4GB RAM but XP shows 3.25GB

greatchap · Aug 20, 2009

Hello Everyone,

I purchased a new PC a month ago. It has the following spects -

-Windows XP Media Center Edition (SP3)
-Core 2 DUO 3GHZ
-Gigabyte EP435-UD3L motherboard
-4GB RAM (DDR2)(2 Sticks)
-1TB HDD
-Geforce GTX 275 graphics card
-Sound Blaster Audi 2
-coolermaster power supply
-so on...

Now when i goto windows xp and see properties of my computer or when i run dxdiag, then the system shows 3.25GB RAM. But why is it showing that? I have 4GB of RAM.

Is it okay or what can I do to rectify this ?

Thank You,

GR

Wrigleyvillain · Aug 20, 2009

This is a limitation of 32 bit operating systems, Google for more info. You need a 64 bit OS to see more than 3.25GB.

A Cheese Danish · Aug 20, 2009

Windows XP x86 (32-bit) only supports 3.25GB ram. Like Wrigley said, you will need a 64-bit OS to see the 4GB.

HookeyStreet · Aug 20, 2009

greatchap said:
Hello Everyone,

I purchased a new PC a month ago. It has the following spects -

-Windows XP Media Center Edition (SP3)
-Core 2 DUO 3GHZ
-Gigabyte EP435-UD3L motherboard
-4GB RAM (DDR2)(2 Sticks)
-1TB HDD
-Geforce GTX 275 graphics card
-Sound Blaster Audi 2
-coolermaster power supply
-so on...

Now when i goto windows xp and see properties of my computer or when i run dxdiag, then the system shows 3.25GB RAM. But why is it showing that? I have 4GB of RAM.

Is it okay or what can I do to rectify this ?

Thank You,

GR

Blimey, thats an 'old skool' question

But yeah, you need a 64Bit Operating System to get by the RAM limitation Im afraid

Wrigleyvillain · Aug 20, 2009

Good reason to try Windows 7 64 (as if you needed any more outside of the OS in and of itself)

Zubasa · Aug 20, 2009

There is no "fix" to this issue.
It is the limit of 32-bit OS, it simply cannot address that much memory.

As others mention, grab a 64-bit OS is the only way, and 64-bit is better.

Asylum · Aug 20, 2009

64 Bit FTW!!

TheLaughingMan · Aug 20, 2009

Also welcome to TPU

tonyd223 · Aug 20, 2009

we're gonna see this question a lot more I think...

Nailezs · Aug 20, 2009

see thread
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=91260
for more info

YinYang.ERROR · Aug 20, 2009

I have a question about this... Even though it shows up as 3.25gbs is the computer taking advantage of dual channel RAM? Or is it acting like single channel ram?

Because that would essentially make the difference between 4gbs and 2gbs. That would make 2gbs > 3.25gb if the 2gbs ran dual channel while the 3.25 only ran single channel.

timta2 · Aug 20, 2009

Download CPU-Z and look at the memory tab, it will tell you if it is running in single or dual channel.
As everyone else has stated it is a 32 bit OS limitation, it doesn't have anything to do with your memory running in single or dual channel mode.

YinYang.ERROR · Aug 20, 2009

timta2 said:
Download CPU-Z and look at the memory tab, it will tell you if it is running in single or dual channel.

I was asking, because I don't have 4gbs of ram. My laptop has 2gbs and I was thinking about upgrading to 4gbs. But I would rather not if it forced it into single channel.

JrRacinFan · Aug 20, 2009

Windows has no control of single vs dual channel. That's at bios level.

tonyd223 · Aug 20, 2009

YinYang.ERROR said:
I was asking, because I don't have 4gbs of ram. My laptop has 2gbs and I was thinking about upgrading to 4gbs. But I would rather not if it forced it into single channel.

You are probably running a 32bit OS? Your laptop will only have two memory slots, and probably will only accept a maximum of 4GB anyway...

Look it's really simple - memory is CHEAP at the moment - so upgrade to 4GB of ram and enjoy a slightly faster machine - but just understand this - to make your laptop faster the best thing you could do is put in an SSD at the cost of a netbook...

greatchap · Aug 20, 2009

hurray

Thanks a lot guys for your reply.

Well I better stick to 32bit. 64bit os might be a problem as several applications do not run on that. So then 3.25GB it is.

Kool... learnt something new. Cheers...

wicky · Sep 2, 2009

have the same problem in my new pc thanks god i found an answer here i thought that my ram or pc was spoilt

--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.assistantsinindia.com

eidairaman1 · Sep 2, 2009

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx

wolf · Sep 2, 2009

Ok to to be deadly honest I copied your exact title, Google'd it, and found the answer (not in a thread created by you) so give it a try, I've asked Google some far-fetched shit and it usually throws me a bone

Sucks about the ram limitation, and honestly my advice is if you want to go 64-bit, go straight for Windows 7, you wont look back

it's a GREAT os.

Welcome to TPU dude, you'll pick up a heap very quickly from browsing these forums

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4GB RAM but XP shows 3.25GB

greatchap

New Member

Wrigleyvillain

PTFO or GTFO

A Cheese Danish

HookeyStreet

Eat, sleep, game!

Wrigleyvillain

PTFO or GTFO

Zubasa

Asylum

TheLaughingMan

tonyd223

Nailezs

YinYang.ERROR

New Member

timta2

YinYang.ERROR

New Member

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...

tonyd223

greatchap

New Member

wicky

New Member

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

wolf

Performance Enthusiast

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