Windows XP Pro will utilize 3.0, 3.1 or 3.5 GB memory?

I would like to upgrade my computer. It's a Desktop HP Pavilion d4100y.
It now has 3 GB of memory. It will hold up to 4 GB. It has Win XP Pro 32-bit on it. I've heard 3 different things about how much memory XP-Pro 32-bit will utilize.

www.crucial.com website says it will utilize either 3 or 3.5 but doesn't say how to figure out which amount mine will use. My husband says it will utilize 3.1.

If it will utilize 3 that's a no brainer. I'll leave it at 3. If it will utilize 3.1, I'll leave it at 3GB because I doubt 0.1 GB will make a noticable difference. If it will utilize to 3.5 GB, I'll upgrade to 4.

I'm using voice writing with Dragon or ViaVoice and a CAT System to practice closed captioning (need to get to 225 wpm) and to do transcription and the faster the computer the more accurate the dictation.

Thanks for any advice you have time to share.

Diane

 

The actual amount of RAM a 32-bit system will see is dependent upon your BIOS/motherboard.

 

mcsmc:
Thanks for replying to my post and sorry it's taken so long for me to reply. I had a family emergency last week. Things have calmed down this week and I'm pretty caught up with work now.

I downloaded AIDA32 and ran it to see if I could find out some info on my motherboard and BIOS. Below is what it gave me. Is this enough detail to determine whether my computer could recognize more than 3GB or DDR2? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID 11/23/2005-LakePort-P5LP-LE-00
Motherboard Name Unknown

BIOS Properties
BIOS Type Award
Award BIOS Type Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Award BIOS Message Copyright 2005 by Hewlett-Packard Company Rev. 3.10
System BIOS Date 11/23/05
Video BIOS Date 08/11/05

BIOS Manufacturer
Company Name Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Product Information http://www.phoenix.com/en/products/default.htm

Problems & Suggestions
Suggestion System BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.
Suggestion Video BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.

 

Xp Professional 32-bit, Xp Home and Media Center 32-bit can see a maximum of 4gb however they can only fully utilize 3.25 - 3.5 gb. The rest is used for cache for the Hard drive. XP Professional 64-bit can address up to a maximum of 128gb.

 

Would I see noticable improvement in speed if I upgraded from 3 to 4GB?

 

If use RAM intensive programs (graphic programs for example Coral Draw) then you will notice a difference otherwise not.
Ram does not speed up your computer but it does help with multitasking

 

I definitely multi-task and use a RAM intensive program. I think I'll go for it. Thank you!