Xp 32 bit

[barginbin]

I have xp installed on my system as im refusing to down grade to vista until i am forced to!! I believe its a 32 bit version of xp as its just the standard one as far as i am aware.

Now i have heard if you run over 2 GB of ram in XP 32 bit it wont like it and XP will have a paddy about it and i can only have over 2 GB of ram on a 64 bit edition of xp/vista.

Is this true or utter rubbish as i wont to have 4 GB ram in XP 32 bit 2x 2GB

Thanks allot people

 

[Rastalovich]

Nah it won`t have a paddy, it just won`t let u use all the 4g.

 

[ali_james]

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html

Haven't read it all but I think it expains it well enough. Applies to 32 bit XP aswell.

To my knowledge it doesn't impair performance or anything by having 4 gig installed, you just can't use it all. Simply the number of addresses is the binary 0 and 1 (so 2), to the power of the number of bits (32). 2^32.. Which throws out something like 4000. Some of that goes to your graphics card, to address its memory so I presume you have 4 gig - graphics cards memory. Hope thats some help!

Cheers!

 

[realitybytes]

You are ok with more than 2GB, XP 32 bit edition can address up to 4GB of ram.

 

[Pseudonym]

I thought you had to allocate memory if you wanted to make use of all 4gb.

 

[realitybytes]

Sorry should have pointed out XP 32 can address up to 4GB but that is the system as a whole, so all memory is taken in account that is in use with the complete system therefore the amount of RAM that the pc will shows will not be 4GB, as memory is used in a whole host of other things such as graphics etc.

There is no need in XP to allocate it should be able to auto manage it fine.

 

[Rastalovich]

XP 32 does have it`s Physical Address extension that does some magic beyond 2GB installations. XP 32 within itself was programmed in a world where more than 2GB would never be a home possibility, so they botched in this.

If u goto Control Panel->System, it should say it`s using the extension.

Small performance hit for that, not even sure if u can measure it.

 

[Mr. Smith]

I have 4gb I can only use 3gb in XP pro 32bit...

 

[barginbin]

Ok thanks people think i will still go for 4 GB to future proof myself a little (i know ddr 3 lol)

 

[nathan]

i think most people see 3gb when using 4gb.

 

[nunzio]

I have 4gb and 3.5gb in xp..

 

[Rastalovich]

Yeah I got a 3.25 at home somewhere, it depends on the make-up of the rig. Gfxcard memory takes the biggest chunk.

Need to find urself a nice 16/32m gfxcard

 

[barginbin]

Thanks everyone you have answered my question and beyond.