I've found two different programs that alter executables to use more memory:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=32405

&

http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php

My understand is that 32 bit versions of Windows only allow four gigabytes of memory and after the operating system takes what it needs the game is left with about two. My question is this: I'm upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate, which has a much higher memory limit, and I want to know if with the 64 bit operating system if these programs will offer any benefit. Are 32 bits game ALL hardcoded to only use two gigabytes of memory and does a 64 bit operating system change this at all? I find the whole matter terribly confusing.

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

Using the LAA patch on a 32 bit operating system doesn't do anything for you. On the 64 bit that you are upgrading to though..... it extends the amount of time you get before you get a memory overflow crash. Combined with a mod that purges cell buffers reasonably intelligently.... and you can play for a LONG time without seeing memory overflow crash. (I have played for 7 to 8 hours at a stretch without a single crash. Both oblivion, and FO:NV)

Hence, my confusion as the majority of the discussion of these programs centers around 32 bit systems and almost exclusively around performance. In fact I found but a single page in my research with regards to crashes on this issue and many with no many mention of crashes at all. . . It seems everyone has a different view on this.

Edit
Wait, so does that mean 32 bit applications aren't intrinsically limited to two gigbytes? You didn't answer that question. It would seem so from your post, but I'd like a definite answer if possible.

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

Yes they are hard coded, more or less. You can get them to use more than 2 gig though by making them "Large Address Aware" using those utilities you've linked to. They will still only use up to 3 gig of physical RAM and up to 4 gig of virtual RAM though. It's just the limitation of a 32 bit program.

Oh, I have so many questions:

1.) Does a game have to be specifically designed to use Large Address Aware or will it work on all games?

2.) I take it that there is still a per application random access memory limit, in a 32 bit program, regardless of whether the operating system is 32 bit or 64 bit? In other words with a 32 bit program the operating system is irrelevant as far the per application limit goes, correct?

3.) If games eventually go 64 bit rather then 32 bit what will the per application limit be? Will it be higher or the same?

Edit

4.) Prior this I've been playing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with two gigabytes of memory. Now, that I have four will I be prone to these memory crashes without those utlilities?

5.) I'm seeing various other commands such as:

bcdedit /set IncreaseUserVA 3072

&

/3GB

Are these the same thing or different? Should I use them in conjuction with one of the above programs or just use one or both of the commands on their own?

- Ryan Paul Fialcowitz

In order to use the larger amounts of ram, the program needs to be specifically written to take advantage of it (32 bit app). 64 bit apps natively support use of more memory.

Supposedly..... a 32 bit app could use up to 4 gig of memory...... but, it is a very rare program indeed that actually does. I think it has to do with how large of a register they use for addressing memory usage within the app.

If games go to 64 bit..... the memory limit becomes a stupid high number. More than any current system board can support anyway.

With four gig, and a 32 bit system, the time you will be able to play, before hitting the memory overflow problem will be extended, going to a 64 bit system, and using the LAA patch, will extend it further.

I have no clue what the two commands do. The latter one is just a command line switch..... Don't know if it is necessary with the LAA patch.