How Much RAM do you have?

[cy7878]

I am thinking about adding to my Thinkpad X31. I have 512MB installed now and there is another open bank I can add to. Anyone feel that another 512MB or more will have any difference? Newegg sell a 512MB module for less than $100. 1 GB module is about $220.

I do mostly web browsing, with frequent Powerpoint prep and occ photoshop editing of simple images. I also sometimes use my laptop to watch stored movies while working. What do people think?

 

[Tostada]

If you were editing huge Photoshop files it would help, but from what you describe I doubt you'd notice any improvement at all.

Go into Task Manager's Performance tab and just look at the Page File Usage History and Physical Memory Available to see if you're even using the RAM you've got.

 

[thuned]

Nah, unless when you say web browsing you mean opening 9 windows of IE plus loading up on 3 30meg+ powerpoint projects, you should be fine. What, in particular, do you think is "slow"? If nothing's slow, then why bother spending more money? I think if you have the money to spend, you'll get a lot more of a speed boost if you get a 7200rpm drive.

 

[cy7878]

I guess I'm just thinking about adding RAM because there is an open slot. All my experience tells me 512 MB is plenty. In fact my 1.7 GHZ Pent M is already feeling faster than my 2.53GHZ desktop, but I guess I just wanted to see what you all thought. Thanks

 

[nortexoid]

depends what apps you run and how much multitasking you do.

i can get by on 256MB, but i upgraded to 768 because i keep all the apps i use open. it saves on battery power because the hdd isn't constantly being accessed when opening/closing windows, and it's faster because everything's already open.

i'd upgrade.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

Spend the money on a 7200rpm drive and save on the ram, that's where you'll see a noticeable difference IMO.

 

[nortexoid]

Originally posted by: PeeluckyDuckee
Spend the money on a 7200rpm drive and save on the ram, that's where you'll see a noticeable difference IMO.

negative.

 

[trexpesto]

Originally posted by: cy7878
I guess I'm just thinking about adding RAM because there is an open slot. All my experience tells me 512 MB is plenty. In fact my 1.7 GHZ Pent M is already feeling faster than my 2.53GHZ desktop, but I guess I just wanted to see what you all thought. Thanks

Consider mo ram for your desktop then..

 

[jimmyl930]

256mb on laptop
512mb on desktop

 

[peacemaker1ps]

512 mb

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: peacemaker1ps
512 mb

 

[jai6638]

i need to get 512 mb ddr ram.. which one should i go for regardless of price?? crucial , corsair, kingston or transcend??

thanks

 

[juancferrer]

1GB RAM on a T42.

and to the OP: I would upgrade the hdd to a 7200rpm. My T42 has a 1.7 dothan, and 1GB ram, but the 5400rpm hdd just kills it. It's dog slow loading windows, but after that, I don't notice it as much.
i might upgrade to a 7200rpm drive whenever i get the money.

 

[jdiddy]

1GB on my Gateway 200x, 512MB on my IBM x31 and 1GB on my desktop.