chance.
     
    wildfire,
    #7
  9. 2010/02/10
    Admin.

    Admin. Administrator Administrator Staff

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    How much can a 16-bit address bus address?

    2^16 = 65,536 or 64KB
     
    Admin.,
    #8
  10. 2010/02/10
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

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    Yep, But the C64 had 96K, the various 128K model Spectrums had 160-192K.

    I'm not suggesting bank switching is practical though, 64Bit systems are a helluva lot cheaper than 16Bit one's were in those days.
     
    wildfire,
    #9
  11. 2010/02/15
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Well, reading too much can be one reason for the confusion and this comes from the horses mouth:

    Large Memory Support

    Physical Address Extension

    Just adding wood to the fire ... :p ... !
     
    Christer,
    #10

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