XP ram limit

freebooter · 7 Nov 2011 at 22:39

I am feeling a bit stupid at the moment. My current pc is getting old and I decided to do a bit of an upgrade and ordered an mb + cpu + 4GB ram. I had planned to install my copy of XP pro on it but have now remembered that XP can't use 4GB.

Is this correct? Is there any way around it?

RJC · 7 Nov 2011 at 22:40

Is your version 32bit, then I don't think there is any way around it part from using 64bit operating system.

freebooter · 7 Nov 2011 at 22:44

32bit

loltim · 8 Nov 2011 at 00:51

it will work fine with 4gb, but windows will only be able to utilise 3.5gb.

Mattus · 8 Nov 2011 at 01:05

Time for an upgrade to Win7 64bit! You're really not making the most of your new hardware if you're still running XP on it.

bledd · 8 Nov 2011 at 08:20

Mattus said:
Time for an upgrade to Win7 64bit! You're really not making the most of your new hardware if you're still running XP on it.

This

Windows 7 is so slick now

True_Scotsman · 8 Nov 2011 at 08:28

XP 32bit can only see around 3.5GB of the 4GB you have, as said above, why not get Windows7 64bit? It is much better then XP (my opinion) and will make the most of your new Hardware.

3dcandy · 8 Nov 2011 at 08:44

+1. go Win 7 x64 and wonder why you waited for so long...

linktoinsanity · 8 Nov 2011 at 09:14

freebooter said:
I am feeling a bit stupid at the moment. My current pc is getting old and I decided to do a bit of an upgrade and ordered an mb + cpu + 4GB ram. I had planned to install my copy of XP pro on it but have now remembered that XP can't use 4GB.

Is this correct? Is there any way around it?

It'll work, just won't see all of it. Most XP (32 bit) PCs see between 3-3.5GB of 4GB, any over that will not make a difference, it will stay at around 3GB.

To get the most out of your memory I am with those on here who say upgrade to Windows 7 x64. Don't bother with the 32 bit version, go 64 bit and don't look back.

freebooter · 8 Nov 2011 at 20:06

Thanks for the replies. The reason I haven't updated to Win7 is that it costs money

Tbh I use Linux nearly all the time. Windows is only there for the odd program that isn't available in Linux or is better in Windows eg my scanner works in Linux but scanning film or slides is much better through the windows app.

My old pc really did everything I need but I just started thinking that but buying the bottom of the current market I could get a significant upgrade for little money. Hence I wasn't planning on having to spend money on a new copy of windows as well.

I will try XP and see how it is. If it gives 3-3.5GB and works fine that will probably be ok.