XP and RAM

**AS45-70** · 04-10-2008, 06:54 PM

I always hear XP running 4gb of RAM is pointless, i just read this and i am confused:

Quote:

32-bit OSs (like XP Pro) support a total of 4gb of RAM. Windows XP Pro takes this and divides it into two, using 2GB for applications, and 2GB for the kernel. You can also change the boot.ini file, so windows uses 1GB for the kernel, and 3GB for applications.

anyone care to explain this so the moron inside me can understand it.

Burton560 · 04-10-2008, 07:53 PM

well I know 32-bit XP only recognizes like 3.5gb of ram, so you are losing .5GB if you have 4GB. now lets say you have a mobo with 4 ddr2 slots, each with dual channel modes. now correct me if I'm wrong, if you buy the right kind of memory with 1T timings, you will lose your 1T timings and have to go to 2T timings if you fill all those slots. so you might as well just be using the first dual channel ram slots with paired memory. the lesser amount of sticks you have, theres also less stress on the memory controller.

as for the thing you quoted, i have no clue

**WhiteBoy88** · 04-10-2008, 09:11 PM

Run -> msconfig -> BOOT.INI tab -> Advanced Options...

What you're doing is telling Windows how much memory it's allowed to use for Windows processes. Windows won't reserve the memory; it just won't use over that amount. For that reason, lowering the maxmem isn't always a good idea.
2GB is fine for most, especially if you're using over 3GB. I usually lower mine to 1GB on install. If (for some weird reason....) your Windows needs more than 1GB, try 1.5 or 2GB. Remember, though, other apps can use the memory until Windows needs it and takes priority. Even if you use memory-intensive apps, you don't need to lower it.