Buying RAM... how much should I get?

[Mendicant]

I'm looking at http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820141099 mainly. Dirty cheap.

My question is: Should I get 1 stick (for 3gb ram total) or 2 sticks (or 4gb ram total)?

I run XP and will not upgrade to vista any time soon and I heard that XP can only use so much? Will XP be able to use all 4gb if I get it?

[wowphreak]

Get 4 gigs of ram.

[Yamio]

XP will only recognize 3.5 gig so go ahead and buy the 4 gig.

[-silencer-]

XP will only recognize 3.5 gig so go ahead and buy the 4 gig.
64-bit XP will recognize 4GB. 32-bit XP (by far the more common version) will only recognize ~3.2-3.5GB.
Memory performance is best with paired sticks in dual-channel mode (2x 1GB or 2x 2GB with the same speed/latency, preferably the same brand/model).

Just get 2x 2GB sticks, especially if they're at a discount.

[Talamarr]

64-bit XP will recognize 4GB. 32-bit XP (by far the more common version) will only recognize ~3.2-3.5GB.
Memory performance is best with paired sticks in dual-channel mode (2x 1GB or 2x 2GB with the same speed/latency, preferably the same brand/model).

Just get 2x 2GB sticks, especially if they're at a discount.

I second (or third) this.