12 GB of memory + vista 64bit

[jticeman500]

Hi I have question with regards to the way Windows vista 64bit handles memory. I plan to upgrade my pc to an Core i7 platform and plan run 2 sets of 6 GB tri channel memory units (12 GB total). My main use of the computer is graphics / photography / and gaming. If I had Photoshop CS4 (32bit) and Photoshop Lightroom 2 (32bit) since Adobe has yet to release any of their programs in 64bit. My question is how will vista 64bit handle these 32bit apps memory allocations? For example will vista allow both programs to use up to the max 4 GB each that 32bit program can recognize? Or will all of these 32bit applications be force to share the first 4 GB of memory on the system?

Memory break down:

Photoshop CS4 : 4gb used memory
Photoshop Lightroom 2 : 4gb used memory

Leaving Windows vista with 4gb of memory left

Thanks

[saturnotaku]

Don't double post.

[jticeman500]

Originally Posted by saturnotaku

Don't double post.

Post has to do with both hardware and windows.....

[Zelda_fan]

Originally Posted by jticeman500

Post has to do with both hardware and windows.....

Then just post it in one of those forums.

[LovingSticky]

Originally Posted by jticeman500

Or will all of these 32bit applications be force to share the first 4 GB of memory on the system?

Vista x64 will allow up to full 4GB memory window to any 32bit app. Tested :-) In fact, Vista x64 is the best OS to run 32bit apps, as no 32bit OS can offer full 4GB of address space to application (don't even think about PAE).

Anyway, both programs you mention - Photoshop CS4 and LightRoom 2 are native 64bit apps on Vista x64 (unlike on obsolete OS X Leopard), so you won't be even limited by 4GB "32bit limit".

I am thinking about moving from 8GB to 16GB (P45 chipset can handle that), as having SQL Server 2008 Standard, IIS7, ASP.NET running in the background, and Photoshop CS4, Outlook, etc. in the foreground, can utilize 8GB RAM easily.