How much ram do i need?

[jchen82]

Hi, I have windows 2000 and i have a 128 mb of ram right now but like my computer is running very slow right now and a lot of times it says i am low on virtual memory. I think its because I have norton antivirus, and norton internet security on. Also with photoshop when i work on my website. I can understand why, but what i am wondering is what i should upgrade to? 256mb ram? or 384mb ram?

[Nighthawk]

If the price of a 256MB dimm that'll work on your system is around twice that of a 128, buy it. If not, go for a 128. You'll see a big performance increase either way.

[Roy]

More RAM can't hurt, but it might not be the whole answer. Isn't Virtual Memory the HDD swap file space? Maybe you can enlarge the setting.

[jchen82]

yea it is the swap file but its because the swap file is so big because i need so more ram. Just dunno if i should get 128mb more to have a total of 256mb of ram or 256mb more to have a total of 384mb ram.

[Sixpac]

I would add another stick of 128mb Ram or even 256mb since the price is sooooo low.

Remember to set your swap file size to 1.5x the amount of physical ram you have in your computer. Also I would put the swap file on a physical drive other then your C:\ root. That would help in performance of you system.

To change your swap size. Double click on your System icon in the control panel. Choose the Advanced tab at the top and then you can "change" the swap file setting in the "performance options" box.

***remember you need to reboot your computer for these settings to take effect***

6pac

[Biff]

I seen a BIG difference going from 128 to 256 on my W2K setup. I also seen a noticable difference going from 256 to 384.

[jchen82]

What do you mean put the swap file on another physical drive? like put it on another hard drive instead of the master hard drive?