switching to XP, question about RAM

So i currently run Vista 32-bit on my laptop, but am pretty much done trying to tinker with it. Thus, I am goin to switch to XP PRO. But I was going to increase my RAM to 4 gigs before I decided to switch. Will XP support 4 gigs of RAM? or should I just stick to 2 gigs (which I have right now)?

 

stay with 2x1 or you could get a 1 and a 2... but you will lose the dual channel (but its like 1% speed lost)

XP 32 wont see 4gig
XP 64 is hell

 

So, if you're going to install XP Pro, it will recognize your RAM up to 3.xx(I forget) because of its 32bit limitation. Switch to XP Pro 64bit and your RAM will be used entirely.

 

32 bit Windows will not support 4GB of memory.


64-bit Windows has very iffy driver support.

 

wait... why is XP Pro 64 edition hell??? i figured id get that...
and while I know vista likes as much RAM as possible, should 3 gigs do the trick for XP?

 

Ignore XP 64-bit. Finding the right drivers is a pain. Do yourself a favor and go with XP 32-bit w/ 3GB RAM; any higher and the system won't recognize it.

Check this out: http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_x64_preview2.asp

 

thanks 4 the article, i didn't realize people were having problems with that. I guess I'll go with 3 gigs then.

 

Chances are you'll never utilize 4gb of ram even if your OS recognizes it. No current games will use 4gb nor any office applications. Even if you multi-task like crazy and deal with multiple huge files of 100+mb (like me), you won't even use 3gb.
My suggestion would be the same as the previous posts. Stick with 32bit XP.

 

that too is a great point. but 2 gigs these days is just sooo inexpensive and whenever i do want to switch back 2 vista (maybe a year down the road) or switch to 64-bit vista, I want to know i have the juice to do so. haha

 

oh and emporiumboutique, how does your C90S run with XP??? I've heard alot of people who's lower-spec systems have performed well compared to my system on vista. I've had so much trouble with freeze ups and BSOD's and now i hear windows SP3 will mke XP another 10% faster than SP2.

 

Well, in a years time, 2gb of ram would be even cheaper than now!

XP runs perfect on my C90S. I've never had a BSOD, ram or battery issues (thank god!). You just have to make sure you have the correct/compatible ram, power supply (120w vs 90w depending on mobo version), and proper cooling (ie use AS5 and a cooling pad).