Wait or upgrade?

[Vreki]

Here is some info from MS on max mem size.
The tables didnt take kindly to being copied, but you can see the originals here

Physical Memory Limits: Windows XP

The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows XP.
Version Limit in 32-bit Windows Limit in 64-bit Windows
Windows XP 4 GB 128 GB
Windows XP Starter Edition 512 MB Not applicable

Physical Memory Limits: Windows Vista

The following table specifies the limits on physical memory for Windows Vista.
Version Limit in 32-bit Windows Limit in 64-bit Windows
Windows Vista Ultimate 4 GB 128 GB
Windows Vista Enterprise 4 GB 128 GB
Windows Vista Business 4 GB 128 GB
Windows Vista Home Premium 4 GB 16 GB
Windows Vista Home Basic 4 GB 8 GB
Windows Vista Starter 1 GB Not applicable

[=98=]

Here is a better version i made quickly.
<table border="1" cellpadding="10">

<tr bgcolor="silver">
<td><b>Operating System</b></td>
<td><b>32bit Limit</b></td>
<td><b>64bit Limit</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Windows XP</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Windows Vista Starter</td><td>1gb</td<td>N/A</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Basic</td><td>4gb</td><td>8gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Home Premium</td><td>4gb</td><td>16gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Business</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Enterprise</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Ultimate</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td></tr>
</table>

[JustMe0171]

Here is a better version i made quickly.
<table border="1" cellpadding="10">

<tr bgcolor="silver">
<td><b>Operating System</b></td>
<td><b>32bit Limit</b></td>
<td><b>64bit Limit</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Windows XP</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Windows Vista Starter</td><td>1gb</td<td>N/A</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Basic</td><td>4gb</td><td>8gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Home Premium</td><td>4gb</td><td>16gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Business</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Enterprise</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td></tr>
<td>Windows Vista Ultimate</td><td>4gb</td><td>128gb</td></tr>
</table>

im pretty sure like scinto said the 32 bit xp wont take 4 gig.
actually i thought any xp wouldnt but he said the 64bit would so im sure he knows what hes talkin about.

[=98=]

As far as 32-bit Vista is concerned, the world ends at 4,096 megabytes. That's it. It believes it's impossible to have any higher!

It would be possible for 32bit OS's to use 4gb or more but it would require hacks such as physical address extensions.

The rest of the memory that you can't see is actually allocated to system devices and hardware such as your graphics card, sound card etc.... also known as IRQ ranges.

This is where things seem silly. Hardware cannot possible use up 600mb of memory can it? Not really, it's just that this is the amount allocated. For some reason unknown to me, it seems that this memory allocation is not dynamic, and thus you lose a load!

Sorry!

[megawhompertoo]

well, if you really insist on dumping the equivalent of a semester in college on wicked crazy graphics, get 2 8800gt's or 2 3870's and run them in tandem.

cheapest ultra $589:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127288

cheapest 8800gt $269...x2 = $538

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122040

cheapest 3870 $220 ...x2 = $440

Both cards are better engineered, more efficient, and are single-slot solutions, rather than the ultra which nVidia made on the philosophy of cramming as many volts into an older tech process as possible, and then bolting on DX10. Running two cards will shine at higher resolutions, even compared to the ultra.

good luck.

[FingolfinKing]

I'll look into that. If I say, decided to wait until Phenom, would there be a new graphics generation out by this time? If so...any details?

Sorry to be inconvenient :P.