Is 256Mb RAM 2 much??

[Wilan Wong]

I recently ordered an upgrade system for my old retiring Pentium MMX 200.. my new configuration is as follows..
- AMD Duron 800MHz
- 256Mb PC133 RAM
- 20gig Western Digital UATA/66 7200RPM
- Gigabyte GA-7ZM Motherboard Soc-A
- 16Mb 3Dfx Voodoo Banshee (Gonna be Geforce2 MX soon..)
- Onboard Sound etc etc.
Is 256Mb too much?? I thought that my current computer which had 128Mb, was to slow.. so i thought that I should add 256Mb on this upgrade.. I usually have 20 windows opened at the same time.. and usually work using Photoshop (not large images), and other Multimedia programs.. 'cos if it's not worth it then I will change it to 128Mb.. BTW, plan on running WinNT4 not windows based on dos code.. Win9x/Me and them.. Any suggestions would be great.. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Fudge]

I'd get 256 for sure...especially with what yer gonna be doing with the system.

[Steve R Jones]

At least 256.

[NDC]

I would also have to say at least 256MB, but 384MB would be nice! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Long Haired Hippie Phreek]

Photo shop loves memory, it performes better on a good ascent all the way up to 512mb of ram.

[NDC]

Depending on the size of the image you work with, even 1GB won't cut it. Photoshop is very RAM hungy! I guess it's nothing new though, what industrial strength graphic application do you know of that isn't RAM hungry? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[kljucd1]

Hi,
I have 640megs, which allows my system to run nicely, i also run photoshop which used to cause me problems when i had 256megs, i would usually be using the internet at though same time though.
Daniel...

[Dave_Whittle]

memory is like money you can never have too much!

[ablang]

In the old days, like 3 years ago, we had chipsets that ran slower w/ more than 64MB of EDO RAM. Now, the sky's the limit.

My advice is to buy as much obsolete SDRAM as you can afford to lose, knowing that you won't use it on your next motherboard.

[CMonster]

Definately go for as much memory as you can afford - I recommend 256MB as a starting point these days.

NDC- what industrial strength graphic application do you know of that isn't RAM hungry? GIMP! -now also available for Windows -for free. ...but I think Best Buy has Photoshop-6 available for $549 ....what?* with my buddy's employee discount I might be able to get that suite for under $500 -or some nice SCSI drives instead. Don't get me wrong - I like Photoshop - and if it were priced about $450 less I might even buy it.

[NDC]

Yeah, I would have to say that Adobe DOES need to lower their prices on Photoshop and the rest of their software. I think they're too expensive for home users to purchase..

Hey Cmonster, are you telling me that GIMP doesn't hog up as much memory as Photoshop? I think GIMP would be the same, since the graphic file is what actually uses up the memory, not the application. I mean the application DOES specifically use a certain amount of memory to render filters at optimal speeds. Photoshop will use up as much memory as it has opened images even after closing that image file(s) until you close Photoshop and restart it. The image files that you've opened previously remain in the memory until you restart Photoshop.



[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 01-02-2001).]

[Warthog]

256 at least.

I do about that same stuff you do but with video editing and some minor photo stuff. I have many apps open and running (ex. converting avi to mpeg, playing mp3, icq, watching tv, etc.) at the same time.

I just purchased a 256mb stick to add to my 128. Waiting for it to come.

Warthog

[Wilan Wong]

Wow.. 256Mb RAM isn't that much nemore!? Go back a year or two, and get a PC with 128Mb RAM, and they would say it's just an "overkill".. look at now! After this upgrade, I'm saving up for another upgrade. not sure wot it is at this time.. but if I actually need the extra RAM.. I wouldn't hesistate goin to 512Mb.. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Missing the point]

Actually, come to think of it, 256 is WAAY TOO MUCH!!


Get 32, or better yet, 16. That way, that darn Windows OS won't have as much RAM to hog!!

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!