win xp 32bit + 4gigs ram

dtiao7eb

dtiao7eb

Member
Hey all,

I know that 32 bit computers are limited to 3.5 gigs of ram. but there are such great deals for 4 gigs. if i install 4 gigs of ram will it slow down the computer at all? or will it just run normally. I'm building a new computer for our restaurant's server system. and the company software we use runs on windows xp 32 bit only. our current system is a dual core pentium processor and 1 gig of ram. They say it is enough but during our lunch/dinner rush hours the system lags like he|| so the owners want me to build a quad/hex core system that will run windows xp. I think quad core will be enough but they kind of want a hexcore lol

thanks for the help.

David
 
XP 32 bit will not use more than 2gb of ram, which is where XP runs the most efficiently. There is a big difference going from 1gb to 2gb of memory especially when running antivirus software. And if you are running a restaurant type system then I suspect adding more ram would help with the slowness. Also what is the exact processor you are running?
 
it is the e5400. there are 4 other server computers connecting to this one main server. all the data is being pulled from this unit so i feel like the 1gig currently installed is insufficient. the whole computer just seems like a Piece of S*** system. Also, i was considering using a SSD, but A: will windows xp work on the ssd? and B: i think the software will constantly be writing on the ssd and probably not the best solution. they currently are using a small harddrive (the ones you find in laptops) and is making this grinding sound when you turn on the computer T_T. That is another reason we want to build another computer as a back up incase this one goes down.

thanks again!
 
johnb35 said:
XP 32 bit will not use more than 2gb of ram, which is where XP runs the most efficiently. There is a big difference going from 1gb to 2gb of memory especially when running antivirus software. And if you are running a restaurant type system then I suspect adding more ram would help with the slowness. Also what is the exact processor you are running?
Click to expand...

The OS itself can address up to around 3.5GB (actual amount varys system to system). The virtual address space assigned to any application is limited to 2GB unless you are using the /3GB switch in your boot.ini.

Putting 4GB in wont slow it down at all, there will just be some RAM that isn't usable.
 
also would you recommend 2x1gb or 1 2gb? i was thinking dual channel would be "faster"? but not sure if xp will utilize it.
 
dtiao7eb said:
it is the e5400. there are 4 other server computers connecting to this one main server. all the data is being pulled from this unit so i feel like the 1gig currently installed is insufficient. the whole computer just seems like a Piece of S*** system. Also, i was considering using a SSD, but A: will windows xp work on the ssd? and B: i think the software will constantly be writing on the ssd and probably not the best solution. they currently are using a small harddrive (the ones you find in laptops) and is making this grinding sound when you turn on the computer T_T. That is another reason we want to build another computer as a back up incase this one goes down.

thanks again!
Click to expand...

If constant writing then I don't think an ssd would be the right choice. But yes, ssd's do work on XP. If the drive is making a grinding noise, thats definately not good.

Cromewell said:
The OS itself can address up to around 3.5GB (actual amount varys system to system). The virtual address space assigned to any application is limited to 2GB unless you are using the /3GB switch in your boot.ini.

Putting 4GB in wont slow it down at all, there will just be some RAM that isn't usable.
Click to expand...

Yeah, usually the limit is around 3.25 gb but most generally XP won't use more than 2gb of it for its applications.

dtiao7eb said:
also would you recommend 2x1gb or 1 2gb? i was thinking dual channel would be "faster"? but not sure if xp will utilize it.
Click to expand...

Always use 2 sticks, 2 x 1gb so you can utilize dual channel memory.
 
johnb35 said:
Yeah, usually the limit is around 3.25 gb but most generally XP won't use more than 2gb of it for its applications.
Click to expand...
If the applications request that much memory, they will get it. The lower 2 GB virtual address space is not shared among them.
 
Do not get a hexcore vs a quadcore. The difference on win 32 and most likely whatever program they are using won't benefit from a hexcore. Probably won't even do much going from a dual to a quad.
 
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