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lso, if you go for 4GB RAM, make sure you pick a 64-bit version of Windows or you may find you can't actually use all 4GB, due to addressing limitations in the 32-bit version of Windows.
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32-bit windows has a 4GB physically adress, so usually 1/2GB or so is lost due to other components memory (Video card). So its questionable if most people will see a benifit even over 2GB which is what mosts applications in windows XP can adress at the most. Ram is cheap these days so theres nothing really wrong with going with 4GB and using a 32bit, just in preperation for a transition to 64.
However, I would strongly disagree with going with a 64bit OS unless one is prepared for it. It can mean abandoning any current software. Also drivers for 64 are still scarce, and or poorly coded. If you build a computer and plan to use 64bit one should design the computer for that purpose itself. Be prepared to abandon older programs, not reuse old hardware. If your not the experience can be a nightmare in it of itself. Even if one is using "common hardware".