Memory limits for VMware products

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Memory limits for VMware products

ESXi/ESX

ESXi/ESX virtual machines Hardware version Memory limit
5.1 9 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 1011 GB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest. The guest accounts for space obscured by PCI devices.
5.0 8 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 1011 GB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest. The guest accounts for space obscured by PCI devices.
4.x 7 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 255 GB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest. The guest accounts for space obscured by PCI devices.
3.5 4 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 65532 MB
3.x 4 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 16384 MB
2.x 3 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 3600 MB

Workstation

Workstation virtual machines Hardware version Memory limit
11.x 11 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
10.x 10 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
9.x 9 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
8.x 8 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
7.x 7 32 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
6.5 7 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest.
6.x 6 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
5.x 3 and 4 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 3600 MB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest.
4.x 3 and 4 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 3600 MB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest

Fusion

Fusion virtual machines Hardware version Memory limit
7.x 11 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
6.x 10 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
5.x 9 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
4.x 8 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
3.x 7 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
2.x 7 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
1.x 4 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB

Player

Player virtual machines Hardware version Memory limit
7.x 11 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
6.x 10 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
5.x 9 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
4.x 8 64 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
3.x 7 32 GB for systems with 64-bit host operating systems
8 GB for systems with 32-bit host operating systems
2.5 7 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest.
2.x 6 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 8 GB
1.x 3 and 4 32-bit and 64-bit virtual machines: 3600 MB
All specified memory is accessible to the guest.

The PC architecture reserves a portion of the address space that is below 4 GB for PCI devices. This space cannot be used for system memory. Also note that this is one of the main reasons for guests not recognizing all allocated physical memory.

Note: The information provided in this link is provided as-is and VMware does not guarantee the accuracy or applicability of this information.

This table lists the address space size available for system memory under 4 GB for each hardware version:

Hardware version Reserved memory Supported memory
11 1024 MB 3 GB (3072 MB)
10 1024 MB 3 GB (3072 MB)
9 1024 MB 3 GB (3072 MB)
8 1024 MB 3 GB (3072 MB)
7 1024 MB 3 GB (3072 MB)
6 512 MB 3.5 GB (3584 MB)
4 256 MB 3.75 GB (3840 MB)
3 496 MB* 3.52 GB (3600 MB)

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