memory

[jen379]

i have 64mb memory i do alot with graphisc and digital photos and i know i need more memory i am constantly geting virtual memory is to low messages and some times it just reboots for no apparent reason how do i know how much memory to get and what kind ? also what is the benifits of using a sound card or video card ?

[Rick]

The size type and amount of memory you add will be in part determined by your system
Check your system documentation for the Memory requires of your system.
Speed (PC100-PC133) type Dimm’s sdram and number of available memory expansions slots used and open..

I also do a lot of Graphics work and found that the best place to start with memory is Look at the amount used before a hard drive swap occurs.
The Operating system for example Win98se will grab the first 24 meg of ram.
Then load your software. ( 16 -24 meg)
When scanning color photos I figure a minimum of 40 meg of free ram for that.
Then depending on the number of Undo and or copies the software keeps in memory and the average size of the files you work with you need to allow for that. 40x4

In my case this comes out to 256 meg of ram
For Graphics not Photos you should be able to work with 128meg of ram

[BigBlue66]

Do you have a motherboard user manual? If so, read it. It should tell you what kind, what speed and other particulars about what memory it will support. If you don't have a manual, you can download one from the manufacturer's website. Make sure to get the appropriate one for your motherboard model.

Also, if you're having spontaneous rebooting, you may have either a heat issue or a power supply issue. Open up your case and use some compressed air to blow out all the dust. Place a standard household fan so that it blows across the motherboard and components at an angle. See if that helps with the rebooting. If it does, then your system is running too hot. If it doesn't, then post back the specs on your power supply. Maybe it's either getting overtaxed or it's dying.

The benefits of adding sound/video PCI cards to your system, (I assume you're using onboard now) is that they won't tax your system as much. Onboard sound especially in older systems sometimes uses CPU resources to function.

Generally, adding an AGP or PCI video card should provide for better performance and graphics in games and normal use.

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This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.

[old_kid]

Piggy backing on Big blues comments.

A good video card will have it's own memory - some up to 64 Meg which frees up RAM especially when heavy into graphics.

AGP slot - if on your system is better choice for video card over PCI as it is designed to be faster and gains additional speed bypassing various protocols and dealing directly with RAM.

So - if you can - go for 256MB RAM - at least 32MB Video card, and if you got any money left over http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif an inexpensive sound card

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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