My point is if the OP wants to run a 32-bit OS with more than 4GB of RAM then the option is available. Its neither esoteric nor rare: machines with 32-bit OS and more than 4GB of RAM are common in enterprise environments.
I spent more than 25 yrs in enterprise IT. Never come across mods to win OS to support more ram. The link in the previous thread explains 4GB limitation and work arounds. Win enterprise and server can support more, but we're not talking about servers, are we? The simple solution is to install 64-bit OS if you need > 4GB ram. Most, not all trading software that i am aware of would not use > 4GB ram or use all 4 core to justify cost of highend hardware and OS. Buy them in a couple yrs for fraction of todays price. Quad core is mostly used for highend gaming type apps, 3D rendering, video editing etc. For trading most of the heavy computing is done on the server side not on the client. I hope this helps...
I guess you are not familar with computing. Are you familar with multi threading programming or Virtual Machine (VM), memory paging, multi stack processing? 64 bit processing is more for multi user and encryption, nice to have but not nesessary. Please do some more reseach you find dual core sufficient for trading. Save some money, spend it on something else like nice hi-res monitor(s). Buy 7i computer when prices drop and trading software can keep up. A matter of fact I have an old P3 in my guest room running xp pro. It's a little slow, it has 1gb Rambus ram, scsi HD at 10,000 rpm, runs tradestation, reuters, open office, alittle slow loading but once it's loaded it runs fine. It'll dual boot ubuntu linux, runs alittle faster. Hey If you made lots of profitable trades and what to spend $1500 on new i7 quad processor, knock yourself out or wait couple yrs and spend $500 for same. I'm just trying to help.
If the OP has a requirement for a 32-bit OS (because of compatibility issues) and needs more than 4GB of RAM then there is absolutely no reason not to consider running Windows Server. People need to get over their hang-ups about server vs desktop OS - the actual code differences (between Microsoft's desktop and server OS's) are minor. If the OP runs multiple applications is quite easy to want more than 4GB of RAM for the system without requiring 4GB of ram per application. The same is true for multiple cores - you don't have to have multithreaded apps to take advantage of multiples cores, just running multiple applications will yield an advantage. Don't forget the OS needs RAM and CPU as well.
Please do not give ill advice. Should check cpu/memory usage to determine for yourself. If memory/ CPU usage beyond 70% consistently, and your system is slow then upgrade. A nice refurb core 2 2.6 with 4 GB Ram at dell sells for around $300 bucks with a cad cam high-end graphics card. A decent quad core is around $1100 and more. I multitask many apps with multiple monitors. Multi threading came way before multi core processors, I used multi threading coding and manual paging before VM, it does not target core. You wouldn't want to but that is way beyond this discussion... Client (workstation) computing works in spurts and stops. No constant processing like an enterprise multi user server. The odd time you have multiple apps rendering on client simultaneously is rare. Save some money, take a vacation.
I don't doubt you know your stuff... but a C2D rig with "high end" CAD/CAM graphics card for $300? To which video card do you refer? (I recently sold a used high-end workstation card for $650.)
It is clear from your "advice" that a good portion of those 25 years in enterprise IT was spent working at the help desk. Wait until you are running consistently beyond 70% cpu/memory before upgrading for a trading system?!? Please stop embarrassing yourself, your advice is better suited for a college student on a budget, not someone who depends on their system to make money. A trading rig is not the place to cut corners to save a couple hundred bucks.
Lol Hey nobody is stopping you from over spending. I'm just trying to help. But you have no idea do you. Startup 5 apps then check your CPU usage, most likely you never done that. Most client side apps are passive, they are not processor intensive. If anyone listen to this guy will over spend. Sure it will work but so will a system at a fraction at the price. No need to cut corners, just spend wisely. You will not realize any performace differance. Obviously this person does not have systems experience. Save some money, buy a backup system. Take a vacation lol. Quad systems will be 1/2 price in 6 months. I already seen some i5 850 quads for around $800 bucks. 6 and 8 cores are aready out..