what is the maximum memory capacity that a computer should have?

[locky]

What could be a good rate of memory

 

[Richard in AZ]

More than yours if you think this is enough information for an answer.

| What could be a good rate of memory

 

[Patrick Keenan]

What could be a good rate of memory

Sorry but the question as phrased isn't answerable. The desred maximum
capacity is related to the purpose of the computer.

In addition, "rate of memory" doesn't mean anything at all.

Only recently have non-server motherboards that can hold more than 2 or 4
gig of RAM become commonly available.

Note that 32-bit operating systems can't use memory beyond 4 gig, and in
addition, many 32-bit operating systems reserve a block of memory below the
4 gig mark for system use; so if you install 4 gig RAM on an 32-bit XP
system, your applications will have access to around 3.25 gig of it.

If you want a better answer, you'll have to ask a clear question.

HTH
-pk

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

What could be a good rate of memory

Memory doesn't come in "rates." It comes in sizes. And the question
shouldn't be about a "maximum," but about how much *you* need.

How much you should have depends on what operating system you run and
on what applications you run.

Here's my standard post on this subject for XP:

How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file, and that depends on
what apps you run. Most people running a typical range of business
applications find that somewhere around 256-384MB works well, others
need 512MB. Almost anyone will see poor performance with less than
256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things like editing large
photographic images, can see a performance boost by adding even more
than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.