I was wondering if anyone out there knows exactly how much RAM does XP actually use? The reason is we are looking at buying new PCs for a large amount of people and were wondering if XP can use more then 512Mb. I understand that it supports up to like 4Gig, but it may not actually use it all. Thanks alot Roberta

Here's What You Need to Use Windows XP Professional * PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended * 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features) * 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space* * Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor * CD-ROM or DVD drive * Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device ---------------- It is the computer's motherboard that determines how much can be put in. ---------------- A computer with 512 is good.

Roberta The answer lies more to the nature of the work performed on the PC. A 'large number of computers' as an intended purchase indicates office work. If this is the case you'll have Win XP and Word / Excel XP [?] some email client, an antivirus application and thats about all the apps running at one time. Unless you have files that are HUGE [more than 4 Mbs], all these apps and windows will only take up around 256Mb. No paging going on yet if you use 256Mb of memory. Video processing, CD copying, DVD movie files are what need GBs of RAM [or PAGEFILE space]. I would suggest that your PCs will work fine with 256Mb and in case you are a little worried then go for an extra 256Mb for US$30.