more than 256Mb of memory...shall I?

[andreadebiase]

I have 256Mb of SDRAM memory (PC133) and I was wondering: is more memory going to improve the overall performance? or maybe is not worth since 256 is enought?
thanks



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#!@$*%.....just format the damn C:

[Black Swann]

I would say no to that, unless you like to use loads of applications at the same time, do alot of photo work and like your PC to shut down quick.

Windows runs optimum on 128Mb anyway so there will be very little improvement on that stakes.

I just upgraded mine from 128 to 384 and it makes very little difference, save your money... get something else.... ANYONE DISAGREE???

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Confucious, he say, "Don't use cannon to kill mosquito.. use a nuke instead.."

[hiredgoonz]

If you're running W9x, I don't think you'll see any difference going higher than 256mb...with Windows 2000, I noticed a performance increase in certain tasks when I went from 256mb to 512mb, and no real difference going from 512mb to 768mb...

I primarily upgraded for video capture and ram is a good thing for that...

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When all else fails, read the instructions.

[yawningdog]

If you're using apps like photoshop or autocad, get the extra memory.

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He thrusts his fists against the posts but still insists he sees the ghosts.

[tjaymadison]

I disagree most strongly. The notion that any FAT version of Windows from 95 through Me
does not use RAM after a certain amount is installed or after a certain level is reached is just plain nonsense,
at least until you exceed 512M.

There is a diminishing rate of performance increase, but even that more depends on the type of software
being run, the number of programs loaded, and the amount of multi-tasking being done.

Assuming 'average' or 'normal' usage patterns, you will see the most improvement after upgrading from 32M,
somewhat less as a percentage increase after that.

Strictly for illustrative purposes:

32M = base performance level, theoretically
64M = base * 2 (100% increase over 32M)
128M = base * 2.5 (150% increase over 32M, but only 25% over 64M)
256M = base * 2.7 (170% increase over 32M, 35% over 64M, but only 8% over 128M)
512M = base * 2.8 (180% increase over 32M, 40% over 64M, 12% over 128M, but only 4% over 256M)

In other words, doubling the RAM does not continue to double the speed/performance each time.
The performance does get better, just not as much and not as fast.

Certainly, you will want to balance this performance curve against the cost of the RAM, and its planned
life-span. RAM prices are now at an all-time low, but if you overbuy SDRAM and then upgrade to a system that
uses a different type of memory later, you won't be able to use your old RAM.

For amounts over 512M, see this article in the MSKB:

Out of Memory Error Messages with Large Amounts of RAM Installed (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q253/9/12.ASP)

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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 07-07-2001).]

[hiredgoonz]

I don't think anybody said Windows wouldn't use it...

I think the sentiment was more that there wouldn't be a whole lot of performance increase going from 256 to 512 with Windows 9x...

So, yes, although ram prices are extremely low, the money would probably be better spent on a vid card or hard drive upgrade for all the difference the ram will make...



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When all else fails, read the instructions.

[andreadebiase]

Thanks for your reply. I will now change slightly my question: do you think that instead of adding sdram it would be better to use DDR memory? ofcourse this would be much more expensive cuz i should change mobo, however, do you think that ddr would be a better choice?
.

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#!@$*%.....just format the damn C:

[BigBlue66]

Hi Andrea,

I can see that we are wandering from the original question. To answer your latest question, I would say yes, if you can swing it financially. A newer motherboard that will support DDR, which seems to be the next wave of the future would be well worth it.

As for your question concerning doubling your SDRAM, I can personally vouch for the results. Four days ago, I boosted my system from 256mb PC133 to 512mb PC133. Although I did notice a performace increase, as TJAY pointed out, I did not reap a 100% increase.

On the other hand, RAM is dirt cheap right now and as mentioned previously, if you are doing a lot of video intensive work, or like to have several programs opened and working at once, the extra memory surely will help. Although DDR is coming on strong, SDRAM will be like DOS; It's hung around for a long time and is still useful.

Guess it all depends on how you feel about it and how much money you are willing to spend.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66



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Woe is me.

[andreadebiase]

I think that soon mobos with DDR will be cheap as those with SDRAM, you can already buy one for $100. DDR memory is cheap already. I think i`ll wait a bit and change the mobo in the near future. Thanks to you all.


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#!@$*%.....just format the damn C:

[Randy_tx]

For the extra cost associated with DDR.....there is only a NOMINAL speed improvement [as in less than 10%].....see Tom's Hardware site for more details on his disappointment with it.

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Will XP save Me ?

[andreadebiase]

Originally posted by Randy_tx:
For the extra cost associated with DDR.....there is only a NOMINAL speed improvement [as in less than 10%].....see Tom's Hardware site for more details on his disappointment with it.



Randy, are you saying that you would rather buy additional SDRAM and stick with it for a while before changing to DDR?


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#!@$*%.....just format the damn C:

[net1]

http://www.crucial.com/library/Pushing_Limits.asp