best memory config for xp

[domtrump]

My system is running XP on an Athalon 64 processor with a DFI mobo. It is
still running fine, but currently only has one gig of RAM. I want to upgrade
the RAM but I am not sure which configuration will best be managed by XP.
Here are my choices:

1. 2GB using 400mhz DDR (2 modules)
2. 3GB using 333mhz DDR (3 modules)

I'm assuming that 3GB beats 2GB regardless of speed, but I am not that
familiar with how XP manages memory. I know that Vista (32-bit) will run up
to 4GB but I'm not sure about XP.

Can anyone help me out? Thanks.

 

[Paul]

My system is running XP on an Athalon 64 processor with a DFI mobo. It is
still running fine, but currently only has one gig of RAM. I want to upgrade
the RAM but I am not sure which configuration will best be managed by XP.
Here are my choices:

1. 2GB using 400mhz DDR (2 modules)
2. 3GB using 333mhz DDR (3 modules)

I'm assuming that 3GB beats 2GB regardless of speed, but I am not that
familiar with how XP manages memory. I know that Vista (32-bit) will run up
to 4GB but I'm not sure about XP.

Can anyone help me out? Thanks.

A good configuration is one which:

1) Maintains good memory bandwidth.
2) Has enough memory for the program mix you use.
If you spend the whole day, with a program that uses 3GB of memory,
then you need 3GB. If, on the other hand, you're reading email
or web surfing, then 2.5GB of that memory would be "empty".

Based on my own usage pattern, I pick your #1 configuration.

If you provide more info on your usage patterns (i.e. Photoshop with 300MB
image files), plus details on the exact motherboard model number, that
would provide more fodder for an answer.

Looking at the Task Manager, and seeing what your "peak" usage
is during the day, will also provide some guidance.

For my usage, I have a 1GB machine, and I exceed that memory footprint
only once or twice a year. Looking at Task Manager (control-alt-delete),
when the machine was operating grindingly slow, told me why. There was
no reason to upgrade the memory, because my peak on a daily basis is
typically 800MB of 1024MB installed.

Paul