How do I tell if I have a 32 or 64bit OS?

I have Windows XP Media Center. How do I know if I have a 32 or 64bit OS?

How much memory does a 32 bit and a 64 bit offer? For example, does a 32 bit os can only support 2GB of ram? I currently have 3GB of DDR2 sticks in and when I go to properties under my computer it shows 3GB. I was told that a 32 bit will only use 2 GB and if you have more it would actually run slower. Correct? And a 64 bit can olny use 4GB. Any thougts?

Thanks

You have 32.

The only 64 bit XP is XP Professional 64 aka Server 2003.

32 bit operating systems will use 3GB RAM.

64 bit will give you as much as the board can handle.

Some people into speed tests (benchmarking) actually will limit the RAM to get max results on certain tests but in general if you have it use it.

You probably will not notice a difference assuming all the sticks are the same brand and speed.

If your board supports Dual channel you might want to stick to 2 dual channel sticks or else use two pair. Although Windows will not use all 4GB there is no reason it cannot be in there thus enabling the full Dual channel capabilities of the board.

I have a HP Pavilion a1640n and my motherboard as 2 colors. One set blue and the other black. I was told that means I can run dual channels but, can only run either the blue or the black but, not both. Is this correct? To make sure if I can run dual channel is there a way to find out if my motherboard can support it?

Is dual channel more expansive the regular? What I have know is 2GB that came with the computer. I bought 2 more that were the same speed but just different manufactors. The other 2 is Kingston.

The colors indicate dual channels.

If you use two sticks they go blue/blue or black/black.

If you have four sticks then load the slots. I would keep each different brand in a pair i.e. Kingston in black/black.

Here are your specs:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...245028&lang=en

That board can handle 8GB of RAM but as noted your operating system will only use 3GB or slightly more. Perhaps 3.2GB.

In order to achieve this you will install 4GB (2 pairs) but only 3GB or 3.2GB will be used by Windows.

The motherboard supplies the dual channel. As long as the paired memory is exactly the same the pair will run as dual channel.

More about your computer:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...245028&lang=en

When I had 4 single stick of 1GB in each slot my system only recongized 3.5GB of the total 4GB I had in there. What I did was took the 2 stick of Kingston and put them in the black slots.

Now, dual paging memory is 1 stick with 2 sticks of memory attached to it correct? So, if use say, the blue slots and I put 2 sticks of dual paging memory so, in fact I would be using 4 total because of each stick having a pair of memory attached to it. Is this correct? Does Dual paging memory make my systme run faster or smoother? Btw, I appericate all you help.

Found this cpu on TigerDirect.com can u tell if this one will work in my computer?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=3241546

The memory "sticks" have no Dual channel attributes in and of themselves.

The Dual channel properties arise from the motherboard.

This is how Intel describes it:

"Does Dual paging memory make my system run faster or smoother?"

Yes.

You have a very nice motherboard in there. I am surprised at HP actually. 3.5GB is an excellent read.


As to the CPU: yes it is compatible:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...245028&lang=en

What do you have in there now?

Looking in system properties its showing me, Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz/1.87GHz. Does the mean I actually runing aroud 3.7Ghz?

It means you have 2 processors each running at 1.86GHz.

Both your current CPU and the one you are looking at are "Conroe" processors. See details here under "Conroe":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_2

Your current CPU is the low end of the spectrum. The one you are looking at is the high end.

Here is Intel's page:

http://www.intel.com/products/proces...2duo/index.htm

As far as GHz you are only running at 1.87GHz but you are running 2 processors. This design ends up being faster than conventional GHz marks. Of course the upgrade to the 6850 @ 3GHz is substantial but what you have now is far beyond conventional Pentium 4 1.87GHz.

Here are some comparison tools:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

In many cases the end task speed is nearly doubled but the GHz does not change.

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If you do decide to upgrade I would also upgrade your BIOS prior to the change:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...os=228&lang=en



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