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CAN XP RUN 4GB RAM OR DO I NEED VISTA?


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#1
struggling artist

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Hello all you geeks out there... I'm hoping you can help me, this is my first post anywhere ever! I'm pretty clueless when it comes to technology so please be kind to me!

I'm about to buy a new desktop and will mainly be using it for design work with Photoshop - so quite large files, and possibly video editing in the future. I know I need a good amount of RAM memory but don't know how much. I'm considering a custom built pc from PCSpecialist (UK) and was going to stick with XP because I know it and also because I've been told there are problems with Vista. But apparently XP won't work with 4gb RAM, which is what I was going to go for. So, do I go for Vista and higher RAM or XP and less RAM? Also I've now found out that XP has a 64bit version which will take more RAM. Help! I don't know how to choose! Is XP 64bit readily available? Should I stick with XP and just go for 2gb RAM - will this be enough for my needs? Is Vista still a pain in the neck?

Your help with any or all of the issues I'm struggling with will be hugely appreciated!


Thanks,

struggling artist
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#2
hfcg

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Hello, and welcome to Geeks To Go.
Vista will not work well with more than 3 GB of RAM.
Vista uses more resources than XP so you may wish to stay with XP for your graphics editing.
Also, the amount of graphic resources that Vista uses would limit you with intense graphics programs.
Please do not think that I do not like Vista, I am happy with my home premium, But for your needs you should go with XP.
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#3
struggling artist

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Hello all you geeks out there... I'm hoping you can help me, this is my first post anywhere ever! I'm pretty clueless when it comes to technology so please be kind to me!

I'm about to buy a new desktop and will mainly be using it for design work with Photoshop - so quite large files, and possibly video editing in the future. I know I need a good amount of RAM memory but don't know how much. I'm considering a custom built pc from PCSpecialist (UK) and was going to stick with XP because I know it and also because I've been told there are problems with Vista. But apparently XP won't work with 4gb RAM, which is what I was going to go for. So, do I go for Vista and higher RAM or XP and less RAM? Also I've now found out that XP has a 64bit version which will take more RAM. Help! I don't know how to choose! Is XP 64bit readily available? Should I stick with XP and just go for 2gb RAM - will this be enough for my needs? Is Vista still a pain in the neck?

Your help with any or all of the issues I'm struggling with will be hugely appreciated!


Thanks,

struggling artist
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#4
diabillic

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Actually, Vista 32-bit WILL support up to 4GB of RAM. All versions of Vista 32-bit support up to 4GB. As far as the 64 bit goes, Home Basic supports up to 8, Premium is up to 16 and every version (Business, Ultimate, Enterprise) above Home supports up to 128GB

Physical Memory Limits: Windows Vista


EDIT: As far as graphical editing and video editing, your better off getting a Mac since they are more tailored for that.

Edited by Cilix, 05 February 2008 - 08:18 AM.

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#5
hfcg

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While Microsoft has made these claims, It is a known issue with Vista not working properly with more than 3 GB of ram.
Here is just one of many articles.
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#6
diabillic

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Yes, sometimes it causes a bit of an issue. If you want true 4GB support, you would be better off with x64 either way with Vista or XP.

But again, if you are looking for the graphical edge i would recommend a Mac most definitely.
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#7
struggling artist

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Thanks hfcq & cilix,

Unfortunately I can't afford a mac! I'm a bit confused still, It seems that if I want 4gb ram to be usable I need a 64 bit version of either system. But still not sure if XP 64bit is easily available and will work with that much ram? If I go for the XP what exactly do I need to ask for? Also, in your opinion, would 2gb ram be sufficient for my needs?

hfcq - could you tell me what you mean when you say that "that the amount of graphics resources vista uses would limit me" ?

thanks,
struggling artist
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#8
hfcg

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The areo feature of Vista is resource hungry.
I had 1 GB of RAM, and Vista took about 550 GB of that.
I upgraded to 2GB of RAM and now Vista takes 1.1 GB of RAM.
This is ok for me because I like the areo look.

Edited by hfcg, 05 February 2008 - 10:41 AM.

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#9
james_8970

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XP and vista has nothing to do with it. It has everything to do with the bit rate of the OS. If you have a 32bit OS you will be able to see ~3.2GB of RAM, if you have a 64bit operating system you will not be able to reach the limit. While you can have 4GB if either OS, not all the RAM will be usable in a 32bit OS.
James
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#10
diabillic

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You will need the 64 bit edition of either Vista or XP. There is a different disc to install the 64 bit OS and it will be cleared labeled on the disc. To be honest, I would go for the 4GB and the 64 bit if the configuration you are building out has the proper driver support for it. That would be something you have to ask the shop that is building it.

Here is a nice writeup I found from Adobe detailing some optimizations for CS3 on 64 bit if you choose to go that route:
http://kb.adobe.com/...n...8&sliceId=1
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#11
hfcg

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To be clear here.
In order to use a 64 bit operating system you must have a 64 bit processor and motherboard!
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#12
Ztruker

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Tossing my oar into the fray here ...

Make sure if you opt for a 64bit OS that the applications you want to use are supported. You may end up with a very expensive 32 bit OS on a 64 bit machine otherwise :)
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#13
stettybet0

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I don't think "bit rate" is the right terminology here, but other than that what James said is correct. Also, I would recommend Vista since most of the problems you may have heard about Vista probably have been resolved in the 1+ years that it has been available. And the upcoming SP1 should make things even better. :)
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#14
struggling artist

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Hi you guys,

this is all a bit of a steep learning curve for me - basically I'm an artist, technology is a foreign language to me! But you've been really helpful, I think I probably have enough info now to work out the best route, so let's hope I'll soon be producing great work on my new pc. :)

Thanks so much,

struggling artist
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#15
struggling artist

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Hi James & Stetybet0,

Being an artist technology is a foreign language to me, so can I ask a couple more questions?!

- I'm not sure what you mean when you say that with a 64bit system I "will not be able to reach the limit" ... do you mean that I will be able to use all the 4gb RAM and that there would be room for more?

- Also, can you tell me when SP1 is going to be available for Vista?

Thanks!

struggling artist
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