Question about maximum memory restrictions on motherboard and accessible memory amounts
I have a system with an Intel motherboard - D865GBF. It is a Pentium 4 based board that I've been using for awhile (at least over a year, maybe longer). I have 1GB of RAM in it currently (2 x 512). I would like to add more memory to it. I am going to remove the memory that is in the system now and use it in another system of mine. I would like to add, at minimum, 2GB (2 x 1GB) (DDR400). I was considering, though, adding the maximum for this board which is 4GB total (there are 4 slots, so 1GB per slot). What has confused me, is in the manual for my board is the following paragraph:
"NOTE
System resources (such as PCI and AGP) require physical memory address locations that reduce
available memory addresses above 3 GB. This may result in less than 4 GB of memory being
available to the operating system and applications."
I just don't get it. Does this mean that if I added 4GB of ram, that I could never really use more than 3GB? I'm confused. Why would they say the board supports up to 4GB, if you really can only use 3GB? It doesn't make sense, so I think I'm not understanding this quite. I'm hoping someone here understands this better than I and can explain what exactly this means.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help.
"NOTE
System resources (such as PCI and AGP) require physical memory address locations that reduce
available memory addresses above 3 GB. This may result in less than 4 GB of memory being
available to the operating system and applications."
I just don't get it. Does this mean that if I added 4GB of ram, that I could never really use more than 3GB? I'm confused. Why would they say the board supports up to 4GB, if you really can only use 3GB? It doesn't make sense, so I think I'm not understanding this quite. I'm hoping someone here understands this better than I and can explain what exactly this means.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help.
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1. Correct. If you plan to run WinXP64 or Vista in the future, though, you may want the extra memory.
2. Yes, you can access the full 4GB with a 64-bit OS. The device addresses will be relocated to a different space.
3. WinXP64, Linux, Vista (in the future), server-class OS'es.
4. As long as there are 64-bit drivers provided for your motherboard, you can use them.
2. Yes, you can access the full 4GB with a 64-bit OS. The device addresses will be relocated to a different space.
3. WinXP64, Linux, Vista (in the future), server-class OS'es.
4. As long as there are 64-bit drivers provided for your motherboard, you can use them.
ASKER
Outstanding! You've been extremely helpful!!
ASKER
1. So, given my current os (Windows XP Professional) and motherboard, really the most (usable) memory I could put in this system would be 3GB total (2 x 1GB and 2 x 512MB), correct? Adding an extra 1GB would be totally a waste of money, as it would not be accessible anyway, is this right?
2. If I kept all my current hardware, and switched to using a 64-bit os, would I then be able to install the full 4GB of ram, or is this still limited by my motherboard in some way (motherboard max says it will accept 4gb max)?
3. What 64-bit oses are there?
4. To use a 64-bit os, do I really need to also have a different motherboard, processory, etc? Or does it not matter?
Thank you again!!