Increasing RAM from 256MB to 768MB... simple question.

[Vanna]

Hi all,

I have a HP Pavilion a210a, currently with 256MB memory.

I am buying an additional 512MB to be installed in a week.

May be a silly question, but should/will I notice significant improvement in pc speed etc or slight improvement.

I am talking about things like, opening up a folder on the desktop.
Opening simple programs.
general navigating around windows and it's folders, sometimes it takes a while to even open a folder. I find myself constantly refreshing my desktop.

Also, as far as movie editing, rendering, burning cd/dvd's, will/should I notice significant improvement?

Thanks in advance.

[yoda313]

Hi,

That should give you quite a boost. I'm currently using my preinstalled level of 512mb ram. I can pretty much do anything I want with no noticeable loss - of course within reason things like surfing, listening to mp3s and burning or ripping at the same time.

You're more than doubling your ram so you should see a dramatic boost for your multimedia applications. Windows won't be hogging all the memory as much now.

Enjoy

Kevin

[Vanna]

Thanks Jedi Knight!!!

Exactly what I wanted to hear, just needed to justify my cost.

Would like to hear other peoples opinions....

[CobraPilot]

Adding memory to a PC is nearly always cited by experts as the most cost-effective way to speed up a computer--up to a point.

Since you already have 512mb, you will likely only note some slight speed increase, if you notice any at all during most simple computer activities.

Once you have enought RAM to take care of just loading all the Windows programs, you need enough RAM to run the programs. I don't know how much RAM Windows needs, but let's say that once Windows is loaded, you have 256 mb of RAM left over (this is purely hypothetical). If, say, you use a word processing program that needs 128 mb (lots less than the 256 you have), it really wouldn't make any difference if you have 384 mb after Windows loads. You just have unused RAM available for use.

When you try to load more and more programs at the same time, at some point you will run out of PHYSICAL memory (RAM) to load the next one and the computer will begin to swap programs in and out of VIRTUAL memory (hard drive space). This swapping process is incredibly slow compared to RAM usage by a factor of hundreds, maybe thousands of times slower.

If memory serves, there are some versions of Windows where going over 512 mb (I think) may actually slow down the system, but I seem to remember that may have been one of the Windows 9x versions.

Recommendation: Go to www.pcworld.com and search on "RAM size" or something like that. PC World often has excellent, quick-read articles on almost any PC subject you can imagine. I've subscribed to the printed version for years: Wouldn't do without it because it has saved me a ton of money over the years.

[Vanna]

Thanks for your advice.

Maybe you mis-read, I currently have 256MB and adding an additional 512MB totalling 768MB.

Thanks again.

[CobraPilot]

Ooops! I misread your original post as your already having 512 mb and expanding beyond that, for which my comments would have been more appropriate.

Going from 256 to 512 mb you should notice quite a bit of speed increase since you will lots of additional RAM beyond what Windows needs. You ALWAYS want to avoid the virtual RAM/swap-to-HD process. So, if you see your HD "churning" lots while you're running software (especially several at one time), you're "memory poor," and need to add more.

I have an AMD 1.8 ghz and just doubled its memory from 512mb to 1 gig. So far, I have not noticed an obvious speed increase, but since RAM is still fairly chip (and I found a local "deal"), it seemed like a good "insurance policy" against EVER having to suffer through virtual RAM slowdowns.

Do check out PC World's website, though. Lots of good information there.

[erdons]

CobraPilot your 0 for 2 now.

[pfh]

You buying one stick or two? Different density mem chips, although usually work together, can sometimes give you the occassional random mem error. Should try to match densities as well as speed.

[VenGeanCe]

well guys if he's got his 256 mb stick running at say 300mhz and 512mb stick which he buys at 400mhz and if he connects em 2gether won't that be a bottleneck?

[waheed]

Yes, bottleneck is determined by the slowest speed, hence in his case 300mhz.

[VenGeanCe]

well waheed then he shud opt for sticks of same brand and speed rite?btw what's this thing like timing 2.5-3-3-7 mean?

[Abbadon]

Hi,

I upgraded my computer's ram to 1 Gigabyte 400 Mhz DDR and the only positive thing I have noticed is that when Playing Unreal Tournament 2004 it loads twice faster, I even have to wait fo other players when connected to remote servers.

[Vanna]

Guys, just to help you out from the original post.

My pc is a HP Pavilion a210a

256MB
333MHz DDR SDRAM memory

What would be best, I am getting a little confused by the previous few posts.

[redwudz]

Not that complicated. I would use DDR400 PC3200 memory. It will likely run at DDR333 speed with your existing memory in place, but if you upgrade your MB or it's capable of DDR400 speed, you are ready. The cost is mostly the same, but you have more options. If your MB will handle DDR400 speed, then replace all your memory with that speed for more gain if you want. You really can't loose.

No matter what, XP is crippled with 256MB, IMO. 512MB is a good memory size. More than that the gain is less, depending on the programs you use.

[VERVE]

cant really add on redwudz's comment, but just to tell u how things look here:

I had 512 x2 DDR333

I thru in another 512 x 2 DDR400..for a total of 2 GIG.

I have been told that all will run at 333, but it doesnt seem to be an issue, no bottlenecks, no crashes.

what I can do now:

Windows Media player is on, browsing multiple sites, Morpheus ( file sharing). photoshop AND illustrator are on. all working, and life cant get any simpler