CPU and Ram question

[CoccoBill]

32bit Windows supports only up to 4GB of ram, minus any fixed allocations for your hardware device which typically leaves you with something like 2.9-3.5GB usable for windows. Get 4GB (preferably 8, its cheap anyway) ram, a 64bit OS (if you're reinstalling I'd just go with Win7) and you should be fine.

[Jack Sawyer]

32bit Windows supports only up to 4GB of ram, minus any fixed allocations for your hardware device which typically leaves you with something like 2.9-3.5GB usable for windows. Get 4GB (preferably 8, its cheap anyway) ram, a 64bit OS (if you're reinstalling I'd just go with Win7) and you should be fine.

Gold advice. There's no real reason to be running less than 4GB nowadays, since ram is currently dirt cheap. Or to not ditch Windows XP, since it cannot see all of your ram as you approach usable quantities.

BTW, 32 bit windows only "sees" under 3GB of ram, so the 2.9 figure is accurate. Anything above that and it's just an expensive heater.