32 bit OS and RAM limit

Hello all,

I've been noticing some lag with my laptop recently which led me to consider getting some more RAM for my computer. When I investigated further I noticed my computer was only running a 32 bit version of Windows 7 which, if I understand correctly, means that the 4GB of RAM I have in my computer is the maximum I can have installed which means installing more is completely pointless as it won't get used. This has somewhat irritated me as I believe my laptop is meant to be pretty good - it's got an i7 and SSD so should be performing quickly. As I understand it, the 32 bit version of windows 7 is what's really holding me back.

So anyway, firstly - am I correct with all of that? If so, is there any way I can go about upgrading to a 64 bit without losing all of my install etc.? I like how I've got my computer set up and frankly it's a lot of hassle to re-format windows!! Is there anything else I should be checking before wiping everything and starting again? Or is there any way I can use more than 4GB ram without changing anything?

I am doing a GIS MSc and in a couple of weeks we are starting actually using ArcGIS so I want to make sure my computer is running quickly and effectively before lectures start so all help would be appreciated. Thank you!

To an extent...................basically 32bit limits the system to less than 4gb of ram........i think its like 3.25gb is actually usable.

Yes but you can't go installing 3.25GB of ram can you??!

Hello all,

I've been noticing some lag with my laptop recently which led me to consider getting some more RAM for my computer. When I investigated further I noticed my computer was only running a 32 bit version of Windows 7 which, if I understand correctly, means that the 4GB of RAM I have in my computer is the maximum I can have installed which means installing more is completely pointless as it won't get used. This has somewhat irritated me as I believe my laptop is meant to be pretty good - it's got an i7 and SSD so should be performing quickly. As I understand it, the 32 bit version of windows 7 is what's really holding me back.

So anyway, firstly - am I correct with all of that? If so, is there any way I can go about upgrading to a 64 bit without losing all of my install etc.? I like how I've got my computer set up and frankly it's a lot of hassle to re-format windows!! Is there anything else I should be checking before wiping everything and starting again? Or is there any way I can use more than 4GB ram without changing anything?

I am doing a GIS MSc and in a couple of weeks we are starting actually using ArcGIS so I want to make sure my computer is running quickly and effectively before lectures start so all help would be appreciated. Thank you!

Why on Earth are you running an i7 with Windows x86? Mental!

You're going to have to format and reinstall an x64 build I'm afraid. I really wouldn't recommend trying to do an OS upgrade to 64 bit.

More worringley though is that you report poor performance on this system. It shouldn't perform badly at all, even with an x86 OS. Hopefully a format will fix this, but if not, do let us know. I presume you've done a virus / malware scan on your current configuration?

Finally, everything you have supposed in the OP is correct - RAM limits and whatnot.

It was just preinstalled when I got it - to be honest, I presumed that it was going to be the 64bit version and I have only just noticed it isn't. But anyway, it's not the end of the world, the laptop was a steal (you'd still be hard pressed to beat it a year on) it's just a bit of a hassle.

Yes, I've done the normal checks for viruses, keep it fairly clean in terms of what software I have installed and keep the start-up processes trimmed down to necessary.

Thanks for your confirmation. Time for a disappointing re-install!

How did it go? Is everything working as it should now?