Should I upgrade RAM from 256 to 512

[DavidHood]

I have a tbird 800, gefore2 gts, and 256 M cas 2 ram. I use the computer mainly for gaming and internet. I play alot of FPS. SInce i see that the memory is coming down alot should I go ahead and pay 200 and get a 256 M cas 2 ram chip to fill my 3rd slot in my A7V or am i wasting my money. If the system is not gonna use it for what i do maybe I should just save it...thanks in advance

 

[Shagga]

If your interested in getting more performance, i.e. by installing more RAM, I would hold off and put it towards a mobo which takes DDR RAM and get even more from it.

IMO, save your money, 256MB is sufficient for todays software.

 

[Bryan]

Definitely don't do it, unless you get into RAM intensive apps like Photoshop. You'll see no major difference.

 

[rootaxs]

Agreed, unless u do graphics intensive work you're better off saving your cash for DDR.

If u do graphics let me tell you when i upped my system from 128 to 320mb it made a world of difference on Photoshop.

 

[jaydee]

If you use Win98, there is no it can use the additional RAM. I think there have been enough discussions on that lately. If you use 2k, or Linux, it might be worth it, but probably not if your just a gamer.

 

[Ulysses]

As indicated, for what you're doing there is probably no benefit in going above 256 MB with Win 98. Maybe some benefit with Win 2K. See this.

 

[goofy2000]

well.. you can always make a ram drive..

 

[goldboyd]

what os are you running? i recently bumped my 2k box from 256 to 512 and it made a definate difference. i feel no additional load on my box no matter how many windows i have open now, its great. i just leave a couple netscape and securecrt windows open now when i play games and its great. so if you're using 2k or nt, do it, if 9x, then its not worth it

 

[DavidHood]

I am gonna get WHistler when it comes out so I might as well get the memory now

 

[Roguetech]

Keep an eye on the win386.swp (pagefile.sys in Win2K, but Win2K does a better job keeping it in line), and see how big it gets. If it breaks 100MB on a regular basis, it's problably worth [edit] it. If it gets up to 200 or 250 MB, either switch to better OS, or definitly go for the upgrade. This is just a little personal theory... If anyone wants to contradict me, feel free

 

[mcbiff]

Get the RAM and Win2k, you won't regret it.

 

[A2KLAU]

Don't go for the ram! Games don't need so much and even if you do get it there will not be alot of difference becasue yor graphics card handles most of it anyway. The CPU is also fast enough to handle the processing in games and the Internet. Save it! Wait for the price of DDR Ram to drop abit more and then go for a new mobo which supports it and maybe pay abit ore for the Ram needed! And to increase funds sell your 258 ram sticks! From what I read I think you have 2X128MB sticks right?! But sell them off so your funds towards your new mobo and ram will increase!

Good Luck,

SKY.

 

[xtreme2k]

If you running Win2000, yes

ONe might say you dont need more than 256MB, but trust me, how would you like all your programs running (or closed) all in your cache. Anything you load up is near instant. Also when memory are SO CHEAP and whistler is coming up, 512MB isnt crazy.

 

[dszd0g]

Man their are a lot of people waiting for DDR? You guys did read the benchmarks right? It really sounds like KT133A is a better investment than DDR at this point.

Anyways, my two main machines have 512MB and 320MB. Obviously my opinion is the more memory is better. Although, honestly for most of the stuff I do the 320MB seems sufficient and generally overkill. But upgrading the second machine from 192 to 320 made a huge difference for me. So it is possible that upgrading from 256 to 512 could make a big difference for you.

I agree with checking your swap usage to see if it would be worth it. Everything other than DDR and Rambust is pretty cheap right now though.