What is the MAX ram can 32bit detect?

[davie23223]

First of all, I have a Centrino Duo(core duo), are they 32bit? Is Core duo 32bit and Core2duo 64bit?

Secondly, if my cpu/windowsXP is 32bit, what's the maximum amount of ram can it detect. I heard rumors about being 3GB or 3.5GB ram.

But i don't understand, at first my laptop says the maximum allowe dis 2GB, now with the new 2GB memory modules, it says it can now take 4GB(i probably need to download new bios for this)

But how can it take 4GB ram if my processor is only a 32bit?

Thanks in advance!

 

[munkyeetr]

There are 2 issues here:
1) How much RAM your mainboard can recognize (hardware).
2) How much RAM your Operating System can address (software).

Every mainboard has a maximum amount of RAM that it can handle. There is also a limitation on how much it can handle in each slot. To find out the max for your board you need to look in either the mainboard manual, or visit the manufacturer website and look for your boards specifications.

As far as he Operating System, if you run a 32-bit version of Windows, it will only address around 3-3.5GB RAM (varies system to system), so even though your mainboard may handle 4GB, the OS will not see it. It is a limitation of the Operating System.

Now, some people want to jump to a 64-bit version of Windows (which can address up to 128GB RAM), but often they are disappointed because of the driver and software issues that come with running 64-bit.

 

[StrangleHold]

XP 32bit can be anywhere from a little less than 3gbs to 3.5 gbs

• System ROM
• APIC(s)
• Integrated PCI devices, such as network connectors and SCSI controllers
• PCI cards
• Graphics card
• PCI Express cards (if applicable)

At start-up, the BIOS identifies the components that require address space. The BIOS dynamically calculates the amount of reserved address space required. The BIOS then subtracts the reserved address space from 4 GB to determine the amount of usable space.
If the total installed computer memory is less than the usable space, all installed computer memory is available for use only by the operating system.
If the total installed computer memory is equal to or greater than the usable address space, a small portion of installed memory is available for use by the operating system.