Enabling 4GB RAM in XP SP2

Wile E · Nov 29, 2009

Was_ser said:
Information for thinking:
http://www.geoffchappell.com/viewer.htm?doc=notes/windows/license/memory.htm

Follow link, and you will see that 32-bit win will work with even 8GB. Don't be frauded by M$, but keep in mind about WGA, and othe validation tools after .

I know, that thread old, but i want to post that technically x86 win will able to use all RAM

It may be able to see it, but it can't use it. It's a limitation of 32bit addressing, not an artificial limit. For the computer to address more in a 32bit OS or program, PAE needs to be used, which switches memory management to 64bit, in a sense. That incurs a loss of compute performance tho, so the benefits of more memory needs to outweigh the loss of computing power.

Zubasa · Nov 29, 2009

Wile E said:
It may be able to see it, but it can't use it. It's a limitation of 32bit addressing, not an artificial limit. For the computer to address more in a 32bit OS or program, PAE needs to be used, which switches memory management to 36bit, iirc. That incurs a loss of compute performance tho, so the benefits of more memory needs to outweigh the loss of computing power.

Exactly.
PAE allows the OS the adresss more memory, but whats the point if normal 32-bit applications cannot address the extra memory? :respect:

Completely Bonkers · Nov 29, 2009

Zubasa said:
PAE allows the OS the adresss more memory, but whats the point if normal 32-bit applications cannot address the extra memory?

1./ EACH 32-bit application gets it's 2GB/3GB memory allocation. Meaning that if you have more than 1 application running, there is a benefit. If you have only 1 application, then agreed, no benefit.

2./ RAMdisk. It can use the >4GB memory area

d3fct · Nov 30, 2009

well i have 8 gigs of g.skill i benched it on x86 and 64 bit xp and windows 7 x86 and 64 bit, can u guess wich os won?
surprisingly enough, xp pro sp2 won x86.

i benched prime, super pi, and 3dmark06 on each install ,fresh install on raid 0 each time.

so i wouldnt worry to much about what shows up as your memory in windows.

System Name	The ClusterF**k
Processor	980X @ 4Ghz
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 BIOS F12
Cooling	MCR-320, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), Koolance CPU-360
Memory	3x2GB Mushkin Redlines 1600Mhz 6-8-6-24 1T
Video Card(s)	Evga GTX 580
Storage	Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB, 2xSeagate 320GB RAID0; 2xSeagate 3TB; 2xSamsung 2TB; Samsung 1.5TB
Display(s)	HP LP2475w 24" 1920x1200 IPS
Case	Technofront Bench Station
Audio Device(s)	Auzentech X-Fi Forte into Onkyo SR606 and Polk TSi200's + RM6750
Power Supply	ENERMAX Galaxy EVO EGX1250EWT 1250W
Software	Win7 Ultimate N x64, OSX 10.8.4

Processor	Core i7-12700k
Motherboard	Z690 Aero G D4
Cooling	Custom loop water, 3x 420 Rad
Video Card(s)	RX 7900 XTX Phantom Gaming
Storage	Plextor M10P 2TB
Display(s)	InnoCN 27M2V
Case	Thermaltake Level 20 XT
Audio Device(s)	Soundblaster AE-5 Plus
Power Supply	FSP Aurum PT 1200W
Software	Windows 11 Pro 64-bit

Processor	Mysterious Engineering Prototype
Motherboard	Intel 865
Cooling	Custom block made in workshop
Memory	Corsair XMS 2GB
Video Card(s)	FireGL X3-256
Display(s)	1600x1200 SyncMaster x 2 = 3200x1200
Software	Windows 2003

System Name	no remorse
Processor	i7 2600k @ 4.7 ht on
Motherboard	gigabyte z68x-ud3p-b3
Cooling	xspc rasa cpu block, bitspower restop, mcp355
Memory	4 x 4gb corsair vengance 1600 8-8-8-24
Video Card(s)	570 gtx
Storage	2x32 gb patriot ssd's in raid 0 (os & games) / 2 x 500gb barracuda (storage)
Display(s)	25 inch 1080p widescreen i-inc
Case	cooler master haf x
Audio Device(s)	turtle beach earforce px21 headset (usb)
Power Supply	corsair HX850
Benchmark Scores	super pi 1m : 7.160 sec. 34,837 3dmark06

Enabling 4GB RAM in XP SP2

Wile E

Power User

Zubasa

Completely Bonkers

New Member

d3fct