Configuration of 3GB in XP Pro?

[TheGreatSatan]

If my board has 4 slots and I want to add 3GB of RAM do I populate them with

A. 2x 1GB and 2 X 512MB?

B. 2x 1GB and 1x 2GB leaving one slot empty?

C. 3x 1GB and leaving one slot empty?

D. 4x 1GB even though XP Pro won't see the 4th Module?

Will 4th Gig of RAM be seen in Linspire (Linux)?

[NightrainSrt4]

Linux should be able to address all 4Gb of ram. Linux has PAE default if I am not mistaken. You might have to change some settings or something, haven't done this as I don't use that much ram. PAE is still limited to 4Gb to each process if I recall, but overall you should be able to use 4Gb or more in most linux distro's even if it takes some work.

The 4Gb barrier isn't problem for all 32-bit systems. Windows is just plagued by it. Although your motherboard has to be able to address 4Gb or more, but that shouldn't be an issue on most systems. Just make sure you get a distro with PAE enabled, or compile the kernel with PAE enabled.

[TheGreatSatan]

Thanks. I've decided to go with a different board with just 2 slots that support a total of 4GB. +Rep

[Spawn-Inc]

i would just get 2x 2gb sticks and go with that, it will be better over all and better for ocing should you venture down that path.

[Skriger]

XP 32bit has a big fit with anything right at 4GB. I had a setup of 4x1GB and it only saw the 3. Then I tried 2X2GB and it only saw 1.5 of the total, which was odd. I recently switched to XP pro 64bit and now everything is good. I rather spend a few bucks to get an OS that is able to handle everything with no issues.

[xRyokenx]

I have 2x2GB DDR2 800 and it only sees about 3.5GB. It's not giving me any problems either, just can't OC anything for some reason.

EDIT: And I have XP Home.