WINxp Edition

[donsor]

My new motherboard has a restriction on how much memory can be used effectively. Specifically, it recommended not more than 3Gig on "32-bit" edition and more for the "64-bit edition. Does this pertain to whether one has the Home Edition or the Pro? I have the former.

[Calum]

XP Home and pro are both 32 bit.
XP Pro X64 is 64 bit.
Most editions of Vista are also 64 bit.
So if you have XP Home or Pro, stick to 3Gb.

[Neil]

Why would you need more than that anyway?

[Dilbert]

I don't think he does, but he wanted this clarified. (On the off-chance you've got a 4th GB of RAM lying around... can I have it, please? )

[donsor]

As you will note, my statements were interrogative. Just want to learn if you guys don't mind.

[patio]

From what i've read XP won't use much more than 3G max even under the toughest circumstances....Vista may be a different story altogether.

[Calum]

It will use it, but a certain amount is reserved for hardware addresses.
So with 4Gb, 3.25Gb is available, max.
32 bit XP can only use up to 4Gb of RAM.
XP X64 can use up to 128Gb of RAM.
32 bit Vista can use 4Gb of RAM (Vista Starter Edition 1Gb max).
64 bit Vista Home Basic - 8Gb.
64 bit Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate - 128Gb of RAM max.
Does that help?

[donsor]

 Thanks for the simple answer to my simple question. I won't be installing more than 2Gigs in my new rig to start with. I'm trying to save up for other peripherals.

[soybean]

Why would you need more than that anyway?

[donsor]

Why do some people climb Mt. Everest? Because it's there. But seriously I am only installing 2 Gigs but it's good to know I have the lattitude to go higher (if necessary).

[Calum]

Why would you need more than that anyway?

More than what?
3Gb?
Maybe for serious video or photo editing, or CAD work.
CAD gobbles up RAM like nothing else, except maybe Vista.
And sometimes Firefox.