The 4GB Patch Unlocks Extra RAM for 32-Bit Games
The 4GB Patch is a simple utility that allows 32-bit games and applications to access up to 4 gigabytes (GB) of random access memory (RAM) on 64-bit Windows systems. It works by toggling a flag in the executable that lifts the artificial 2GB limit imposed on 32-bit programs.
Giving 32-bit programs access to this additional memory headroom can prevent crashes, shorten load times, and enable support for larger textures and more mods.
Why 32-Bit Programs Have a 2GB Limit
To understand why the 4GB Patch is useful, we need to first cover why 32-bit programs have a 2GB memory limit in the first place.
In 32-bit Windows, a process can address up to 4GB of virtual memory in total. However, by default in 32-bit programs, half of this address space is reserved by the operating system. This leaves only 2GB available for the program‘s use – the source of the 2GB barrier.
The 4GB Patch flips a switch in the program‘s executable enabling something called the "large address aware" flag. This allows the full 4GB of virtual memory to become available to the program rather than just 2GB.
Who Will Benefit From The 4GB Patch?
The 4GB Patch is primarily useful for:
- Gamers running 32-bit games on 64-bit Windows: Particularly if you want to use HD textures and a large number of mods.
- Anyone using memory intensive 32-bit applications: For example, multimedia editors and CAD software.
You‘ll need a 64-bit operating system with greater than 4GB of physical RAM to take advantage. 6GB or higher is recommended.
The 4GB Patch is unlikely to be beneficial if you have:
- An operating system that is 32-bit
- 4GB or less RAM installed
- Applications that are already 64-bit
Below are some examples of popular games still 32-bit that can gain a performance uplift from the 4GB Patch.
Case Study: Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is an epic open world RPG renowned for its mods. However, its 32-bit engine restricts it to 2GB RAM without patching. Users report frequent crashing upon reaching the limit:
"My game kept crashing around the 2gb limit no matter what I did. I could barely play for more than a few minutes. Since using the 4GB Patch I can now play for hours with no crashes."
Reddit user, 2022
The 4GB Patch has allowed players to use more intensive texture and content mods without crashes by lifting the memory ceiling. One user tested the RAM usage before and after patching:
Fallout 3 RAM Usage
| Unpatched | Patched |
|---|---|
| 1.93 GB | 3.84 GB |
"Installing the patch doubled how much memory Fo3 was using from just under 2GB to a bit over 3.8GB proving the game can and will use the extra RAM."
The stability improvements also allow for increased use of script-heavy mods that augment gameplay.
Case Study: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim saw similar benefits after patching. As a giant open world, the level of detail Skyrim can achieve is heavily dependent on RAM capacity for texture and mesh loading.
Players testing load times before and after applying the 4GB Patch recorded significant improvements:
Skyrim Load Time Changes
| Load Type | Unpatched | Patched | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Load | 105 seconds | 87 seconds | 17% faster |
| Save Game Load | 18 seconds | 14 seconds | 22% faster |
The patch also prevented crashing when running ultra HD texture packs that could overwhelm the RAM limitations.
Overall the 4GB Patch allows Skyrim to tap into memory reserves, speeding up transitions and enabling support for greater visual enhancements.
Maximizing Performance With the 4GB Patch
To complement the 4GB Patch, make sure to adjust your system page file as well for optimal stability and load times.
With extra RAM unlocked, you can afford to expand the page file size substantially without performance loss. This helps act as overflow when even 4GB is unexpectedly filled.
I recommend a 16GB+ page file on an SSD. You want it considerably bigger than your total RAM amount.
Final Thoughts
The 4GB Patch enables 32-bit programs to break past arbitrary memory barriers. This prevents crashes, speeds up load times, and increases headroom for visual upgrades.
It‘s a straightforward tweak that can seriously rejuvenate aging 32-bit titles to continue shining on modern systems. Gamers running older favorites like Fallout and Skyrim on high memory PCs stand to gain the most.
While keep in mind no amount of RAM patches can completely future proof aging single thread performance or DirectX support, it‘s a buffer against instability. Overall the tiny 4GB Patch download pays back big dividends for those wishing to replay classics in expanded form.
