Vista Workshop: More RAM, More Speed

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Supported Memory Size - Server Operating Systems

The server operating systems built around NT technology have supported memory sizes greater than 4 GB for years now, using a feature called Physical Address Extension (PAE). The compatibility issues that have plagued Windows XP do not exist in the server arena, as the variety of devices and drivers used here is much smaller. Also, the manufacturers are much more conscientious about validating their drivers than is the case in the desktop space.

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Memory Limit
Windows Server 200832 bit64 bit
Datacenter64 GB2 TB
Enterprise64 GB2 TB
Standard4 GB32 GB
Web Server4 GB32 GB

After its initial launch, Windows Server 2003 was extended and offered as version R2. Additionally, Service Pack 2 is available for the original version, which also increases the amount of supported memory. Thus these versions of the server OS are listed twice in the table below.

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Memory Limit
Windows Server 200332 bit64 bit
Datacenter SP2128 GB2 TB
Enterprise SP264 GB2 TB
Standard SP14 GB32 GB
Datacenter R2128 GB1 TB
Enterprise R264 GB1 TB
Standard R24 GB32 GB
Web Edition4 GB-
Small Business Edition4 GB128 GB
Daniel Schuhmann
23 Comments Comment from the forums
  • anonymous x
    Crazy
    Nice article!
    Reply
  • trifler
    We need to see benchmarks comparing Vista with 2MB, 4MB, and 8MB. I can't tell my boss that the new high-end computers should have 8MB without some numbers.
    Reply
  • I think meant GB not MB there Trifler... 8MB of ram is not very much... and a "high-end computer" should have at least 2GB of RAM for a 32-bit system, and is OS dependant for 64-bit systems... vista depends on the ver you use as to how much ram is max.
    I have 1 GB of RAM and am using 80% after a normal boot (plus a few non-essential apps... but they make doing things easier
    Reply
  • SkyPRZ
    There is a "test setup" but not followed by any test but directly by the conclusion.
    Did I miss something?
    Nevertheless I've already built a system with Vista 64 & 8GB ram few weeks ago and wanted the test to comfort decisions I made.
    Reply
  • trifler
    Bleh I meant GB not MB in my earlier comment...
    Reply
  • master9716
    with 2 gigs of ram my 64bit runs ultra fast compared to 32bit , I have 3 hdds quad 6600. it should be the otherway around though . On my laptop with 1.5 gigs vista basic runs prety bad I will reinstall see what happens . We need to see some load time benchmarks !!! eventhough this is an old article
    Reply
  • Darthb0b0
    on page 7, how are you changing the amount of ram a particular app is using? is this only applicable to 64-bit windows, or could you also change this with 32-bit?
    Reply
  • Darthb0b0
    One other thing. on page 5 you say that w/4gb of ram it has no benefit to go to 64 bit due to the larger memory foot print required - essentially eating up the extra memory. The extra system memory used is 757 - 549 = 208. Yet the extra addressable memory gained is 4096 - 3581 = 515. The difference is still a net gain of 307mb of ram. Or am I missing something?

    Also, is the reason that only 3.5GB is available in the 32-bit environment due to the 512mb video card and MMIO? If so, what will happen in a 32 or 64 bit system if you have a video setup with 2gb of video ram? Will you only have 2GB of main memory available?
    Reply
  • Darthb0b0
    One answer found:

    Significant chunks of address space below 4GB (the highest address accessible via 32-bit) get reserved for use by system hardware:

    • BIOS – including ACPI and legacy video support

    • PCI bus including bridges etc.

    • PCI Express support will reserve at least 256MB, up to 768MB depending on graphics card installed memory

    Reply
  • Darthb0b0
    Reply