Windows 7: Upgrading RAM memory from 4 to 8 GB DDR3

Hello there

I was wondering if upgrading my RAM memory is worth the effort. I'm thinking about going from 4GB DDR3 to 8GB DDR3.



When I upgrade the RAM, will I notify a huge difference or do I just need to keep my 4 GB? I play alot of games, but I never play new games, only games like Call of Duty 4. Old(er) games are the best!

It's not like I really need the 8 GB but I want to be more "future proof".

Because some games of these days require such great specs. My PC (actually a laptop) can run games like Colin Mcrae Dirt 2 pretty good, but sometimes the frames per second (fps) rate goes down, i.e. when I ride thru the grass etc... which is normal.

Look at my specs underneath this post!

Save your money as you wouldn't even notice the extra ram. Nothing you have listed will even be able to take advantage of it. Unless the game/app is 64 bit or large address aware, it can't use more than 2 GB anyway.

Actually, I have to slightly disagree with Stormy.

The reason I disagree is depending on what exactly you are running on your computer. For instance, I play those games. I can tell you that you might not see any performance gains with memory. HOWEVER, I will say that it will reduce noticeable loading and disk performance issues if you are juggling a lot of programs.

The reason I state this is that if you are running several system tray items, or programs where your memory usage starts stacking up, like for myself, I currently have a 2 day uptime right now, memory in use 2.73 GB, with 3684 cached, but later on, I know that my system will use close 2 gigs for running World of Warcraft.

Applications like most Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, for instance, like to snatch up as much memory it can to function as best it can.

As Stormy said, Most games are 32 bit apps, and can not/will not use more than 2GB of RAM.

Overall, for what your doing you won't notice any real improvement.

Certain applications and tasks do take advantage of all that extra RAM, making it worthwhile though.


Only if you do a lot of Heavy Photoshop work, HD Video Encoding, and multiple Virtual machines for example, will that extra RAM truly have any benefit.

Otherwise, the only benefit you really gain is Windows allowing a larger footprint.
Meaning, allowing more items to staty in memory, and Pre-Fetch/Super-Fetch will Pre-load lots more.

There is a benefit in this regard, and ALT+Tab seem slightly smoother.
BUT, its hardly worth the extra cost of the additional RAM IMHO, if you do not do any of the things such as I listed above.
The performance gain is so small, most would never even notice it.

I seldom exceed the 4GB mark when doing typical, daily things. Even gaming.
For example, My machine with 8GB, normally idles @ around 2 - 2.4GB use.

However, when gaming, even with multiple apps running in the background, it seldom goes over 4GB.
I have to try hard to get it too.

Now, editing 1080P video with multiple scripts open ... Thats a different story entirely as it does make use of it.

well I was aware of it that most games don't or barely ever use more than 2 gigs of RAM, but I tried some benchmarks with a few games (I don't even remember which games I tested) and every game was using 100% of my RAM. Does it use the 100% of 2 GB or 100% of my total of 4 GB?

Just wanted to know a few opinions if it was worth upgrading, maybe it will be in the future. But I think I better just buy a more powerfull computer in de future, home-build to keep the price as low as possible.

I also would not recommend upgrading your RAM. Based on what you are going to do, you would most likely see no gains whatsoever.

hehe, that is what I wanted to know. So-DIMM DDR3 RAM is kinda expensive here, maybe I'll upgrade it in the future if I find it necessary.

thanks guys