The answer by JBridge squares with everything I've learned except from this site.

Aside on the original poster's question: I'm not sure where they got 3.5 Gb; the available RAM on a typical 32-bit OS would normally be lower than that, after some is appropriated by Windows.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.