Memory compatibility with XP Pro 32+ Vista 64

[habs2009]

I'm planning on having my system do a Dual boot OS with Xp Pro 32 bit for my older programs and also running Vista 64 bit because i want more RAM for my game and other resource hungry programs. Now I know XP 32bit can only see in a 4GB system around 3.25GB. I want to know if I were to install lets for curiosity sake 8GB since RAM is very cheap at this moment will XP still run smoothly and only detect the 3.25GB of RAM without the rest of the 8gb causing it to go unstable?

Thanks

 

[Scotteq]

Provided the hardware is otherwise stable, XP will use what it can and ignore the rest. So the answer to your question is "Correct".