Number DIMM Slots and Max Mem Size confusion.

[kenr77]

How come some manufacturers rate all their MBs with 4 DIMM slots at 4GB MAX, while most others rate all MBs with 4 DIMM slots at 16GB MAX..?? Is this really the limit of the MB or is it the limit of 32 bit operating systems..??? It seems that all of MSI's MB are rated at 4GB MAX, even with 4 DIMM slots.

THX, kenr77

 

[4Ryan6]

How come some manufacturers rate all their MBs with 4 DIMM slots at 4GB MAX, while most others rate all MBs with 4 DIMM slots at 16GB MAX..?? Is this really the limit of the MB or is it the limit of 32 bit operating systems..??? It seems that all of MSI's MB are rated at 4GB MAX, even with 4 DIMM slots.

Normally a prefixed M/Bs max memory rating is all the M/Bs hardware is designed to support.

The MSI statement is in error I just saw an MSI M/B rated for 8gb, with a pretty descent onboard sound by the way.

 

[Mondoman]

It's normally chipset-based. The MB designers also list the maximum-sized DIMMs supported, so a 4-slot design that supports up to 2GB-sized DIMMs will have a max of 8GB, while a similar design that supports up to 4GB DIMMs will have a max of 16GB.