OK need help with OS addressing debate

[Elios]

32bit OS
4GB ram
1GB vram


does the local ram on the GPU have to totaly 1:1 mapped out of the 32bit limit
or does it get address virtually and other then the hole drives make usely 256 to 512MB
have an impact on how much usable ram in the system

ie.

person 1: 4GB - 1GB -other stuff = <3GB usable
person 2: 4GB - drive hole - other stuff = 3.some useble

 

[extide]

What 32bit os? Does it fully implement PAE?
Windows Client versions will show less than 3GB.
Windows Server or Linux (Or nearly anything else modern) on a machine that supports PAE, you will get all 4GB.

 

[Elios]

What 32bit os? Does it fully implement PAE?
Windows Client versions will show less than 3GB.
Windows Server or Linux (Or nearly anything else modern) on a machine that supports PAE, you will get all 4GB.

yes PAE is on lets say Vista Home premium 32bit
cpu is a Q6600 on a P35 board

 

[dbwillis]

I have XP Sp3 clients that have 8gb memory, but show 2.5gb in System Properties, the machines have 1gb Quadro video cards in them

 

[rflcptr]

yes PAE is on lets say Vista Home premium 32bit
cpu is a Q6600 on a P35 board

You'll still have a maximum of 3GB RAM usable, assuming the video card in your OP. IIRC, PAE won't apply in non-server versions of Windows due to driver issues.

 

[pallesen]

The mapping of VRAM is not always 1:1. So it is not impossible to have more than 3 usable with >1GB VRAM.

 

[DedEmbryonicCe11]

With XP Pro 32bit I upgraded from a 7600GT with 256mb VRAM to a HD4850 with 512mb of VRAM and I went from ~3.2GB usable to 3.4GB. I don't understand that but I'm not complaining...