32 BIT or 64 BIT Windows XP/Vista, and can 32 BIT use more than 3GB RAM?

Discussion in 'Installation and Configuration of Parallels Desktop' started by Steelbom, May 6, 2009.

  1. Steelbom

    Steelbom Member

    Messages:
    92
    Hey, I'm wondering, can I install Windows XP or Vista 64 bit, I have 32 BIT edition for XP, just wondering..

    I think 32 bit can't use more than 3GB ram...?

    (I have a Mac Pro w/ Mac OSX)

    Kind Regards
    Me
     
  2. Specimen

    Specimen Product Expert

    Messages:
    3,242
    The adress space limit of 32bit is 4GB, the maximum memory space the OS can adress. Adress space includes not only RAM but other memory like graphics memory (the graphics card memory), so if your video memory is 512MB that will eat up 0.5 GB off the 4GB adress space limit, other devices also need to reserve certain amounts of adress space. What all this means is that, on 32bit OS the maximum RAM you can use is in fact about 3GB, but it can be more, depends very much on the graphics card on-board memory.

    More info here.
     
  3. Steelbom

    Steelbom Member

    Messages:
    92
    Thanks, can Parallels install 64-BIT OS?

    Kind Regards
    Me
     
  4. voobrajulia

    voobrajulia Member

    Messages:
    96

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