does memory really make the difference?

[astrophysics]

I have two computers...
computer 1, Abit NF7-S v2.0 / athlon 2200+ @ 1.85Ghz / 512MB PC3200 Crucial
computer 2, Abit NF7-S v2.0 / athlon 2500+ @ 2.05Ghz / 512MB PC 2700 Kingston

I was wondering why does my 1st computer run quite faster than my second one? I mean its a noticable difference...
same motherboard, computer#2 is faster, both prime95 stable...

Really is it the memory? Does it really matter that much?

 

[Trader05]

Are the hard drives the same also? I think you should do some benchmarking and compare

 

[DaveSimmons]

Also use task manager to make sure the slower computer isn't running spyware/adware, virus, worm, or even just some program or service that's always running and stealing CPU.

If you're running a P2P program like kazaa or torrent, or a distributed application like SETI@Home on only the slower computer, or the slower computer is running connection sharing those are all possible causes.

 

[astrophysics]

computer1's main hd is a quantum 20GB ATA/66 5400rpm, heh
computer2's main hd an ibm 60gb ATA/100, 7200RPM

So... computer 2 is a freshly installed pc, no spyware...

So memory can't account for computer1 being faster?

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040119/index.html

 

[0roo0roo]

and try running both comps at 2700 speed in bios. only then you can tell.