Memory upgrading.

[pyrate83]

Hi everyone...I was wondering if anyone thinks that this is a good move. I currently have 512MB of DDR PC2100 RAM and two DIMM slots. I think one is empty and I was thinking about putting a 512MB stick in the slot. Is it crucial that I stick with the PC2100 RAM and is 512 too much? Also, will I notice any real difference in speed since the memory I currently have is from HP(factory)and I also don't want any compatibility issues? What are your opinions??? Is Kingston a good brand or what??

[galactica]

Hi everyone...I was wondering if anyone thinks that this is a good move. I currently have 512MB of DDR PC2100 RAM and two DIMM slots. I think one is empty and I was thinking about putting a 512MB stick in the slot. Is it crucial that I stick with the PC2100 RAM and is 512 too much? Also, will I notice any real difference in speed since the memory I currently have is from HP(factory)and I also don't want any compatibility issues? What are your opinions??? Is Kingston a good brand or what??

This is from my experience which is based on my mahine (dual 1.25 G4 Macintosh) I have DDR333 memory, but essentially what I want to say is that you should notice a system preformance boost by adding more memory.

Kingston is good, and thats what i have for my additional memory post my factory installed memory.

Not sure if its the same for you, but i can only go to a max for memory. So maxing it out just means i cant enhance my system preformance any more by adding more memory

why is it that your so wanting to boost your preformance? are you having problems???

[bugster]

Going from 512Mb to 1Gig may be a waste of money or a worthwhile investment. It really depends on waht software you frequently use. Before splashing out I suggest you use the WinXP task manager, (right click om the taskbar) and take a look at your computers memory useage during your typical work or play. If it does not show that it is frequently close to or above 512Mb (look at the max figure), the adding more memory will be of little benefit. If it frequently goes over the 512Mb mark, or even comes close (say 450) a lot of the time, then the extra memory will improve performance.

[pyrate83]

bugster Posted: Jul 03, 2003 13:42

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Going from 512Mb to 1Gig may be a waste of money or a worthwhile investment. It really depends on waht software you frequently use. Before splashing out I suggest you use the WinXP task manager, (right click om the taskbar) and take a look at your computers memory useage during your typical work or play. If it does not show that it is frequently close to or above 512Mb (look at the max figure), the adding more memory will be of little benefit. If it frequently goes over the 512Mb mark, or even comes close (say 450) a lot of the time, then the extra memory will improve performance.


Basically, I'm not having any performance problems since I already have a fast PC and I have my processes managed very well and there is always plenty of memory for me to work with. I just didn't know if it would help gameplay b/c that is really the only thing I would want to improve. Mainly the only game that really challenges my computer is SimCity4. There is sooo much detail that zooming in or out gets slower as my city gets bigger and there is more graphical detail....love the game though. But for GTA:Vice City I have no problems whatsoever. Now...do you think it sounds like I should go to 1GB or should I spend my money elsewhere???

[bugster]

I have never played SimCity4 SO I have no idea how much memory it uses. As I suggested, start the XP task manager and minimise it before playing. After a game, esp one that has got slow, check the Max memory use figure. If its above 512mb, then the meory upgrade may well help.

[pyrate83]

Bugster...is that the peak commit charge???

[Solarjetman]

Bugster...is that the peak commit charge???

Committed memory is space on your hard drive. Ignore that. Look only at Physical memory when trying to find out if you need to upgrade RAM.

[pyrate83]

bugster Posted: Jul 03, 2003 13:54

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I have never played SimCity4 SO I have no idea how much memory it uses. As I suggested, start the XP task manager and minimise it before playing. After a game, esp one that has got slow, check the Max memory use figure. If its above 512mb, then the meory upgrade may well help.



So I should go into the game with task manager open and see where my physical memory stands while the game is running???? Is that right??

[freak_in_cage_10k]

yeah, run the game, then press ctrl, alt & delete once to bring up while the game is playing. I seriously doubt it will need more than 512 though m8! it aint worth the money!

if you have some money to spend you are much better off selling your current RAm and buying some DDR 333 stuff- that will be worth it! dont get the ddr 400 unless u r going to overclock

[pyrate83]

freak_in_cage_10k Posted: Jul 03, 2003 18:09

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yeah, run the game, then press ctrl, alt & delete once to bring up while the game is playing. I seriously doubt it will need more than 512 though m8! it aint worth the money!

if you have some money to spend you are much better off selling your current RAm and buying some DDR 333 stuff- that will be worth it! dont get the ddr 400 unless u r going to overclock



Thanks man...I appreciate the advice!!!

[freak_in_cage_10k]

np dude

[pyrate83]

Ok Freak in a cage....i opened tsk manager during the game and my memory looked like this. about 523,000 k total physical mem, 15,000-21,000 k avail mem, and the syst cache was at 125,000 K. Does this mean more mem plus my CPU was at 100 percent during gameplay and is this how games like Doom3 are going to react as well?