How much of a system performance increase from 512MB to 1GB?

[InlineFive]

I've been working overtime lately and I've got some cash I want to spend. How much would this impact my system performance? WindowsXP doesn't move the progress bar for loading windows but I want it to go straight to the desktop. :evil: Should it be more memory or a faster HDD? No 36GB Raptors since I'll only take something with fluid bearings.

-Por

OCZ PC3200 Performance 512MB
SATA Maxtor DiamondMax 9+ 80GB 8MB

 

[Zelmo3]

I upgraded from 512MB to 1GB a few weeks ago, and the only difference I've seen is that Desert Combat doesn't stutter any more.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Zelmo3
I upgraded from 512MB to 1GB a few weeks ago, and the only difference I've seen is that Desert Combat doesn't stutter any more.

Hrm...

 

[Tango57]

Of your 512 MB how much of that memory on average do you use? I also have 512 MB PC3200 but on average I only use half of that. When I start playing memory intensive games such as BF1942 multiplayer online or do Photoshop editing then my memory starts to dwindle down a bit. You probably wouldn't see that much of a performance increase if you got another 512 MB unless you're running memory hogging applications. It's always nice though to have more memory headroom to play with.

 

[Tango57]

Yeah Desert Combat is a memory hog!! I utilize 300 MB or more just for that game alone.:Q

 

[blodhi74]

go with 1GB (if U can afford it) ....... had a rig with 1 GB SDRAM and went to 512DDR with a new rig..do miss the extra RAM

 

[Neyd3400]

I had noticeable difference. I was running a stick of HyperX pc3000 512 and stuck in two stick of 256 pc2100 value ram. I had to lose 6mhz off the bus, but it was worth it.

 

[NokiaDude]

It made my burning times for burnign 700mb with my TDK 24x burner faster by a minute. From 5m to burn w/512mb to 4m to burn w/1GB

 

[Pilsnerpete]

I don't believe another 512 will make it boot faster. Another hard drive would though, if you configured them in raid 0. But, honestly, I wouldn't do that if the original drive is much older. You could buy 2 raptors AND another stick of ddr, and then use your current drive for storage!

 

[screw3d]

I don't have a lot of stuff running in the background, but at the end of boot-up to Win XP, I find that 300MB is already used.. that leaves only about 200MB of RAM if I only have 512MB of memory. Frankly, I don't know how to live without the additional 512MB

 

[sirspotticus]

Just save your money and spend it on strippers

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: sirspotticus
Just save your money and spend it on strippers

Always good advice.

 

[magomago]

yeah i was thinking of doing it also...getting another stick of 512 (too lazy to get rid of my 2x256 - well actually I'd give a 256 to someone who really needs it), but I arely play games now - though i usually howver areound 480 in ram usage (i occasionally use photoshop and i'm a fan of leaving windows open) and I was thinking of tossing in that 512 and never having to worry until i get a new rig.

 

[0roo0roo]

simcity...1942, desert combat.. stuff that easily goes over 500mb will benift.

 

[gsaldivar]

Originally posted by: Neyd3400
I had noticeable difference.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I had 512, went to a gig, didn't notice a difference.

 

[MichaelZ]

ran 1 gig of PC2700 last year. then took out 512 after the other stick developed problems. didn't notice a difference.

 

[WyteWatt]

I think you should go to at least 1 gig of ram and maybe even 1.5 to 2 gigs of ram sense future games, software, etc I am sure will take even more ram.

 

[saltedeggman]

i noticed a difference because i have lots of windows open, and ABC BT is such a system hog....(memory)

 

[InlineFive]

Well the memory isn't so much of an issue because I have tweaked WinXP Pro to boot using under 120MB of memory. It's just when I start playing Desert Combat or Star Wars Galaxies is when it gets laggy. But it looks like a hard disk is the way to go for now. Guess I'll wait for the 76GB Raptor to fall in price since I won't buy a ball-bearing hard disk.

Thank you!

-Por

 

[Zelmo3]

Check out the Hot Deals and FS/FT forums. I saw a post about new 74GB Raptors for $200 each yesterday. That's what it cost for the 36GB models last fall.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Zelmo3
Check out the Hot Deals and FS/FT forums. I saw a post about new 74GB Raptors for $200 each yesterday. That's what it cost for the 36GB models last fall.

That's still really expensive. If I paid that kind of money I would just buy an 18GB Fujitsu 15k SCSI to put my OS, Pagefile and Apps on. And use my old SATA Maxtor for storage.

-Por

 

[Alptraum]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
Well the memory isn't so much of an issue because I have tweaked WinXP Pro to boot using under 120MB of memory. It's just when I start playing Desert Combat or Star Wars Galaxies is when it gets laggy. But it looks like a hard disk is the way to go for now. Guess I'll wait for the 76GB Raptor to fall in price since I won't buy a ball-bearing hard disk.

Thank you!

-Por

I would get more RAM. I play SWG as well and it usually uses up around 490-500 megs just for it. With other stuff I have running in the backgroup whenever I am playing SWG I am generally using 800 to 900 megs. I am just under my 1gig usually. I can see in the not too distant future probably putting another gig in my machine. I also have a 36gig Raptor and it only takes WinXP pro a few seconds to boot for me. But for stuff like this I bet you will see a larger difference with the RAM.

 

[zodder]

I agree with the above poster. When I played SWG, going from 512 to 1 gig made a huge difference when running around in town. In fact, it seems to make all games run 100% smooth.

 

[Thor86]

Originally posted by: zodder
I agree with the above poster. When I played SWG, going from 512 to 1 gig made a huge difference when running around in town. In fact, it seems to make all games run 100% smooth.

Less harddrive thrashing to create a bigger pagefile is the largest benefit of 1gb of ram.