RAM: Worth it?

[LoBlo]

Excuse my computer hardware inexperience...but....

You know what I just realized? There is another slot in my Dell motherboard for a 2nd RAM Module. I have one 512MB RAM Module installed already and right next to it is a empty slot for a 2nd module of RAM...

... do you think its worth it to buy a 2nd RAM module to stick it in there or will there be no discernable different in performance?

[fredbass]

Excuse my computer hardware inexperience...but....

You know what I just realized? There is another slot in my Dell motherboard for a 2nd RAM Module. I have one 512MB RAM Module installed already and right next to it is a empty slot for a 2nd module of RAM...

... do you think its worth it to buy a 2nd RAM module to stick it in there or will there be no discernable different in performance?

Another 512 will make a big difference.

Take a look at some other threads that talk about computer hardware. They will also help you a lot.

[Takeda Shingen]

To write equatively, RAM=Life. I never pass up an opportunity to acquire more. Clearly, my answer is to purchase the RAM.

[The Avon Lady]

Performance of what? Word for Windows? Games? Graphics editing software?

There's no question that more RAM usually means faster response. The question is how relevant is it for the software you're using?

That being said, as a rule of thumb, there's often a noticeable leap in improvement in games when upgrading to 1GB of RAM.

[LoBlo]

Performance of what? Word for Windows? Games? Graphics editing software?

There's no question that more RAM usually means faster response. The question is how relevant is it for the software you're using?

That being said, as a rule of thumb, there's often a noticeable leap in improvement in games when upgrading to 1GB of RAM.

I guess its all around speed and graphics I would be going for... I've got a good graphics card and never had any problems running what I want, but more is always better...

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0118498

I was thinking about upgrading from 512 to a full 1G... or maybe even 2Gigs.... or what the heck maybe even 4gigs.... :)

[Dowly]

Think of it this way. With 512Mb you have two hands. You are surfing on a internet, speaking on the phone, drawing a picture, eating, painting. You are doing this all at the same time. Imagine how slow that would be.

With 1024Mb you have two more hands, now imagine how fast it would be to do all that with four hands.

So, the more you have RAM the quicker things load up. :up:

[Godalmighty83]

i went from 512mb to 2gigs, my loading times for half life 2 and silent hunter got slashed to about a 1/3rd of what they were.

hl2 in particular became much much smoother and consistent.

[kiwi_2005]

Take the 512mb stick out, and buy two 1gig sticks.

[Konovalov]

Windows XP works much better with 1gb instead of 512mb and such an upgrade would not be costly for a Dell system which probably has nothing more than bog standard cheap memory anyway.

[stabiz]

It will feel like a brand new computer! Remember Windows XP alone uses approx 128mb of your RAM.

[Godalmighty83]

128mb for xp is mighty optomistic, it likes much more then that to move around in. despite what microsoft put on the back of the box.

the rumour mill has it that vista enjoys a mighty 1gig all to itself when pushed.