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question on the total ram showing in XP
Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is,
even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
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#2
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question on the total ram showing in XP
In round numbers XP can only address 4GB.
Your video card has XXXMB of ram on the card so that limits XP to 4GB minus the cards XXXMB of memory. In addition other hardware also takes away additional amounts of memory (usually a small when compared to the video card) and the remaining memory (address space) is available for Windows XP and your applications. So that 4th GB of ram you installed or will install is mostly not available to XP. A link to the white paper titled "Gaming Performance Analysis" by Corsair Memory Inc. provides a good clear explanation of how a video card effects the amount of available memory in your PC. See: http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN8...e_Analysis.pdf Intel Chipset 4 GB System Memory Support http://www.dcomputer.com/ProInfo/sup...1/4GB_Rev1.pdf Vista Users with SP1 now report how much physical memory installed on your computer: See: Windows Vista SP1 includes reporting of Installed System Memory (RAM): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946003 RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff: Basic information about the Virtual Memory implementation in 32 bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server etc. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223 As to adding another 1GB, do you have a specific need by that I mean a special application that would benefit? JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
#3
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question on the total ram showing in XP
"Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie No point in going passed 3GB, Debs. bw.. |
#4
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question on the total ram showing in XP
XP 32bit will only use between 3.1 and 3.5G of RAM.
XP 64bit will use all of the 4G. Install the extra 1G -- Mad Mike "Debbie Graham" wrote: Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
#5
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question on the total ram showing in XP
On Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:06:07 -0500, "Debbie Graham"
wrote: Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? No. All 32-bit client versions of Windows (not just Vista/XP) have a 4GB address space. That's the theoretical upper limit beyond which you can not go. But you can't use the entire 4GB of address space. Even though you have a 4GB address space, you can only use *around* 3.1GB of RAM. That's because some of that space is used by hardware and is not available to the operating system and applications. The amount you can use varies, depending on what hardware you have installed, but can range from as little as 2GB to as much as 3.5GB. It's usually around 3.1GB. Note that the hardware is using the address *space*, not the actual RAM itself. The rest of the RAM goes unused because there is no address space to map it too. If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Two points: 1. Very few people running XP need as much as 2GB, let alone more. Chances are that adding any more RAM will not provide you with any improvement. 2. If the apps you run are such that adding more RAM will improve your performance, you can probably use a little more than 3GB, but the exact amount depends on what hardware you have. -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#6
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question on the total ram showing in XP
"Debbie Graham" wrote in message
... Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Are you absolutely sure that you need more than 2GB of RAM? For most people, that's way more than enough to run XP. |
#7
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question on the total ram showing in XP
Thanks for the explanation. No there really isn't ant need right now for
more RAM. I need to upgrade my processor to get the full range of the RAM I have now. So once I do that I probably will notice a little improvement Debbie In round numbers XP can only address 4GB. Your video card has XXXMB of ram on the card so that limits XP to 4GB minus the cards XXXMB of memory. In addition other hardware also takes away additional amounts of memory (usually a small when compared to the video card) and the remaining memory (address space) is available for Windows XP and your applications. So that 4th GB of ram you installed or will install is mostly not available to XP. A link to the white paper titled "Gaming Performance Analysis" by Corsair Memory Inc. provides a good clear explanation of how a video card effects the amount of available memory in your PC. See: http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN8...e_Analysis.pdf Intel Chipset 4 GB System Memory Support http://www.dcomputer.com/ProInfo/sup...1/4GB_Rev1.pdf Vista Users with SP1 now report how much physical memory installed on your computer: See: Windows Vista SP1 includes reporting of Installed System Memory (RAM): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946003 RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff: Basic information about the Virtual Memory implementation in 32 bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server etc. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223 As to adding another 1GB, do you have a specific need by that I mean a special application that would benefit? JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
#8
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question on the total ram showing in XP
Thanks guys. Now I know where I stand on my RAM issue.
Debbie "Mick Murphy" wrote in message ... XP 32bit will only use between 3.1 and 3.5G of RAM. XP 64bit will use all of the 4G. Install the extra 1G -- Mad Mike "Debbie Graham" wrote: Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
#9
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question on the total ram showing in XP
I rather doubt that you need to upgrade the Processor to use the RAM
that you have now. Windows XP only installs on 32-bit processors and *ALL* 32-bit processors can address 4GB of RAM. You may need to upgrade something but it won't be the processor. John Debbie Graham wrote: Thanks for the explanation. No there really isn't ant need right now for more RAM. I need to upgrade my processor to get the full range of the RAM I have now. So once I do that I probably will notice a little improvement Debbie In round numbers XP can only address 4GB. Your video card has XXXMB of ram on the card so that limits XP to 4GB minus the cards XXXMB of memory. In addition other hardware also takes away additional amounts of memory (usually a small when compared to the video card) and the remaining memory (address space) is available for Windows XP and your applications. So that 4th GB of ram you installed or will install is mostly not available to XP. A link to the white paper titled "Gaming Performance Analysis" by Corsair Memory Inc. provides a good clear explanation of how a video card effects the amount of available memory in your PC. See: http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN8...e_Analysis.pdf Intel Chipset 4 GB System Memory Support http://www.dcomputer.com/ProInfo/sup...1/4GB_Rev1.pdf Vista Users with SP1 now report how much physical memory installed on your computer: See: Windows Vista SP1 includes reporting of Installed System Memory (RAM): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946003 RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff: Basic information about the Virtual Memory implementation in 32 bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server etc. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223 As to adding another 1GB, do you have a specific need by that I mean a special application that would benefit? JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message .. . Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
#10
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question on the total ram showing in XP
Upgrading the processor will not do anything to increase the memory
address/max amount range of a 32bit processor, you are limited to the same theoretical max of 4GB. A processor upgrade may improve performance but there are some things that need to be verified before you do so. Also be aware that most users will not notice/perceive any performance increase that is less than 20% greater that what you currently have. JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Thanks for the explanation. No there really isn't ant need right now for more RAM. I need to upgrade my processor to get the full range of the RAM I have now. So once I do that I probably will notice a little improvement Debbie In round numbers XP can only address 4GB. Your video card has XXXMB of ram on the card so that limits XP to 4GB minus the cards XXXMB of memory. In addition other hardware also takes away additional amounts of memory (usually a small when compared to the video card) and the remaining memory (address space) is available for Windows XP and your applications. So that 4th GB of ram you installed or will install is mostly not available to XP. A link to the white paper titled "Gaming Performance Analysis" by Corsair Memory Inc. provides a good clear explanation of how a video card effects the amount of available memory in your PC. See: http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN8...e_Analysis.pdf Intel Chipset 4 GB System Memory Support http://www.dcomputer.com/ProInfo/sup...1/4GB_Rev1.pdf Vista Users with SP1 now report how much physical memory installed on your computer: See: Windows Vista SP1 includes reporting of Installed System Memory (RAM): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946003 RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff: Basic information about the Virtual Memory implementation in 32 bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server etc. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223 As to adding another 1GB, do you have a specific need by that I mean a special application that would benefit? JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
#11
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question on the total ram showing in XP
I mean the speed of the ram I already have. It's supposed to be 1066 (I
think) but the processor is only pushing the 800 something. I'm not fully using the Rams potential speed Debbie "JS" @ wrote in message ... Upgrading the processor will not do anything to increase the memory address/max amount range of a 32bit processor, you are limited to the same theoretical max of 4GB. A processor upgrade may improve performance but there are some things that need to be verified before you do so. Also be aware that most users will not notice/perceive any performance increase that is less than 20% greater that what you currently have. JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Thanks for the explanation. No there really isn't ant need right now for more RAM. I need to upgrade my processor to get the full range of the RAM I have now. So once I do that I probably will notice a little improvement Debbie In round numbers XP can only address 4GB. Your video card has XXXMB of ram on the card so that limits XP to 4GB minus the cards XXXMB of memory. In addition other hardware also takes away additional amounts of memory (usually a small when compared to the video card) and the remaining memory (address space) is available for Windows XP and your applications. So that 4th GB of ram you installed or will install is mostly not available to XP. A link to the white paper titled "Gaming Performance Analysis" by Corsair Memory Inc. provides a good clear explanation of how a video card effects the amount of available memory in your PC. See: http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN8...e_Analysis.pdf Intel Chipset 4 GB System Memory Support http://www.dcomputer.com/ProInfo/sup...1/4GB_Rev1.pdf Vista Users with SP1 now report how much physical memory installed on your computer: See: Windows Vista SP1 includes reporting of Installed System Memory (RAM): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946003 RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff: Basic information about the Virtual Memory implementation in 32 bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server etc. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223 As to adding another 1GB, do you have a specific need by that I mean a special application that would benefit? JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
#12
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question on the total ram showing in XP
Debbie Graham wrote:
I mean the speed of the ram I already have. It's supposed to be 1066 (I think) but the processor is only pushing the 800 something. I'm not fully using the Rams potential speed Debbie Can you give some details about the motherboard make and model, and your current processor ? Also, the quantity, make and model of the RAM. Just guessing at the context of the question, it sounds like you have an Athlon64 X2 system. DDR2-1066 operation is possible, if the motherboard supports AM2+ processors, the motherboard CPU support chart lists a number of Phenom processors, and then you install a Phenom. The Phenom will drive two installed sticks of RAM at DDR2-1066. If you install four sticks of RAM, the Phenom drops down to DDR2-800. So best performance is possible with two sticks. If you install an Athlon64 X2, whether installed in AM2 or AM2+ motherboard, it is limited to DDR2-800. It would run two or four sticks at DDR2-800. So a lot of conditions must be met, to run at DDR2-1066. Some motherboards are not comfortable running high end Phenom processors. The very worst Phenom draws 140W, which has been known to damage the Vcore regulator on some cheap motherboards. And that is why you must carefully check the CPUSupport chart, before installing a new processor. The hottest AMD desktop you can find... http://products.amd.com/en-us/Deskto...il.aspx?id=476 If this is an Intel system, that's a separate story... Paul |
#13
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question on the total ram showing in XP
Need more info.
Please provide Make and model of your PC or if a home built system the motherboard make and model and processor make and model. If you need help on identifying your PC's components Try Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html It does a good job of providing a wealth of information. JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... I mean the speed of the ram I already have. It's supposed to be 1066 (I think) but the processor is only pushing the 800 something. I'm not fully using the Rams potential speed Debbie "JS" @ wrote in message ... Upgrading the processor will not do anything to increase the memory address/max amount range of a 32bit processor, you are limited to the same theoretical max of 4GB. A processor upgrade may improve performance but there are some things that need to be verified before you do so. Also be aware that most users will not notice/perceive any performance increase that is less than 20% greater that what you currently have. JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Thanks for the explanation. No there really isn't ant need right now for more RAM. I need to upgrade my processor to get the full range of the RAM I have now. So once I do that I probably will notice a little improvement Debbie In round numbers XP can only address 4GB. Your video card has XXXMB of ram on the card so that limits XP to 4GB minus the cards XXXMB of memory. In addition other hardware also takes away additional amounts of memory (usually a small when compared to the video card) and the remaining memory (address space) is available for Windows XP and your applications. So that 4th GB of ram you installed or will install is mostly not available to XP. A link to the white paper titled "Gaming Performance Analysis" by Corsair Memory Inc. provides a good clear explanation of how a video card effects the amount of available memory in your PC. See: http://www.corsair.com/_appnotes/AN8...e_Analysis.pdf Intel Chipset 4 GB System Memory Support http://www.dcomputer.com/ProInfo/sup...1/4GB_Rev1.pdf Vista Users with SP1 now report how much physical memory installed on your computer: See: Windows Vista SP1 includes reporting of Installed System Memory (RAM): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946003 RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff: Basic information about the Virtual Memory implementation in 32 bit versions of Windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server etc. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555223 As to adding another 1GB, do you have a specific need by that I mean a special application that would benefit? JS http://www.pagestart.com "Debbie Graham" wrote in message ... Now I know that XP doesn't show if you have 4GB of ram but my question is, even though it doesn't show it does it still use the 4GB? If not then, since I have 2GB now I should only add another 1GB if I need it? Debbie |
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