Whether to add more memory or not ?

idainc · 25 Apr 2011

I'm running a core 2 quad 8400s with 8gb ddr2-800 with a 1gb Nvidia 330M chip. This is a new SONY all in one.

Other than internet, Word and email, on occasion I run CAD. The CAD function alone will peg CPU use at 100% but physical memory stays fairly constant at around 32 - 35%. I rarely have many programs open at once.

I can fairly economically go up to 12GB ram but really hate to spend the money if I'm not going to see a performance boost.

Any thoughts on whether another 4GB will make any difference at all ? Thanks for you help.

pparks1 · 25 Apr 2011

Doesn't sound like you are in need of any more RAM. Sounds like an upgrade of your CPU would make the most difference.

ignatzatsonic · 25 Apr 2011

I wouldn't think so.

Your memory in use would decline from the low 30s to the low 20s. So what? The extra 4 GB you just installed would be gathering dust in the slots, unused.

idainc · 25 Apr 2011

Thats what I was thinking. Any more and it'd be unused. As a test I put in a 4GB USB for ready boost and it it shows barely any activity.

My WEI score for the CPU is 7.2 and I was thrilled to see this came right off the shelf with a 1TB WD 7200 rpm 64MB cache. Even for the paging file I'm not really waiting for much.

Thanks for the advice.

BugMeister · 25 Apr 2011

I think what pparks1 was trying to say is, that for the huge amount of coding that often takes place when using CAD, a very powerful CPU would make the biggest difference..

- the memory usage won't change, but the speed of the coding will..

Zepher · 25 Apr 2011

no need to up the memory, as it is a waste of money.
and do you know what configuration you have right now? I am thinking you have 4x2GB sticks and there are only 4 slots so to add 4GB more, you will have to remove 4GB and replace it with 8GB, using 2x4GB sticks that aren't very cheap in the DDR2 800mhz flavor, $155.
Newegg.com - A-DATA Supreme Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model SU2U800C4G6-2

idainc · 25 Apr 2011

This is a Sony All in One. A 24 inch monitor with lap top hardware on the back. I have 4GB inaccessible and 2 slots accessible that have 2 2GB in each. I'd need to take those two out and add 2 x 4GB sticks od DDR2-800 SODIMM for $159.99 on New Egga nd sell off the 2 2gb's for maybe $50 on ebay.