How Much Memory Do You Need? PC World

[Richard_Cranium72]

Since this question arises weekly, I'm posting a link to PC World's thoughts->>

**Below is a brief I copied from that article.**

Tom Mainelli, PC World
Sunday, March 26, 2000


Not surprisingly, systems loaded with 256MB of RAM performed the best on our benchmark tests. But systems with just half that amount of memory did almost as well. However, we found that increasing system memory from 64MB to 128MB gave a much more noticable performance boost, making it the right combination of price and performance for most people.


http://www.pcworld.com/news/article.asp?aid=15916

[LittleKing]

Simple answer, MORE, always more http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[wyvrn]

Depends on OS.

[M_Six]

Air is a need. Water is a need. Food is a need. Needs can be satisfied. RAM is a desire, and as such can NEVER be satisfied. More is always better.

[Sabbath]

I don't agree that more is always better. I was reading one of the other post talking about this same subject and they said using W98 once you have so much memory in your computer you run out of room for memory addressing and your system actually slows down.

Correct me if I am wrong please.

[Buji]

In most cases additional RAM improves system performance. However, there are a few rare times when additional RAM actually makes the system slower. The most common reason for the problem is that the system doesn't have enough cache to handle the addressing for the additional RAM. If this is your case, the only solution is to upgrade your system or motherboard, as cache cannot be upgraded. http://support.crucial.com/scripts/crucial.exe/faq

[Richard_Cranium72]

Here's a link kindly provided by SOCAL regarding some testing done on RAM.

It's no surprise that High End RAM cam out on top.

The SURPRISE is that cheap ol PNY PC100 64mb ram did EXCELLENT @ CAS 2

AND

That PNY PC133 64 & 128 sticks did so very well @ CAS 3.

Crusical PC133 128mb did great also @ CAS 3

da link->


http://www.overclockin.com/reviews/RamRoundup3/RamRoundup3-5.html

[RayH]

I guess if the motherboard will support it cheap RAM is better than no RAM! I use good motherboards and cheap RAM myself!

[This message has been edited by RayH (edited 02-18-2001).]

[Borocay]

If you are running Windows88 then anything over 512 is a waste because the OS is the bottleneck. I have 256 megs of Muchkin Cas2 Rev2 PC-133 ram and I am very happy.

Good luck

Cebu

[NDC]

How much memory depends on what kind of applications are going to be used. 256MB may be enough or may not be enough.... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[voogru]

I got 256MB of PC133 cas 2 Muskin Memory right now and its prtty quick in photoshop but when I double click on the layers too get layer properties it takes about 30 secs before ANYTHING shows up when It first happend to me I thought I didnt click it i went back to go and click and a just before I clicked tit the box opend up very slowly....

Could it be:
I need more memory Because Photoshop is already taking up what i have..
Crappy Video Card?....
Slow CPU?! 1000Mhz


think i should up my ram. Crucial 256MB of ram is CHEAP!

Im thinking 768MB of RAM!!!! But I would be filling up all my dimms....


-voogru


[This message has been edited by voogru (edited 02-18-2001).]

[Richard_Cranium72]

Are you running system monitor to see if the swap file is getting engaged.

If it's not perhaps the bottleneck is the hd?

[voogru]

Hello,

Ok I got a 30GB ATA/100 Hdd @ 7200RPM and its partitioned into a 8GB and a 21GB (its really something like 29GB) anyways WHAT THE HECK IS A SWAP FILE??? I keep asking no answers....
Must be a big secret http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif


-voogru

[Richard_Cranium72]

The swap file is "Virtual" memory when you run short on RAM.

Sometimes it will be engaged when you still have some physical RAM left.

To monitor it, go to
start,
programs,
accessories,
system tools,
system monitor

Go to the top and click add item.

Add swapfile in use which is under "memory"

I also put in mine, "unused physical memory"

The only thing in there as a default is Kernel usage, which is the CPU.

Why didn't they call it cpu % , only Bill Gates knows http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

hope this helps somehow

DrVette

[socalgal]

Voo~

Look here for The Word on Swapfile Optimization --> Adrian's Rojak Pot (http://www.adriansrojakpot.com/Speed_Demonz.htm)

The secret is... what does 'Rojak Pot' mean? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Richard_Cranium72]

Man, I'm getting OLD.

I forgot to say,,

The swapfile writes/reads from the Hard Drive as a substitute for RAM.

That's why a system slows so badly when it don't have enough RAM.

a HD is like 1000 times slower than RAM for access time..

[Warthog]

Yes, depends on OS.

I went from 128 to 384 PC133 in Win98 - not a difference in speed (maybe in benchmarks).

That's why I'm going with Win2k first chance I get.

Warthog