Is it possible or effective to add more memory than the maximum recommended for a motherboard?

Is it possible? - Yes
Is it effective - Absolutely NOT!!! Once you exceed the maximum, you're into areas that aren't supported by the mobo/chipset - so you may end up being worse off than you would be with the maximum.

If you're bound and determined to go this route, I'd suggest researching BIOS tweaks/hacks to increase the allowable memory.

I am not even sure it's possible, or at least they won't be recognized or counted right

That's what I thought, it wouldn't be effective. Someone tried to tell me that setting the max ram is just a way to make people upgrade needlessly!!!!! I'm glad I didn't listen to that person!!!!!!

Just to add to this, if you are running 32bit Windows operating system that in itself will limit you to 3.5GB, it will not recognize the higher amounts. So if your motherboard will support 8GB or RAM it ain't gonna matter unless you go to a 64bit operating system.

most likely, your motherboard will go BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP and not turn on or POST when you have exceeded the RAM amount.

Wow! Thanks! Glad I asked BEFORE listening to bad advise!!!!!!