Adding Reply Archived Topic: It will not be bumped to the top of the forum. Topic Important question about RAM Membername   Not a member? Sign Up Free (takes 20 seconds) Password   Forgotten your password? Post Font: Verdana Arial Black Georgia Comic Sans Impact   Size: Tiny Normal Big Huge   Color: Default Dark Red Red Orange Brown Green Olive Cyan Blue Dark Blue Indigo Black [ Check Spelling ] [ Post Preview ] [ LiveTags ] FAQ Keyword Search: Post Options Favorites Manager Notify me of new replies to this topic by email Notify me of new replies to this topic by private message Original Post Juggalotus Posted at 9:09 pm on May 12, 2008 Ok I am building a PC and I was going to add 8 gigs of RAM to it. Well my dad told me that XP can only utilize 2 gigs of the ram. It can use all 8 but not at the same time. Is this true?

Replies Stormblazer Posted at 11:10 am on May 21, 2008 Quote: from luvinmychica at 10:09 pm on May 12, 2008 Ok I am building a PC and I was going to add 8 gigs of RAM to it. Well my dad told me that XP can only utilize 2 gigs of the ram. It can use all 8 but not at the same time. Is this true? Not quite. 32bit operating systems can only utilize 4GB *minus* the memory on the video card. This is because 2^32 = 4GB, ie maximum addressable space. Both XP and Vista come in 32bit and 64bit versions, and your CPU must be 64bit to use a 64bit OS obviously. FYI, 8GB is seriously overkill for almost anything but a server. obvious child Posted at 11:41 am on May 20, 2008 Quote: from luvinmychica at 6:09 pm on May 12, 2008 Ok I am building a PC and I was going to add 8 gigs of RAM to it. Well my dad told me that XP can only utilize 2 gigs of the ram. It can use all 8 but not at the same time. Is this true? Unless it was changed, XP only uses around 700 megs. Not even a gig. 8 is over kill unless you plan on running a large dedicated server. Even 4 is more then the average user will need in the next couple years unless you're running Crysis on full specs. drifting Posted at 10:45 am on May 20, 2008 Get 4gb at the max. 32bit OSs can only see about 3.25gb, but x64 systems can see the full amount. Unless you have a really good reason for getting 8gb, or even 4gb, you should just stick in the realm of the x32 systems, and use 2gb, possibly 3gb. matto Posted at 7:41 am on May 20, 2008 my fault :P Lepperking Posted at 8:28 am on May 17, 2008 XP 32Bit is capped i believe at around 3gb. Go for 4gb if you are going to get 64bit and are going to use memory intense applications or are going to game on it, otherwise you won't need it. Tursi Askari Posted at 3:31 am on May 15, 2008 Quote: from matto at 4:12 pm on May 13, 2008 nah it can use all 8 fine. just depends on the mobo however, you're never going to need that much, and it's a complete waste of $$$ in my opinion Fail. 32bit OS can't use it. MemeCat Posted at 7:54 pm on May 14, 2008 4 GB of RAM is overkill for a 32-bit OS. Windows can only address up to 3GB. 64-bit OSs can access up to 4GB and more. Rhapsody Posted at 5:50 am on May 14, 2008 Buying 8GB of RAM is a waste of money, especially if you are using a 32-bit Operating System. As the maximum number of addresses which can be addressed in a 32 bit Operating System is about 4GB. And you will never be able to get all of that 4Gigs, as when the computer is turned on, the hard ware, such as graphics cards, audio cards and HDD etc, will get their say in how much RAM they want, so in the end you may only have 3 to 3.5 Gigs of effective RAM. Read more here Azumi Posted at 9:15 pm on May 12, 2008 Quote: from luvinmychica at 9:14 pm on May 12, 2008 SO two gig should be ebough then? Try 4, so you're more prepared for future software. Unless you're just doing simple gaming/stuff, then 2 is fine. Azumi Posted at 9:14 pm on May 12, 2008 Quote: from Tuski at 9:11 pm on May 12, 2008 Pretty much, 8 gigs is overkill on any system unless you're doing an insane amount of video processing.  Don't waste your money. Exactly. That, or extreme multi-tasking, media creation (DVD's, etc), or making it a fileserver.. Though, do invest in 4gb, as Windows Vista does better utilize your RAM. Instead of another 120$ for an additional 4gb's, try a better processor for video editing, or SLI/CrossFire for gaming. Juggalotus Posted at 9:14 pm on May 12, 2008 SO two gig should be ebough then? matto Posted at 9:12 pm on May 12, 2008 nah it can use all 8 fine. just depends on the mobo however, you're never going to need that much, and it's a complete waste of $$$ in my opinion Tuski Posted at 9:11 pm on May 12, 2008 Pretty much, 8 gigs is overkill on any system unless you're doing an insane amount of video processing.  Don't waste your money. Joep0113 Posted at 9:11 pm on May 12, 2008 Yes i believe so, at a certain point 2 much RAM can hurt i think O.o....puts a drain on the powersupply.   Azumi Posted at 9:10 pm on May 12, 2008 I don't believe so.. I think it's  4gb's, or 8 for Windows XP 32bit, and 16gb for 64bit. (It also depends on your motherboard, and CPU). Most recent 15 of 15 previous replies displayed.