220-802 · Question #399
Which of the following operating systems is capable of fully utilizing more than 4GB of system RAM?
The correct answer is C. Windows 7 64-bit. Only a 64-bit operating system can address more than 4GB of physical RAM due to its wider memory address space. 32-bit operating systems are architecturally limited to a 4GB address space.
Question
Which of the following operating systems is capable of fully utilizing more than 4GB of system RAM?
Options
- AWindows Vista Ultimate
- BWindows 7 32-bit
- CWindows 7 64-bit
- DWindows XP Professional
How the community answered
(30 responses)- B3% (1)
- C93% (28)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
Only a 64-bit operating system can address more than 4GB of physical RAM due to its wider memory address space. 32-bit operating systems are architecturally limited to a 4GB address space.
Windows Vista Ultimate in a 32-bit edition is limited to approximately 4GB of addressable memory just like all other 32-bit Windows versions.
Windows 7 32-bit uses a 32-bit address space, which limits usable RAM to roughly 3.2-4GB regardless of how much physical RAM is installed.
Windows 7 64-bit uses a 64-bit memory addressing model, allowing it to theoretically address up to 192GB of RAM depending on the edition. This removes the ~4GB ceiling imposed by 32-bit addressing and makes it the only choice listed capable of fully utilizing memory beyond 4GB.
Windows XP Professional is a 32-bit operating system and cannot address more than 4GB of RAM.
Concept tested: 32-bit vs 64-bit RAM addressing limitations
Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows-frequently-asked-questions-c6ca9541-8dce-4d48-0415-94a3faa2e851
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