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Would it be worth getting 256 MB more Ram?

S

ScottyB_

Senior member

I am getting this new system by 1/15.
Would it be worth getting 256 MB more Ram?
I can get it for $100

Processor AMD Athlon 1200MHz Processor with New Performance Enhancing Cache Memory
Memory 256MB 133MHz SDRAM (1-256 module)
Hard Drive 60GB 7200RPM Ultra ATA Hard Drive
Floppy Drive 3.5" 1.44MB diskette drive
DVD 16X/40X DVD-ROM Drive
Recordable/ReWriteable 12x/8x/32x CDRW
Video 64MB DDR NVIDIA GeForce2 Ultra Graphics w/TV Out
Sound Card SoundBlaster Live w/ Digital Audio Output
Speakers Boston Acoustics® BA7500 Dolby Digital SST Speakers & Sub
Modem Home Networking/56K Modem Combo Card
Case Gateway Mid-Tower Case
Keyboard Multi-Function Keyboard
ControllerCard Ultra ATA 100 Controller for Windows
Expansion slots Five PCI and One 4X AGP
Mouse PS/2 Mouse and Gateway Mouse Pad
Operating System Microsoft® Windows® Millennium Edition
 
If you were using Windows 2000 Pro then yes get more RAM. But with Windows ME I don't think you'd need more.
 
I have almost the same system but a KT7 raid and I have 512 pc133 cas2 and I dont notice a difference from when I had 256 unless I am playing Quake3 in 1600x1200. Textures are accessed faster it seems. I just like braggin that I have 512mb of ram.

>=)
 
Would it be a useless by though, I am taking it to college and need to use it for class homework for Computer Science (and gaming).
 
you'll want the 256mb of ram if you're running win2k and photoshop or other graphic apps.
 
Nice system! By the looks of it, you will be dropping a fair chunk of change on it. What the heck. Spend another $100 and get the extra ram.
 
If you stick with WinME for an OS the extra RAM will put you well beyond the point of diminishing returns in all but a few specific applications, e.g., PhotoShop. On the other hand, RAM is cheap right now and I've never seen an instance where future hardware and software developments called for less RAM. Finally, there are those all important bragging rights to be considered. And you just can't put a price tag on those! 😉
 
If your going for more tan 256 you NEED to get win2k as an OS.
I had 256 then upgraded to 512.. I;ve seen no noticable difference but then agian I don't know what could make this old system faster.

Gatsby - 902
 
Damn nice rig 🙂

i'd say if you have the extra money, why not 😀

well it does depend on what you plan on using that comp for...if you do graphics (3D especially) or lots of gaming i'd say go for it, can't hurt ya.
 
no, if you already have 256megs don't bother getting more, not unless you plan on doing lots of audio and video editing. You won't notice the difference in games, e-mail, programming, surfing, booting your computer, office, etc
 



on second thought . . . actually do get that 256megs, set the second 256 as a ram drive, would improve system performance since it would never use the hard drive as virtual memory

I didn't say to disable virtual memory, windows has a fit about that, but set it up as a ram drive and tell windows to use it for virtual memory.

should make the system somewhat faster.

if you don't know how to setup a ram drive, look around online, i suggest starting with google.com



 
i would probably pop for Win98SE simply because ME has its problems..Oh and unless you intend to have 3D Studio Max and Photoshop open at the same time to do some modeling, or your course (which i doubt) has some apps that yum down memory, i would say leave the extra RAM till later.
 
I say cancle your order with gateway and save $1000 and build your system yourself if your takeing computer scince you should want to learn how to build a system. Last night you said something about compatibilaty problems those are a thing of the past for the most part I think use w98se and you will have no problems plus you will feel better everytime you turn your system on Knowing that you built it......
 
I say get the ram. I've had too many PC's turn into boat anchors too early because of not enough ram.

Memory gets very cheap at the end of its life cycle (ex. SDRAM) as companies ramp up to manufacture the next big thing (DDRAM, Rambus). But then, inventory runs out and prices go up again. IMHO prices for 128mb SDRAM will be over $100 again by next Christmas.

This is especially true for CompSci majors who seem to turn every old box they have ever owned into some kind of server or auxiliary device.
 
Get the ram now and leave your computer alone for a while. Some game developers like who make unreal say 256mb will help paging to the hard drive. Now when their next game comes out like 3 years after the original do we not think ram requirements will have gone up? Plus what about for multiplayer games where more ram is essential? I don't know about the windows addressing thing for performance issues but soon if not already more than 256mb ram will be needed for power hungry games its just inevitable. Crap some games require 128mb or more already right? windows alone needs 64mb just to run I think.

I made my system around a month ago and went with 512mb crucial pc133 cas2 ram so I know Im good for the next year with games atleast which is what I deal with the majority of the time.

I can't say I noticed a performance difference though from 256-512, although a very apparent one from 128-256.
 
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