Windows 7 and Windows XP Memory recommendations

[tacticsbaby]

Hello All,

I am currently using Windows XP and Windows 7 in Linked Clone pools. I have spent consideral time optimizing my base images, as recommended. I am using 2 GB of RAM for both OS's. My question is what is a realistic minimum amount of RAM to give to XP and to 7 for a typicle user who will be using Microsoft Office 2007 and IE version 8? Will Windows 7 work fine with 2 GB of RAM and XP with 1 GB of RAM? Thoughts?

[AGratefulDad]

Hi there,

We currently use the following for our desktop provisioning;

- Windows XP - 1GB RAM - Task Worker

- Windows XP - 2GB RAM - Power User

- Windows 7 32bit - 1248MB RAM - Task Worker

- Windows 7 32bit - 2GB RAM - Power User

- Windows 7 64bit - 1536MB RAM - Task Worker

- Windows 7 64bit - 2GB+ - Power User

VMWare VDI is very good at memory management and we have had great success in our environment using the above.

Hope that helps!

Cheers!

[mittim12]

We use 1GB of memory for Windows XP desktops and 2 GB for Windows 7 desktops. 

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

Using only basic Office feature, a virtual XP can work good also with 640-768MB and a virtual 7 can work also with only 1GB.

MSIE 8 does not require very much memory, but Flash or Java may need more.

Andre

[tacticsbaby]

So far we have rolled out a small number of  desktops. We have set default memory for XP to 2 GB and it runs fine. From what you guys are saying I can set Windows XP memory to 1 GB and still be ok for most users. Perhaps giving 2GB to power users? For Windows 7 it would be a good idea to go with 2 GB minimun. Has anyone looked closely at Windows 7 memory usage and when it may be good to add more memory? What are your experiences? Thanks for the info.