need more RAM for PP (photoshop), just get new computer?

[pennylane]

I'm currently running an Athlon 64 3200 with 1 gig (512 x 2) of DDR1 RAM. However, I only have 2 RAM slots in my motherboard (I did not foresee needing more RAM before possibly needing another computer, I guess). I also have an AGP video card (6800GT).

I mainly use my PC for photoshopping and hardly for gaming or anything else. I run Windows XP which I'm happy to run. My computer has never crashed on me. And it's dead silent from farther than 3 feet away. I'm slightly attached to it because it just works the way I want it to.

I could currently buy a 2 GB (2x1) set of RAM to get to 2 GB. This would cost me ~$100. I'd surely get a boost in memory, which is the only thing I desperately need a boost in. Photoshop seems fast enough except for the RAM. The only downside to that, for me, is that I'm afraid of needing to upgrade the whole thing again in less than a year. I'm hoping it can last at least another 2 years perhaps. Do I really need more than an A64 3200 for photoshopping and making panoramas?

Or I could just screw it and get a new cpu/mobo/RAM/vid card/3rd party heatsinks (and possibly power supply). That would cost me in the neighborhood of $5-600 I'd imagine. I'd be set for awhile. I could have 3 or 4 GB of RAM instead of just 2. But I'd have to set everything up, go paranoid with silencing the sodding machine (I hate noise--I'm an acoustical consultant), and inconvenience myself re-installing and making sure everything works right.

The other side benefit of just grabbing the DDR1 RAM is I could put the money towards a nicer/bigger/more accurate monitor. My current LCD is like 4.5 years old and I imagine things have gotten a LOT better.

What do you think I should do?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I would just get a new computer. Isn't DDR1 kinda expensive compared to DDR2? I really like dual cores for doing panoramas because they can get pretty CPU intensive, and that can sometimes mean you're effectively locked out of your computer as your CPU is madly chugging away. 2GB of RAM IMO isn't that much for panoramas and stuff. Back when I had 2GB I routinely maxed it out.

I would set aside $300 for a really nice monitor that you'll be using for years to come.

Maybe get a really cheap Dell or something that comes preinstalled with a dual core CPU, Windows, and plop in your existing hard drives and a couple more sticks of RAM?

EDIT: rest of message moved to PM

 

[The Stigenator]

Dude, I run a 2.4 Celeron with 512mb ram, its not the fastest but hell its my laptop, it goes with me and thats what I run. I have no problems doing things with it. Its almost 4 years old (got it in 2003 fall semester) .

I have done panaroma's and stuff, sure it takes some time, but its not too bad, let it run and it does its job. If anybody who needs a new computer, or added ram, its me! But right now i do not foresee one, cause this one is running and running good as far as i can see. My needs are met, hell its faster than the dell laptop that I have at work.

 

[OdiN]

Yeah I'd also recommend a dual core of some kind. 2GB of RAM. Only reason you'd need to upgrade the video card is that it isn't PCI-e.

 

[PHiuR]

Since you're paranoid about having to soundproof your system, I'd say just keep it...unless you're processing HUGE files, I don't see why you need a faster processor. Instead of getting a new system, just upgrade the ram to 2gigs and also upgrade your main drive and/or scratch disk to a 10,000 RPM drive.

This will hugely improve your speeds with a fast scratch and with 2 gigs of ram. You'll think you have a new system once you install those two parts.