What is the maximum RAM i can go for while purchasing my new pc? What's the max for a laptop?
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M$3 Answers
Current desktop systems typically have 2 to 4 DDR2 or DDR3 RAM slots. These should accept at least 2GB sticks per slot. So a 2 slot motherboard (many inexpensive motherboards, both possible for consumers to purchase and included in many desktop systems from PC vendors like Dell, HP, etc.) would accept at least 4GB of RAM. Depending on the capabilities of the motherboard, it may accept 4GB sticks, for a maximum of 8GB on a 2 slot motherboard. A 4 slot motherboard would thus accept a theoretical maximum of 16GB. Note that many motherboards do not support the 4GB chips, so many 4 slot motherboards will support at most 8GB (4 slots x 2GB per slot).
Laptops are significantly more limited. The vast majority of laptops have only two slots for RAM, and support 2GB per slot, so a maximum of 4GB.
Those are the HARDWARE limits possible. Windows XP 32 bit edition, and any other 32bit operating system can only address 4GB of RAM at most (in fact you will have a bit less than that for some very technical reasons). So even if you installed 8GB or 16GB of RAM on a desktop, your operating system would not be able to address more than 4GB (the OS would not "see" the additional memory). Windows Vista, 64 bit versions of Linux, Mac OS X and similar are all capable of addressing as much RAM as you are ever likely to put into a system (they can be used to address 128GB of RAM in advanced servers for instance).
So it's a question that practically speaking depending on software and hardware. Not all hardware supports the maximum possible, and not all software will allow you to go beyond the possible limits.
Working in IT, having built scores of systems, teaching a PC construction and repair class.
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M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Trying to be helpful is usually a good thing, but only if you genuinely have knowledge about something should you try and assist. If you don't actually have an answer, bookmark it, or comment on the question somewhere so you can easily check back and learn from someone that does know :)
I was going to respond, but this answer has covered everything. There is frankly not much else to talk about without going in to great detail, just select "best answer" when you see this.