Author Topic: What is it like having 1 gig RAM on a computer? (Read 580 times)

1K3 · « **on:** December 01, 2006, 10:52:55 PM »

Ok...

I'm stuck with a laptop that has a very fast processor (pentium 4 3.06 ghz) with somewhat small memory size (512mb ram, 2x 256mb on 2 slots). What I wanna know is how is the computer gonna perform if you double the ram.

ramzey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2006, 11:37:33 PM »

much faster

Krusty · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2006, 11:58:35 PM »

I had the same PC parts except 512MB RAM. I could barely run HL2 at all. It was a slide show. It ran, but very poorly. When I got 1GB RAM it ran smooth as freaking silk, man!

AH runs better, smoother. Less swapping. Programs load faster (Photoshop barely blinks the screen that loads filters, etc, before it's ready to use), and everything is faster, and generally happier. I just wish I had 2 GB in dual-channel. That would rock.

ramzey · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2006, 12:20:10 AM »

you had a laptop Krusty?? ;-)

1K3 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2006, 12:21:53 AM »

my memory is a 200-pin with DDR SDRAM. Is that duaal channel too?

ramzey · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2006, 12:27:59 AM »

possible
but should be marked as DDR2
just DDR is single channel
what brand, model of laptop do you have?

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2006, 12:35:32 AM »

Ramzey, DDR or DDR2 can both be dual channel. "Dual channel" refers to a motherboard technology, not a specific type of RAM.

Some reading material:

http://www.kingston.com/newtech/MKF_520DDRwhitepaper.pdf

ramzey · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2006, 12:40:48 AM »

good to learn something new ;-)

1K3 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 02, 2006, 01:00:01 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by ramzey
what brand, model of laptop do you have?

a Sony PCG K-33:p I won't even call this a loptop. It's heavy and makes too much noise (it's gotta be the raw power from P4 3.06ghz). Memory is 2x 512mb DDR

Krusty · « **Reply #9 on:** December 02, 2006, 01:02:25 AM »

Sorry, I meant to say "Same parts before and after upgrade, only thing that was different was the amount of RAM".

ramzey · « **Reply #10 on:** December 02, 2006, 01:16:35 AM »

you have PC-2100 226MHz DDR

bj229r · « **Reply #11 on:** December 02, 2006, 11:48:35 PM »

video memory is prolly whats killin ya, ram only thing that can help-- i played this game 4 years on a laptop, ram DID hep somewhat

Schutt · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2006, 05:11:14 AM »

Verry much depends on what video chip / system is in the laptop.

Monty405 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 03, 2006, 10:12:29 AM »

with windows being such a memory hog 1gig is about the norm if your a gamer these days.

Krusty · « **Reply #14 on:** December 03, 2006, 12:59:35 PM »

No no, you folks don't understand. I had an ANCIENT video card. I was on a GeForce 4400 128MB card. And STILL with just the RAM increase everything everywhere (including every game I have) was running better. 512 may seem like a lot to some folks, but 1GB is really the "comfort minimum". these days.

Going from 512 to 1GB ram is going to help even if you have an old video chip. Trust me.