My friend wanted to buy an XPS system, so he asked me to check the specs.

So the system had 3GB of ram, but no indication ANYWHERE I could see if the Vista OS was x86 or x64, which should be known before buying it, to know what is going to be compatible and what not. So I clicked the chat button to ask them. I was a bit surprised to find out that it was x86, and that is all dell offers, so while you can go out and get an HP system right now with 8 GB of ram and x64 vista, you can't get a dell like that.

However my discussion with the dell rep was quite odd...

Matt I am looking over an XPS system for a friend who wants to buy one, so they wanted me to check out the specs

Matt I could not find anywhere that Dell indicates if the Vista operating system is the x86 or x64 version, which actually does matter a pretty good deal. I am surprised Dell does not indicate this when customizing a system.

BE_Rep_Melinda Hi matt.

BE_Rep_Melinda Well all our system comes with 32 bit OS.
Matt with no option of x64?

BE_Rep_Melinda yes.

BE_Rep_Melinda We do not have any option for a 64 bit OS.

Matt So is the maximum amount of ram you offer in any system limited then to 3GB?

BE_Rep_Melinda The maximum memory all our system can handle is 4 Gb,


BE_Rep_Melinda However it is in binary code with 32 bit.

Matt Windows x86 versions can't allocate a full 4GB of ram though

BE_Rep_Melinda That is correct because it reads in binary code.

Matt the system can not use all 4GB of ram because it reads it in binary code?

BE_Rep_Melinda yes.

Matt so I guess then on the x64 based windows systems, it does not read the ram in binary code then? so that is why it can handle more ram?

BE_Rep_Melinda that is correct.

Matt so how does the x64 system read the ram then? does it use trinary code or something?

BE_Rep_Melinda It can allocate up to 16 Gb of memory.

Matt ok thanks, I think you answered all my questions

BE_Rep_Melinda You're welcome, Matt.

Matt thank you, I learned lots of new things about ram and binary code from you today.

BE_Rep_Melinda You're very much welcome. Is there anything else i can help you with?

Matt nope that was all, thanks