RAM question: 3gb and Windows XP?

OK. I've heard some things about RAM limits in Windows XP; that it doesn't recognize or make use of anything over 3gb. True? So if I have 4 slots with 1gb of DDR2-667 in each slot (dual channel), Windows will only see and use 3gb? And the "leftover" 1gb? What happens to it? Does it just sit there, ignored like a pimply-faced flat chested fat girl on prom night?

hd2k

 

It's because the rest of your system uses it already. If you have 256MB on your graphics card, the system needs to map those 256MB into your system memory, and it uses the "leftover" space just below the 4GB mark to do it.

Someone else will have to give you the technical details, my brain doesn't want to work anymore. But basically, your 32-bit operating system can see 4GB minus whatever else is used by the rest of your hardware.

 

correct My video has 512 meg so my system sees my 4 gig minus 512. No biggie though as I cant seem to max out that much ram anyway and they may fix that in the future believe they did in x64 versions not sure though since I game too much and x64 versions not too game friendly

 

Hmmmm.... interesting. Maybe Vista would be the way to go with large amounts of RAM. So, let's say I install four 2gb sticks of DDR2. The motherboard (supposedly) will support up to 8gb according to the manual. Would this be a waste with Windows XP 32bit versions? This MB was sold before Vista was even released; if there's this "limit" in WinXP, why even make a MB that can support 8gb RAM? Maybe Microsoft will release a patch that will address this? Or is this strictly a hardware limitation? You know what, I'm still confused. Call me slow, whatever. Thanx for the above info, but I still don't get it..... It seems that Microsoft could EASILY release a patch or fix for this. Pre SP2 Windows XP couldn't correctly recognize hard drives over 137gb (or was it 127gb?) but that was fixed via a software patch, why not this RAM thing? Thanx again for any light shed on this.

Does this always apply? I have three 512mb sticks installed and a 256mb video card; am I 'losing' 256mb so the video card can be mapped? I thought that's what RAM on the video card was for, was to take the load off the system RAM. I'm even more confused now than I was yesterday Confusion: for some, a temporary state of mind; for others, a lifestyle.

hd2k

 

Yes.

Because, not everyone runs 32 bit OSes.

32 bit OS limitation, AND a hardware limitation if you have a 32 bit CPU. Easy enough to read up on. A 32 bit OS cannot address more than 4gb of physical ram.

 

http://www.brianmadden.com/content/article/The-4GB-Windows-Memory-Limit-What-does-it-really-mean-

This is not a fault of Microsoft, so you are looking in the wrong place of where to place blame.

 

The 4GB limit in a 32-bit OS is at the DNA level, so to speak. No amount of plastic surgery can fix such an issue that is beyond bone deep.

Which is why I generally tell customers who ask me that they should stop at 3GB when it comes to a 32-bit system. They're never going to see that fourth anyway.

 

Beautiful :hyper NOW I get it!!! Thanx guys.

 

Does anybody really NEED more than 1GB?

Please read this and comment here...

http://snipr.com/memupgrade

...

 

The rather shallow analysis presented on the link is best summed up by Google's comment at the bottom.

"The content on this page is provided by a Google Notebook user, and Google assumes no responsibility for this content."

Geeks know better.

 

I do. My games look and run like complete crap on only 1GB. And no, I didn't bother reading and commenting. I know I need 2GB of memory in my computer. End of story.

 

Since the thread is about high amounts of RAM, could anyone tell me a situation where 2GB would be too little for the commone user? Also for the sake of understanding better, what would be a situation where 2GB would be too little for a more advanced user? I am building a new machine and set my sights on 2GB SDRAM (2x1024) 800 and am hoping it should be enough. Thanks for the discussion.

 

I'm running 1.5gb (3 x 512mb) of DDR400 memory, and the PC flies! I'm not a heavy gamer, but the few games I play run flawlessly. I do lots of resource hungry stuff tho' (like converting media files) and everything runs nice and smooth. Right now, I'm looking to upgrade my video card, as it is the weakest link in the PC....

hd2k

 

What are you using your system for?

Music/Movie recording and editing = 2GB is cutting it a bit short.
CD software = 2GB not enough

What do you mean with "common user"and "more advanced user"?

 

I multitask heavily, and play games.

One thing I can say about Vista is dang...the memory management is impressive. Yes I use more ram idle, but it is very efficient between Superfetch and everything else that I've yet to have a problem with major paging.

Ironically enough with people complaining about Vista's sweet spot being 2gb...well, OS X 10.4 has been out for a couple years and its sweet spot is 2gb. That, and if you use a heavy DE in Linux, 2gb is ALSO the sweet spot.

 

My comment is this.

I like to use my computer to its fullest, and don't feel I should have to chop its dangly bits off by having too little ram. In other words, I believe that startup applications are fine, and should not need to be disabled or removed! Granted, I nuke some because they dont serve a use, or have an undesired effect on cpu usage, but some I actually do want starting up, like Powerchute PE, or Avast, or Start++ because they ENHANCE my computing experience or are needed for security.

The only way people slide by with small amounts of ram is this:

1. They neuter their machine by disabling every bit of eyecandy and startup apps they can.
2. They are light weight users.

As for needs...some people think its perfectly acceptable to listen to their hard drive thrash, and/or go for a cup of coffee while 'insert application' loads.

I am not one of those people.

 

Between the OS and some of the games I have, I can use 1GB or more
If I have something else going on in the background it obviously goes up, and it's always nice to know there is a little bit waiting there for if it is needed.

Having something like Meminfo running gives you an idea of how much you are using all of the time just by looking in your notification area. Because i have dual monitors, I can have a game running on 1 monitor and be watching how much RAM it is using on the other, if it ever gets to within 256MB I will consider buying even more RAM

As Adrynalyne pointed out, a lot of people like to use their computer to it's fullest (or thereabouts)
With RAM being so cheap, why not use as much as your system can utilise ?

 

2 gig will play well with any game out right now and for multi tasking it does well too.I use vista ultimate and as Adrynalyne pointed out vistas memory management is pretty good. I game and do a lot of videos/cds and had no issues at 2 gig (i just got more because I game while video encodes in background )