Going from 1GB (2x512) to 2GB (4x512).

[de8212]

In the Hot Deals section I saw this thread. It got me to thinking about upgrading my current 1Gb (2x512) to another (2x512) pair so I could have 2GB.
What would I really notice as far as a performance increase? I rarely, if ever, play games. I do some video converting, editing, transferring every now and then. What all would be faster? Loading apps, booting windows, etc???

I don't overclock but have wondered if I should. Is there a problem running 4 sticks of RAM .vs 2?
PC specs are in my sig.
tia

 

[SynthDude2001]

I'm about to do the same thing. Just bought 2x512MB sticks today to add to the two that I already have. On a P4 system you shouldn't notice any performance hits, and if you use >1GB of RAM, having the extra RAM will definitely be faster than paging to the hard drive

 

[Bobthelost]

Nope, you should be fine. As far as i know it's only the A64s that have issues with 4 sticks because of their better memory controller (oh the irony).

 

[de8212]

thanks for the info.
Since I have hyperX pc3200 now, is it best just to stick with hyperx3200?

 

[Bobthelost]

I think (not sure) that P4 systems can run two sets of dual channel memory even if the sets are different sizes/makes.

Keeping it hyperX pc3200 might save you a bit of effort and make you happier about compatability, but unless it's only a few $ difference i wouldn't bother.

 

[Shenkoa]

I dont think you will notice any differents past 1GB. I think you should invest in one of those new Raptor 150's. That will show a good differents.

 

[Bobthelost]

Good point from shenkoa, you are sure you need more RAM in the first place?

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: de8212
In the Hot Deals section I saw this thread. It got me to thinking about upgrading my current 1Gb (2x512) to another (2x512) pair so I could have 2GB.
What would I really notice as far as a performance increase? I rarely, if ever, play games. I do some video converting, editing, transferring every now and then. What all would be faster? Loading apps, booting windows, etc???

I don't overclock but have wondered if I should. Is there a problem running 4 sticks of RAM .vs 2?
PC specs are in my sig.
tia

Unless what you are running now, uses more than 1gb of ram, going to 2gig isn't really going to give you any noticable differance. After running some of the programs you use, go in to task manager, go to the performance tab, and look at the bottom left corner where is says commit charge. Look at the peak number. If it's 1gb or less, there is no need to add more ram. If it does go higher than 1gb, you are hitting the page file, and will get some benifit from going to 2gb of ram.

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Good point from shenkoa, you are sure you need more RAM in the first place?

That's kinda why I am asking. I really didn't notice an increase (except for booting into windows) when I went from a 7200 IDE drive to the Raptor drive??? And yes, I did a fresh install of XP. It seemed slightly faster.
The other day I was converting an xvid to a dvd file and it took over an hour for a one hour file.
I'm just curious if having more RAM will improve things of this nature.

Completely different example but I saw a system the other day w/a 2.8GHz processor 4GB RAM and a 7800 video card (not sure of the model/make) and a regualr SATA hd (not 10K rpm raptor), a 32" LCD and it was amazing. I know my video card is not up to that and my RAM is lacking. Just made me sick to see how smooth everything was.

 

[Bobthelost]

1GB RAM is plenty for everything other than hardcore gaming or hardcore photoshop (i've never managed to get photoshop to eat that much RAM myself). Transcoding video doesn't use much RAM at all if memory serves. Stevty's advice is spot on on this.

The speed increase from a raptor isn't life changing. You'll just save a second loading a program here, a second saving a file there...

 

[shortylickens]

Other than running a Battlefield 2 server, nothing right now NEEDS 2 GB of RAM. But it wont take long.

I have been told that using all four slots will cause your memory to drop down a command rate, but like others already said that should be just the A64.

 

[Bobthelost]

BF2 single player puts my RAM over the 1GB mark. It does benifit from the extra RAM, although it doesn't NEED it

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
I think (not sure) that P4 systems can run two sets of dual channel memory even if the sets are different sizes/makes.

Keeping it hyperX pc3200 might save you a bit of effort and make you happier about compatability, but unless it's only a few $ difference i wouldn't bother.

A pentium 4 can run two differan makes of ram.

example 1.5GB:

Two sticks of Brand X 256MB ram
later you add Two sticks of Brand Z 512 Ram

As long as one each side is balanced (ie channel) with the same combination of ram sticks then all should be ok, just do not expcet to overclock it. This has been my experience in the past.

 

[alimoalem]

i guess if i were you i wouldn't upgrade yet.

Originally posted by: Shenkoa
I dont think you will notice any differents past 1GB. I think you should invest in one of those new Raptor 150's. That will show a good differents.

i agree with not noticing the difference but the OP already has a 74gb raptor so i doubt the increase in performance from the current raptor to the 150 wouldn't be too signficant.

just save your money OP

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
i guess if i were you i wouldn't upgrade yet.

Originally posted by: Shenkoa
I dont think you will notice any differents past 1GB. I think you should invest in one of those new Raptor 150's. That will show a good differents.

i agree with not noticing the difference but the OP already has a 74gb raptor so i doubt the increase in performance from the current raptor to the 150 wouldn't be too signficant.

just save your money OP

:thumbsup:

Wait a while for a 15k raptor.