Member Avatar for JwAlstrom

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Question:
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Can XP support 64 bit multi-core processors?
If so, Which versions?
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What is the max RAM memory XP can make use of?
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Is there RAM-Disk software redily available
For XP?
For Win-7?
Any Freeware?
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  • Latest Post Latest Post by JorgeM

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Short answer: yes — but use the x64 edition if you want true 64-bit support and lots of RAM.

Windows XP details (brief)
Windows XP comes in both 32-bit and a separate 64-bit release (Windows XP Professional x64 Edition). A 32-bit XP will run on a 64-bit CPU but remains a 32-bit OS (so it cannot run 64-bit applications or natively address >4 GB of physical RAM). The x64 edition is the one that gives full 64-bit/large-RAM support. (learn.microsoft.com)

Which versions support multi-core / how many CPUs

  • XP Home (32-bit) is limited to one physical processor (one socket).
  • XP Professional (32-bit) supports up to two physical processors (sockets).
  • XP Professional x64 Edition supports two physical processors and scales to many logical cores (practical limits are defined by the x64 kernel and lack of processor‑group support in XP-era kernels). See Microsoft guidance for the client SKU limits. (learn.microsoft.com)

Maximum RAM

  • 32‑bit XP editions: ~4 GB physical (practical usable often a bit under 4 GB).
  • Windows XP Professional x64 Edition: up to 128 GB physical RAM. (learn.microsoft.com)

RAM‑disk software (XP and Windows 7)
Good free options that work with XP/Win7-era systems: ImDisk (open-source, widely used), PassMark OSFMount (free; use the older 32‑bit/XP-compatible builds on very old OSes), plus other commercial/free tools (Dataram/StarWind/SoftPerfect historically). Pick ImDisk if you want a small, free, actively maintained toolkit that runs on XP and Windows 7; use OSFMount when you need an easy GUI and image-mounting features. Back up or auto-save RAM disks — RAM is volatile. (ltr-data.se)

Practical notes
As pointed out, XP has an x64 edition — also note that Windows XP reached end of extended support on April 8, 2014, so security and driver support are effectively finished; for new hardware or long-term use prefer a supported 64‑bit Windows (or Linux) and only use XP x64 for legacy/workstation tasks where you control risk. (learn.microsoft.com)

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Windows XP does have an x64 version and it supports 128 GB of RAM. Take a look at this link for memory limits on Windows OSs.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx#physical_memory_limits_windows_xp

You should consider a newer operating system. XP is out of support in 2013.

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