Question about RAM upgrades...

[Darkintellect]

XP is 3.5 gigs. Reason I didn't buy the four sets of chips was because when I buy a new computer, it will be a high end quad core with nvidia 9200+ but only 2 gigs of ram. This way I can just flop the two chips I bought for this computer into it.

[kedwyn]

Originally Posted by Peechka

Does windows XP even see anything greater than 2 gig anyways? Or is it 3 gig?

I forgot, but there is definitely a cap on what XP can see.

I know Vista fixes this dilemma, but I remeber it being an issue with XP

Only 64 bit versions of Vista fix this.

[Roarschach]

The ram you've chosen will work but you're spending way to much. If I read it correctly you can only use the 3200 or 4200 (400 Mhz or 533 Mhz) Ram modules. It' your motherboard (or the slowest Ram Module) that determines your ram speed. Unless you plan on upgrading your Mobo there's no sense buying the super speedy ram you have linked.

AS for the cats, cute.

[Exmortis]

Originally Posted by Peechka

Does windows XP even see anything greater than 2 gig anyways? Or is it 3 gig?

I forgot, but there is definitely a cap on what XP can see.

I know Vista fixes this dilemma, but I remeber it being an issue with XP

Windows XP is a 32bit OS and therefore can and will address all 4GB of memory. How ever its allocation is what confuses.

Windows XP with 4GB of memory allocates memory in the following way, and is why most people think it address less then 4GB.

2GB will be treserved for applications.
approx 1.5GB will be reserved for Kernal process and operation.
.5GB will be allocated for hardware address mapping.

Now this is dynanic so it can vary, but almost 99% 2GB will be reserved for applications. Teh hardware address map can change, though you woudl have to have a ton of hardware added to achieve this. But it does happen. High end sound cards will often steal more as they map sounds and variosu midi calls to memory.

Now this can be changed somewhat with the /3GB switch in the "boot.ini", adding this switch causes XP to allocate 3GB of application memory. But only programs complied to take advanatge of LARGE_MEMORY will utiliize this, and they are few and far between, I'd bet good money VG is not one of them.

XP Server enterprise can go to 32GB memory with the PAE optin with both hardware and software that support that standard, though there are even fewer apps that support this, and they are all enterprise applications. I do believe Oracle is one.

So is there an advantage to 4GB of memory? Not really, a sligth one but 2GB is the sweet spot. I have 4GB of memory, though mainly for Vista x64, when ever it is i switch, as currently XP is the better OS for gaming.

also before you switch make sure you have latest BIOS, also be it knownm often drivers will not install or corrupt on install. This is due to shoddy programming and not adhering to standards, mostly it will happen on non WHQL certified drivers.

I say a sligth improvement in VG, i can play longer before the memory leak causes my system to crash, difference is, becasue the Kernal never gets starved for process memory I do not the the tell tale slow downs ans graphic anomolies I was getting with 2GB warning me my system was nearing memory at 98% utilization. Now it just crashes hard to desktop, with out any warning signs. And happened after 5-6hrs not 3-4 hrs of play before the latest patch.

[dprundle]

You should be fine with this setup mate. Newegg is great with customer service even if it doesn't work.