Question about the memory limit in XP

[AmberClad]

I've read this somewhere and wanted to know if it's true -- that the 4GB memory limit in XP includes all types of memory, not just memory in the form of RAM sticks. So does that include the paging file and video RAM?

 

[MrChad]

In general, a 32-bit CPU can address 2^32 bytes (4 GB) of memory. It's not really a limitation of XP, it's a limitation of 32-bit architectures. There are workarounds (such as PAE), but if you need to use more memory you're better off using a 64-bit CPU and OS.

 

[pallejr]

It only concerns physical memory. The pagefile is not included, so this can grow way large

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
I've read this somewhere and wanted to know if it's true -- that the 4GB memory limit in XP includes all types of memory, not just memory in the form of RAM sticks. So does that include the paging file and video RAM?

Yes and no. Each process space can be up to 4gb, but that includes space for things like the kernel, mapping your video memory, etc. Now, your system may support 36bit, 42bit, or 64bit addressing which means the system can play some tricks and remap some of that peripheral memory elsewhere. The pagefile isn't included in that total.