How Much Total Memory (RAM) Can XP Pro Recognize or Take 2

[tyhand]

Hi,

I've got a windows xp system (service pack 2)that uses an AMD Athlon dual core processor.

So far I've only got 1 GB of ram on it, but I'd like to buy more.

My motherboard's documentation says I can add up to 4 Gigs. However, a friend of mine told me that windows XP only will recoginze 2 GB or memory.

Is this true? How much will XP Pro recognize? BTW, my motherboard is an Asus A8N5X.

I need to know b4 I shell out any money to buy more ram.

Thanks!

- TYHAND

 

[wolluf]

lots of posts about this. XP 32 bit will recognise up to 4GB RAM, but only between 3 and 3.5 GB will be available for the o/s - the rest used for hardware addressing.

I doubt you'll see much improvement from 1GB up, unless you run very memory intensive apps (ie, XP with 1GB will run as well as 2, 3, or 4 from most people). But if you're considering going to vista later, then more is good.

 

[linney]

Here are some links for you.

Windows 4GB limit
thread779-1376159

Make more memory available
thread779-1297655

4gb of memory showing up as 3.3gb
thread779-1082938

RAM, Virtual Memory, PageFile and all that stuff.

http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/WindowsGeneralWeb/RAMVirtualMemoryPageFileEtc.htm

 

[tyhand]

Thanks guys.

A star to wolluf for being the first to answer.

- tyhand