OS problems

I'm building a computer right now. I have purchased XFX MG-63Mi-7159 Mobo, Intel core 2 quad 2.66 Ghz, 4 Gb 800 mhz ddr2, a case and windows xp home. I'm going to "steal" the harddrive and video card out of my old computer until I have the money to upgrade them. I'm going to be using this computer solely for gaming.

The problem I just figured out is the version of xp I bought is the 32-bit version. Now, I just order all of this stuff (it hasn't even come in yet). If I put it all together and install this OS, windows will only recognize 3Gb of ram, correct?

I've already looked into returning this copy of xp and getting the 64-bit version. 2 problems with that though, the site I purchased from doesn't have the 64-bit version and they'll only give me store credit. I can't buy the 64-bit version somewhere else because I'm out of money.

I saw somewhere that I could fiddle with my bios and get windows to show the full 4gbs but it gave no explanation and I'm too new at this to attempt it without help. Is there anything I can do other than chalking this up to a rookie computer builder mistake and buy the 64-bit version?

 

Not to dissuade others from giving technical advice but what site did you buy it from? Seems to me you should be able to get money back for something you just purchased if unopened.

 

Hello, and welcome to the forum. :major

The 32 bit version of xp (and vista) can only utilize 4 gb of memory. This included your RAM and the memory on your video card.

Windows will ignore/not utilize any memory beyond 4gb, your system will run just fine, but all your ram won't be utilized. It will show up in the BIOS, but windows won't "see" it.

4 gb is an awful lot of memory, especially for XP. Even if you throw CAD or photoshop at it, you'll have trouble using it all.

I'd personally go with 64 bit. I'd also go with vista, as XP is being phased out by microsoft and third parties alike. The transition isn't bad at all.

If you want to return your unopened software- keep talking to the retailer, I'm sure you'll be able to work something out with them.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

To Sach2 - I found how to return the software for the full refund. I was looking trying to use the link in the email they sent me but there is a tab for returns on their site. The site is Tigerdirect.com I've ordered from them before and never had an issue. Always fast shipping.

To gimpster123 - I think I'll just keep this version of xp, may come in handy one day. 2 reasons I stayed away from vista.

1 - seems everybody is talk how many problems it has and it's a resource hog.

2 - I have no idea what the difference in the versions are. Which version would you recommend for a rig that's going to be pretty much solely for gaming. I am a draftsman and do use AutoCAD but I rarely work at home. I will usually install CAD on my home PC but I rarely if ever use it. The website I'm looking at has Ultimate 64-bit, home 64-bit and home basic 64-bit. I assume Ultimate is the best just because of the price difference but can I get away with home or home basic? I am on a budget and still need to get a video card and hard drive, so I don't want to spend $200 on another OS if I don't have to. I'll probably stick with XP for a while and upgrade later.

I'm not going to be doing any tweeking or anything. I want to boot up, load up my game and "pwn some noobs". That's all I do with my home PC, it's my xbox with a mouse and keyboard. I work 2 jobs, both using CAD, the last thing I want to see when I get home is more CAD.

 

I agree.

 

Thank you Halo, excellent advice. I will probably stick with the version of xp I have and upgrade to 7 when it's released. I usually run the same OS at home that I'm using at work and we have no machines at the office with vista, mostly because our IT guy doesn't like it.

For now, the only game I'm running is World of Warcraft. It's not too heavy on resources so I can live with "losing" 500mb of RAM.

I know what you mean, my wife is like "what's wrong with that, you still have the 3.5 GB. It's more than you had before." I'm saying, I bought 4Gb and I want 4Gb. Gimp said, it's hard to use 4GB of RAM. It may be hard but it's sure fun to try right?

I hear that Bioware has a Star Wars MMO coming out next year, so my plan is to have my system "perfect" by the time it comes out. Of course, it's Bioware and they're saying next year, so the game will probably release in 2010, so I've got time.