How much Memory?

[SRFireside]

I have a question that's been bugging me for ages. I am told that Win9x can't really utilize onboard memory much more than 128MB. Is this true? Reason why I am asking is I have a 770Mhz Athlon (lazy man's overclock) and 128MB of PC133 SDRAM on a Windows 98 (not SE) system. Would there be any gains by adding an additional 128MB to this system?

 

[Dulanic]

Yes and no.... it depends on what you do. If you just play games or only have a few programs open it will do nothing for you. If you do things like photoshop etc... 256 can make a difference. If you had Win2K it would be a different story... Win2K loves 256MB.

 

[oldfart]

256 does help with Win98 in games. It takes out those little "hitches" you get. It really depends on what apps you use. Since its so cheap now ($50 -$75) or so for 128 meg, go for it.

 

[chuckieland]

would it be anypoint to go 384mb pc133mhz memory in Win98se?
not going to W2k just yet
for two reason. KX133chipset issue with W2k. and the patch limited memory usage
2) my 3dfx voodoo3 3500tv only have w2k driver in Beta RC1.

 

[chuckieland]

also the games that may not run in W2k

 

[Ulysses]

This Kingston Memory Assessor is pretty realistic.

 

[BFG10K]

I am told that Win9x can't really utilize onboard memory much more than 128MB. Is this true?

No, that is bullsh*t.

Would there be any gains by adding an additional 128MB to this system?

Yes, especially if you play Quake 3/Unreal/UT/Dues Ex etc. Also the next generation of games (Doom 3 and Unreal 2) will probably require 256 MB RAM to run well.

I have a 192 MB Windows 98 SE system and it works great.

 

[SCSIfreek]

I have 512MB with win2K.... "The more the Better", At work i have 256MB on Win98SE which loves the extra memory.



--SCSI

 

[Mday]

there is one problem though, the win9x kernel (win95, win98, winme) has problems managing more than 512 MB of ram due to a design flaw. this problem does not exist in w2k of course, which uses the NT kernel.

i know of at least one user who runs win98se with more than 512MB of RAM.

 

[Degenerate]

Yeah, more ram will help. Especially when you run graphics apps (and games).

 

[chuckieland]

mmm
make me iche for another stick of 128mb Infineon memory
I already have 256mb
so i get a stick of 128mb or a stick of 256mb
I only have one more slot left
and I use alot of Internet, Media player, some games, office application. ICQ, outlook express. Webcam/scanner, Divx. FTP
and i use alot of them at the same time

 

[billyjak]

256 is a sweet spot Billyjaks Rack

 

[slurp]

MaximumPC mag did an article in the December issue with benchmarks which indicate that win98SE performance seems to max out between 128 and 192mb RAM, and WIN2000 loves 256.