OK, now I've known for a while that running with only 512MB RAM was the absolute low end for running SHIII, let alone GWX -- which clearly suggests in the manual that you meet the
recommended system configuration requirements of SHIII (and not the minimum requirements). Especially if you're gonna use the 16km atmosphere mod, in which case they suggest
exceeding the
recommended requirements.
But 512MB was what I had, and had to work with, alas.
So . . .
My XO has been politely asking for a while (I'd say pestering, but . . . :p ) that we get a wireless router, so she can use her laptop anywhere in the house instead of being stuck at her desk (or borrowing our neighbors' wireless connection;
with their permission, I'll add). So I surprised her this Saturday with a trip to Comp USA, to look at wireless routers. We picked out a nice one, but before we left I checked out RAM prices. Ick!
I'd started to walk away when she asked why I didn't pick out RAM. I told her why: around $260 for two 1GB sticks.
Her reply: "Would it help your game (meaning SHIII; she knows that's my 'game'
) run better?"
I shrugged and said something like, "A lot better, actually, yes." (Keep in mind she's occassionally seen how long it takes to pause the game to bring up Windows, or to bring the game back up from being minimized).
She grabbed my hand, dragged me back to the case and said, "Well, get them silly!"
So now I'm running on 2GB RAM and WHOO!! Boy howdy! What a difference! No stuttering, no taking minutes to shift back and forth from Windows to SHIII. It still takes time to load up GWX, yes, but that's expected. But once up and running, there's no comparison between before and now.
Have I got a great XO, or what?
