When is RAM too much?

[Stiganator]

I have heard that after a certain amount of RAM it begins to slow your system down. How much is that?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

That problem was pretty much solved with on die L2 cache, before that it was chipset dependant.

 

[Locutus4657]

<< That problem was pretty much solved with on die L2 cache, before that it was chipset dependant. >>



This problem affected Intels socket 7 chipset (can't remember the whole name, beleived it ended in LX). Other than that one exception (memory > 64MB slowed the system down) the general rule is more memory will only speed your system up. Of course for the average user the benifit begins to level off at a certain point as you can easily end up having more memory than you can use, but certainly in the world of the high end, more memory always equals more preformance.

 

[CTho9305]

for win9x/me, dont go above, uh, 512 I think. But then again, if you have a lot of ram and want a good system, you shouldn't be running 9x anyway

 

[CTho9305]

oh, and don't get more than 4 gig
(its a joke. 32-bit can only address 4 gig unless you work magic)

 

[Demon-Xanth]

<< This problem affected Intels socket 7 chipset (can't remember the whole name, beleived it ended in LX). Other than that one exception (memory > 64MB slowed the system down) the general rule is more memory will only speed your system up. Of course for the average user the benifit begins to level off at a certain point as you can easily end up having more memory than you can use, but certainly in the world of the high end, more memory always equals more preformance. >>



It affected the entire 430*X line at 64MB with the exception of the NX and HX when equipped with 512kB L2 cache (w/ TAGRAM). It also affects the Ali5 (at 128MB). Putting a K6-2+, K6-3, or K6-3+ allows you to cache the maximum amount of RAM that the chipset can handle. This is due to the on die L2 cache.

...yes, I have seen the effects, it is VERY noticable.

 

[Locutus4657]

<< oh, and don't get more than 4 gig
(its a joke. 32-bit can only address 4 gig unless you work magic) >>



Current generation x86 32bit CPU's have a 36bit memory bus allowing them to address up to 64GB however accessing this much in code becomes messy.

 

[CTho9305]

<<

<< oh, and don't get more than 4 gig
(its a joke. 32-bit can only address 4 gig unless you work magic) >>



Current generation x86 32bit CPU's have a 36bit memory bus allowing them to address up to 64GB however accessing this much in code becomes messy. >>



yeah, the linux kernel has a special option for boxes with >4gig

 

[Priit]

I found this page to be very informative about chipsets and their cacheing abilities.