RAM and Windows

animesh_joshi · 06-25-2009, 09:12 PM

Hi all,

I'm in the process of building a new desktop PC. The motherboards that i'm looking at have max. 4xDimm slots and say that upto 16 Gb of RAM supported.

As far as i'm aware and have been told, Windows XP 32-bit version can support max. of 4 Gb of RAM. My question is that if I use more than 4 Gb of RAM how can I utilise all of it?

**wrench97** · 06-26-2009, 01:08 AM

32bit operating systems mathematically can only have enough address space for 4gig including system devices and add in cards. The only solution is to use a 64bit os like Vista 64 or Windows 7 64bit.

animesh_joshi · 06-28-2009, 03:28 PM

Thats fine. If I install Windows server 2003, will I be able to use more RAM?

**wrench97** · 06-28-2009, 03:47 PM

It'll use more ram yes but I doubt that's what you want, for the server OS check the HCL to make sure all you components are on it.

**Tyree** · 06-28-2009, 04:32 PM

A 32Bit OS will only "see" up to 3.25GB of the 4GB but it doesn't hurt to have the 4GB.
You can install Windows 7 64Bit and use it until June 2010.

06-25-2009, 09:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
animesh_joshi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbuorne Posts: 45 OS: Win XP	RAM and Windows Hi all, I'm in the process of building a new desktop PC. The motherboards that i'm looking at have max. 4xDimm slots and say that upto 16 Gb of RAM supported. As far as i'm aware and have been told, Windows XP 32-bit version can support max. of 4 Gb of RAM. My question is that if I use more than 4 Gb of RAM how can I utilise all of it?

06-26-2009, 01:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,591 OS: Win7	Re: RAM and Windows 32bit operating systems mathematically can only have enough address space for 4gig including system devices and add in cards. The only solution is to use a 64bit os like Vista 64 or Windows 7 64bit. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-28-2009, 03:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
animesh_joshi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbuorne Posts: 45 OS: Win XP	Re: RAM and Windows Thats fine. If I install Windows server 2003, will I be able to use more RAM?

06-28-2009, 03:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,591 OS: Win7	Re: RAM and Windows It'll use more ram yes but I doubt that's what you want, for the server OS check the HCL to make sure all you components are on it. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

06-28-2009, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,600 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: RAM and Windows A 32Bit OS will only "see" up to 3.25GB of the 4GB but it doesn't hurt to have the 4GB. You can install Windows 7 64Bit and use it until June 2010. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.