Windows 7: difference in performance between 2GB and 4GB RAM

A computer at work is running Windows 7 Professional 32 bit so the max is 4GB. It presently has 2 GB (DDR3) installed. The board supports dual channel, has two slots, but only one is populated.

After a couple hours the computer is dead slow. Would it be a good idea to install a 2GB stick or install a pair of matched 2GB sticks? Would the increase in RAM make a noticeable difference or is there something else going on?

While, technically, according to MS, 2GB of RAM would be the minimum of RAM required for Win 7, in the real world where we live, 4GB would be a more realistic minimum. DDR3 RAM is now cheap enough, it would make sense to go ahead and bump it up to 8GB. RAM should be installed in matched pair so you would either need two 2GB sticks or two 4GB matched sticks. I would go to Crucial's web site and use either their advisor or their scanner to determine which RAM would be the best match for the machine.

Whether that will make a difference in performance is hard to say. If this has been a problem for some time, then there is a fairly good chance upgrading the RAM will help. If the problem just cropped up and the workload on the computer hasn't changed, then there is a good chance the problem lies elsewhere.

The problem has been there for some time. The person that uses the computer needs 4 or 5 tabs open in IE, Outlook, and two other programs running at the same time. In the morning it runs OK but as the day goes on the computer gets slower and slower. Maybe a heat related issue? I'm going to look at the fans when I install the memory.

The specs I'm looking at say 4GB is the max I could install.

Hi,
Yep 4 open tabs is nearly 1gb memory right there depending on what is open youtube even more being used.

Those spec's from 2009 aren't realistic for today's browsers
Lucky s/he doesn't use Chrome or Firefox

He does use Chrome from time to time. Some of the programs are web based that's why multiple tabs are open. I really noticed it today when I had to look up some information on his computer. I clicked in IE to open a new tab (two were open), it took 10 to 15 seconds for the tab to appear. I clicked on Start to see how much memory was installed (never really looked at the specs before) and it took a long time for the start menu to appear.

I installed Speccy on the computer to get info on the memory.

If your motherboard supports dual channel and you only have 1 stick of ram installed, your motherboard is running in single channel.

Reading your post indicates to me your problem is you are using all the ram available.
As such things get vvvveeery slow.

If you could let us know (Speecy) what motherboard is being used it would be very useful information.

Jack

Chrome alone will suck it up like a hoover vacuum cleaner :)

I'd use the Crucial upgrade scanner it is the easiest way to match the existing stick
Otherwise it would be best to buy a 2x2gb pack.
But at least the scanner will show all upgrades possible.

I saw prices for 4GB (2x2GB) sticks for around $20. The local Staples didn't have any so I'm going to check the local computer repair place. I'll buy from Newegg if I can't find it local.
Something like this: G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS-Newegg.com

It's a HP desktop, don't know the model number but Speccy is telling me the motherboard is a Foxconn 2A8Ch.

I'm stopping into work today and I'm going to open the case and see what I'm actually working with. Some info says DDR2 and some says DDR3.

The only thing that I can find for that motherboard is this.

From you post #8

Foxconn 2A8CH 1.0 Mainboard Specs


Two matched memory modules of 2 gb each should work well for this little computer.

Let us know what memory is installed all ready. You must know for sure if DDR-2 or DDR-3.

If the Crucial scanner doesn't (and I'm fairly sure it will), Speccy will tell him if he has DDR-2 or DDR-3.