Will a RAM Upgrade Speed Up My PC?

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  1. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (x86)
    Thread Starter
       #11

    Ryan2320 said:
    The ONLY thing RAM will do is speed up Boot time and the amount of programs you can run will increase...


    Check your Task Manger and under the performance tab how much memory are you using??
    With nothing open?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,557
    XP, Seven, 2008R2
       #12

    but your system shouldn't be out of RAM with nothing open. It's when you start playing games that you need to see how much memory is left (if any).
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 65
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit / Ubuntu 10.04
       #13

    1GB of memory is not enough for today's software(s). Some may argue this, but I couldn't care less. Having anything less than 2GB of memory on a system where you are editing photos and video is going to be a hindrance.

    ReadyBoost is not quite the same thing as memory, but because you are only able to install 2GB have a 1GB or 2GB ReadyBoost SD card or USB stick will help when you are running a lot of programs etc.

    It makes no difference whether you use an SD card or a USB stick, just make sure that it is ReadyBoost capable and has decent speed ratings.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,177
    Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
       #14

    twick said:
    Currently I have a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, and 1GB of ram. Crucial say the max my netbook can have is 2GB, will this speed up my PC lots, or would I need a different processor.
    I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate(overkill), which runs surprisingly fast with aero and all effects on, but it would be nice to play a few games that currently lag.
    Thanks.
    The netbooks limitations have been mentioned already, With the apps you are running I think you will notice an improvement by adding another GB RAM.

    My older desktop was noticeably faster when it went from 1GB to 2GB, startup, opening apps, can open more apps and tabs without noticing a slow down.
    Win7 recommends min 1GB for 32bit and 2GB for 64bit, I would bet that 2GB RAM for 32 bit will help the overall performance.

    As mentioned, a faster HD will also help, get a 7200 RPM with 16mb cache. Haven't seen any 2 1/2" HDs with 32mb cache.

    Good luck, let us know the results.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,326
    Windows 7 Ultimate RTM (Technet)
       #15

    Going from 1GB to 2GB on Windows 7, you will most definitely see an increase in overall speed and responsiveness. Above 2GB, the increase is not as dramatic.

    On Windows XP, the breakpoint is 1GB rather than 2.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #16

    sup3rsprt said:
    but your system shouldn't be out of RAM with nothing open. It's when you start playing games that you need to see how much memory is left (if any).
    Hi there
    in principle you are right but if the disks are fast having a 1GB system with typical HOME user type apps isn't too much of a disadvantage as paging won't slow you down too much if you aren't running too many apps at the same time.

    Where you lose out is in running things like Photoshop CS4 (the 64 bit version is much much better in any case for todays larger files with the current crop of DSLR cameras).

    Audio editing actually doesn't require a huge amount of processing / memory. Video does.

    99% of office apps / internet browsing (provided you aren't using Video streaming), email, messaging will still work just fine on a 1GB machine -- as memory is cheap it doesn't hurt of course to add more but don't be surprised if the improvement isn't as dramatic as you expect.

    SCSI Disks, fast graphics GPU and a decent processor are probably much more important although SCSI on a Netbook would be overkill. SSD is another matter -- am looking forward to seeing how these perform when the technology matures a bit and the price doesn't require a "Platinum" Amex card.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #17

    I think that purchasing 2GB of memory is about the cheapest way to "slightly" improve performance on that netbook.

    You can get 2GB of netbook type memory for 25 bucks.

    [ame="http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-PC2-5400-667MHz-SoDIMM-OCZ2MV6672G/dp/B000RZ8WHG/ref=br_lf_m_1000339871_1_3_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=electronics&pf_rd_p=493356291&pf_rd_s=cente r-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000339871&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0D8X7AP5ZMGE5598FM0D"]Amazon.com: OCZ 2GB PC2-5400 667MHz DDR2 Value SoDIMM Module (OCZ2MV6672G): Electronics[/ame]
    Last edited by chev65; 12 Oct 2009 at 17:23.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 65
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit / Ubuntu 10.04
       #18

    Also, remember that it is likely you will need a 1GB module not a 2GB module. I am not sure of your system and its requirements but it likely has "built-in" memory and the memory port only supports 1GB. Check with your manual first.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 205
    Windows 8 Professional
       #19

    RAM would be a nice upgrade. As other have said it may not speed you up a whole lot but you will definitely have many less of those "slow-downs" when opening multiple apps or gaming.

    When using ReadyBoost be sure that you have the fastest USB or Card you can afford. There are differences in read / write speed for those devices so try to get the fastest!

    Another thing you will want to do is turn off Aero (or whatever Win7 calls it). This will make your menu bars no longer transparent but it WILL free up a good amount of system resources.

    Also you may want to run an app such as CCLEANER (available from Filehippo.com , FREE) that will clean up your pc of extra gunk, temp files..etc. Also its Registry scanner/cleaner is the ONLY one I trust. I trust it to the point where I have no qualms running it on servers and other important machines.


    Goodluck!
      My Computer


  10. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #20

    More RAM is always a good thing. But games with an atom processor is pushing it - also because of the graphics chip. If you want real performance improvement, get an SSD - e.g the new Intel X25.
      My Computer


 
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