How much RAM to install?

[visagephoto]

My PC has XP-Pro & 2Gb Ram installed, I'm about to add an additional 1Gb, but I seem to remember being told that windows XP (32 bit) can use 3.5Gb Ram. I also heard that if you install too much Ram it slows the system down.

Therefore would it be worthwhile upgrading the Ram to 4Gb instead of 3Gb?

[cyclohexane]

I also heard that if you install too much Ram it slows the system down.

Your initial start-up may slow down, but your overall performance will be better.

[12stones]

Both your motherboard and OS determine RAM capacities. If your motherboard will handle 5Gb, but your OS only 3.5, then it's a waste of money to get the additional.

And, like said before, it will probably slow down your start up, but overall performance will definitely improve.

[GRASPUTER]

Win XP pro will only recognize 2Gig ram

[Take12]

Does adding more RAM make your computer faster? Click here!

[eastley]

Originally Posted by GRASPUTER

Win XP pro will only recognize 2Gig ram

False.

XP will recognize 4GB of Ram in "TOTAL"

By total I mean your system has memory addresses, there deducted from total ram.

Here is an explanation: Coding Horror: Dude, Where's My 4 Gigabytes of RAM?

[hostchecker]

Yep check your OS before doing anything else.
BTW What OS do I need to get 8 GB of ram?

[lexie961]

Hi
Now i am P4 system and mother board is dual core.And i want to know upto how GB ram can i use.
__________________________________________________ ______________________-

Lexie

[lexie961]

Is there anybody there to help me......
________________________________________
Lexie
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[Take12]

Lexie, I think your P4/XP max addressable RAM is 3.2GB.

Hostchecker, I think for 8 GB of addressable RAM you need Vista or MacOSX Leopard (and a machine with enough slots).

[Take12]

Snip!

[Eero Makela]

To go past 3.x gb ram you need to have Vista64 or XP64

I have 3gb on my Vista AMD 64x2 and it is fast, when compared to what it started with 1gb. Vista needs at least 2gb but more is better. I think the Vista SP1 now supports 4gb total but not sure. Also maybe XP SP3 has added that as well.

[Dirk]

it all depends on the motherboard normal should 4 gb be the maximum , use if the motherboards supports dual channel 2 modules of the same brand , speed , memmory size , that will help to increase the speed

it doesn't matter if you use xp , xp pro or vista , both 3 os are limited to 4gb ram , it helps to upgrade ram to higher speed , ddr 2 is still more relaiable and faster than ddr3 since this technique is not (ddr3) fail prove..

check your motherboard wich dram models are supported .. and more expensive is usually better and faster ..

[visagephoto]

Thanks guys

I went to my local computer store (same place I purchased all the components) and was advised that the maximum I should install is 3Gb, as any additional ram would not be recognised.

However later while reading the MB manual I found the following statement.

"Due to the limitations of windows 32-bit operating system, when more than 4Gb of physical memory is installed,the actual memory available to the operating system will be less than 4Gb. Windows 64-bit operating system doesn't have such limitations"

Therefore while still confused by different reports, I'm now slightly more convinced that my system may benefit from an additional 1Gb (4Gb total).

Incidentally my system specs are. . .

MB = Gigabyte GA-MA69VM-S2 (S-Series), on board graphics and sound. Board supports up to 16Gb ram (in 4 slots).
Processor= AMD64X2 dual core processor 3800+
3Gb Adata DDR2 800 (3x 1Gb Dimms)

[Dirk]

hi visagephoto.. my tipp would be buy one exact same model module ramm of adata ddr2 800 (i have the same but in 2x2gb modules ) thus xomming up to 4 gb , and download XP service pack 3 or vista service pack 1

goodluck

[felix.reichardt]

Vista 32 with SP1 does recognize 4GB on my PC and on my notebook.

[Eero Makela]

Originally Posted by visagephoto

Incidentally my system specs are. . .

MB = Gigabyte GA-MA69VM-S2 (S-Series), on board graphics and sound. Board supports up to 16Gb ram (in 4 slots).
Processor= AMD64X2 dual core processor 3800+
3Gb Adata DDR2 800 (3x 1Gb Dimms)

Adding 1gb more would not make it much faster then it already is.

I have a similar system AMD64x2 4200 with 3gb RAM and it is fast enough for me. However I am also running Vista 32 which runs slower then a system using XP.

Mind you for some reason LR2 seems to be a slug but that is most likely LR as it was never a speedy program.

[visagephoto]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

Adding 1gb more would not make it much faster then it already is.

I'm assuming that an extra 1Gb will reduce the need for writing to the HD when working on large files in PS.

[garyosborne]

Originally Posted by Eero Makela

Adding 1gb more would not make it much faster then it already is.

I have a similar system AMD64x2 4200 with 3gb RAM and it is fast enough for me. However I am also running Vista 32 which runs slower then a system using XP.

Mind you for some reason LR2 seems to be a slug but that is most likely LR as it was never a speedy program.

This depends on file sizes. If you computer is regularly accessing the page file due to insufficient RAM this will be SLOWER...not slow, just slower. Combine that with a fragmented page file and it is slower still. XP 32bit can address in theory 4gb, in practice you will get 3.25gb. I know cos that's what i get.

[visagephoto]

Originally Posted by garyosborne

This depends on file sizes. If you computer is regularly accessing the page file due to insufficient RAM this will be SLOWER...not slow, just slower. Combine that with a fragmented page file and it is slower still. XP 32bit can address in theory 4gb, in practice you will get 3.25gb. I know cos that's what i get.

Yes my computer is regularly having to access the page file when working on large 16Bit (20"x 16" & 30"x 20") files. and I'm hoping to gain a little speed (not expecting a lot) by adding some extra memory.

I now have 3Gb installed and my system reports having only 2.8Gb, therefore hopefully I can gain at least an additional .5Gb, by adding a fourth 1Gb. Dimm.

At only £15.00 ($30.00) per 1Gb, it's got to be worth a try.