[Banjo Man]

Currently, I have 4GB RAM, and that's just not cutting it anymore.

I know near nothing about hardware, but I've figured out that if I bought another 4GB of RAM, my computer wouldn't be able to utilize it for more than one reason.

I'm running a Dell XPS 420 desktop system with a Corsair TX650W power supply that, thanks to further hardware ignorance, is actually lying outside the case, because the Dell XPS 420 case has slots that only accept tabs from a factory power supply, and since this was my first hardware upgrade, I had no clue about. Luckily, though, it "works", though it ain't pretty.

I'm running Windows Vista 32-bit, which can only recognize 4GB of RAM, 1GB of which is always taken up by the Vista OS (from what I understand. Don't know why; is there a way around that?)

According to crucial.com, I've determined that I need 4 1GB 240-pin DIMM RAM, so that's $120.

It's looking like I'll need another OS, so that's another $100. What OS would be recommended for an 8GB system?

Here's a link to a CNET review that should have all the specs:
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-xps-420/4505-3118_7-32716531.html

So, what else would I need to buy in order to get this rig faster?

With no source of income, I'm pretty much gonna have to rely on Christmas and generous relatives, so this is probably gonna be many months long before I can get this crap done.

 

[greenbrucelee]

32 bit operating systems will only see upto 3.5GB of ram this has nothing to do with the operating system using the ram it's because the OS can't use that much ram.

you need a 64 bit operating system to see more than 3.5GB of ram but I highly doubt unless you are doing video editing that you will need more than 4GB of ram.

If you are gonna go to a 64bit OS you should go for Windows 7 providing you meet it's requirements I suggest you download windows 7 upgrade advisor to see if your system can cope with it.

 

[Tyree]

4GB of RAM is quite sufficient and filling all the RAM slots on a Mobo is not advisable.
Windows 7 will be a substantial improvement over Vista.

 

[Banjo Man]

4GB of RAM is quite sufficient and filling all the RAM slots on a Mobo is not advisable.
Windows 7 will be a substantial improvement over Vista.

Yeah, I guess I might upgrade to Windows 7.

I guess I'm just hesitant because I'm worried about compatibility and stability.
I didn't have a choice for OS (or wasn't made aware of a choice), and Vista was brand new at the time.

Is Windows 7 more stable than Windows XP? Because I know there's a work-around to get XP to run 8GB RAM if I wanted to (but given you guys' advice, I probably won't).

Aside from program compatibility (I'm sure some programs I run are older than Windows 7, and therefore incompatible), there's hardware compatibility (internal stuff may/may not be compatible with 7 or XP).

I have 2 HD's, 1 of which I use strictly for storage (no OS installed on it), and I also have a 750GB external MyBook USB storage thingie, so I have room to move all my stuff, but as a student, I don't always have the hours it would take to do it, as well as a day of not being able to use my computer (I'm a graphic design student, so I need access to Adobe programs, Maya, etc.)

On a side-note, any recommendations to what I should upgrade for use in graphic design and/or gaming? Is 7 better/worse than XP with gaming?

Jeez, I wish there was a way I could change OS without moving this 420GB of crap from and then to my C:...

Oh, and thanks for the advice so far.

 

[greenbrucelee]

all you have to do is buy the upgrade version of windows 7 it will keep all your files and data intact.

download the windows 7 upgrade advisor and it will tell you which version of windows 7 is best for your computer. Windows 7 also has an xp mode so if you do have any issues with older programs you can run them in xp mode.