So why the cap at 8GB Virtual Memory?

[TheMaverick]

Running Vista Ultimate 64bit. Curious as to why the capped it at 8GB considering 64bit means you should be able to address what like 16 Terabytes?

I know windows server you can buy the different packages and that will give you options of up to I believe 64GB of RAM.

I'm just curious as to why there is a cap at all if it's capable of reaching 16 Terabytes of Ram. Obviously I've no intention of putting 16TB of ram in here just wondering.

XP lasted atleast 5-7 years I believe. So in 5-7 years I could see the need for 8GB of ram hell Bill Gates once upon a time was quoted 256KB of ram was more than anyone would ever need. Assuming it takes them another 5-7 years to give us another OS this seems a bit odd. Think it will be something they just release an update for... "Here download this patch, it's allow addressing of 16GB" ??

 

[badge]

Simple answer...the MB chipset wll support 8GB's, no more.

 

[TheMaverick]

Very cool, so MB's with 16GB support such as the new Gigabyte will be able to support 16GB or will it be limited from Vista?

 

[badge]

I believe so. But there are only 4 DIMM slots on the board and no 4GB DIMMS available.

 

[TheMaverick]

True, couldn't imagine needing 16GBs of ram anyways. However that day will come sooner than later.

Thank you for the info.

 

[dengamle]

In the title you say virtual memory. Do you mean virtual address space or physical? The virtual address space is something inside the cpu, not the chipset

The specs i've seen on microsoft.com says 8TB for user space,and 8TB for kernel space

 

[Anonissimus]

well if I remember right 64bit systems allow adressing of 16 exabytes of data, so the dimms and mobos will move along. Currently there is 128GB supported for servers... correct me if I'm mistaken

 

[dengamle]

physical memory support in vista 64-bit:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/64bit.mspx