Anilrgowda

Question: Is there a limit on amount of RAM XP can handle? I know this sounds like overkill but I have client that wants 8 GB of RAM in their new XP PC....is there a limit of how much RAM XP can handle or support?

------------------

Anilrgowda

It's worth noting that WinXP, while the 32-bit version does indeed "support" 4GB, Windows splits the 4 GB of available memory address space into two separate 2 GB address spaces. One of the 2 GB address spaces is used by the Windows operating system, and the other 2 GB address space is used for user mode processes (applications).

However, there is a /3GB switch used in the BOOT.INI file. The /3GB switch changes the memory allocation so that Windows is only allocated 1 GB of address space, and user mode processes are allocated 3 GB of address space. Splitting the address space like this helps Windows to better manage high demand applications. However, Windows is configured to have a 2 GB address space for the operating system for a reason. If you use the /3GB switch, you can severely impact Windows ability to run multiple applications simultaneously.

Also, WinXP 64 supports 128GB of RAM...not that many people can afford such a system.

------------------