Quick question on RAM

guys --- since we've been talking a lot about new systems and Vista ... i've been looking into RAM and motherboards and how much they can hold.

i had thought I once read up to 8g ... but i have yet to find one that will hold upto 8g ... and most have 4 slots.

so, my question ... will most or all mother boards only handle 4 gig of RAM?

I think mine only has 3 slots, which i thought was odd.....

thanks,

Terese