1GB ram vs 512MB ram?

[stratego]

I would like to know if upgrading my computer's RAM to 1GB will help my computer with speed or is 512MB enough for what I'm doing.

Average computer usage: (running simultaneously)
-AIM
-MS Word or Powerpoints
-some P2P fileshare program.
-MATLAB
-Some mp3 player
-Firefox

 

[MarineCorps]

512MB should be fine unless your planning to play games along the lines of doom 3

 

[WildFire]

Unless your AIM has some weird mod where you can play FPS games online, you're fine.

 

[Dida]

512mb is more than enough, in my opinion.

 

[Zelig]

After checking out what MATLAB is, I think you'd notice an increase in speed.

If you go to the task manager (ctrl+shift+escape) and hit the performance tab, how much physical memory is marked as available? You *never* want this number to fall too low on Windows XP systems.

 

[MarineCorps]

512mb is more than enough, in my opinion.

Not really. I think if your running XP 512 is what you should have. Theres one computer in my house that has 128 and is slow as hell and another that has 256 and isn't all that much faster.

 

[Grisu]

for the most applications 512MB is enough. Matlab, however, is a memory-hog, so you might notice a speed improvement there (ok, it depends on what kind of calculations you do).

 

[Dida]

my computer has 256, and it runs alrite. although 512 would be better.
i don't use MATLAB though, I mostly use Maple.

 

[wit>trope]

Longhorn might require 1 gig. I don't know that much about computers

 

[Dida]

Longhorn might require 1 gig. I don't know that much about computers

I need to figure out how to pirate Longhorn first, before getting to use it.

 

[Cassius Maius]

If you want an efficient multitasking system I recommend having at least 1Gb of ram

 

[aneeshm]

If you're running MATLAB , then go for the increased RAM ( but I'd have said that anyway - I'm a RAM/performance junkie ) .

 

[HAND]

512MB should be fine unless your planning to play games along the lines of doom 3

I've seen doom3 run well on 512mb ram.... but Battlefield 2 is a real resource hog, lots of BF2 players are now on 2Gb for smooth play.. 1Gb is enough for me...

 

[farting bob]

IMO 512 DDR RAM is enough for everrything except gaming. Unless you play 12 DVD sized videos at once for some reason.
I think upgrading to new expensive RAM is a complete waste for most people. Theres often more effective ways to boost performance.
I have 768mb RAM (a 512 and a 256) and It handles everything i through at it, but then i dont have new games like doom3, because that would require new graphics card, processor and motherboard to play. But at least my RAM hold up.

 

[Civrules]

I am thinking of upgrading to 1GB myself. Sure 512 us enough, but 1GB still will make a performance boost.

Besides, RAM upgrades are not as expensive these days. It is the least expensive way to upgrade in performance.

 

[Zelig]

Heh, I'm upgrading up to 2Gb as soon as my order gets to my house.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

512mb is enough, keyword is enough. But upgrade to 1gb and your load will run a lot smoother. It is one upgrade you will not regret. If you watch downloaded movies your computer will be a lot more responsive when you try to skip ahead to other scenes etc. It would also add some time to how long your box stays usefull if you ever upgrade to Vista.

Most of the newer apps are optimized when running at 1gb(its the sweet spot) with most highend games running best at 2gb. BF2 is optimized at 2gb ram. Upgrading to 4gb can actually have some drawbacks on a 32bit xp desktop.

Not all ram is equal either. A while ago I upgraded to 1gb by adding another generic 512mb stick and it was well worth it. But recently I replaced it with a pair of daul channel corsair sticks and I feel like I just upgraded to a whole new desktop.

 

[Raggamuffin]

I recently upgraded from 512 to 1Gb and I noticed of course some difference. Especially in loading times. But it was far from the difference I experienced from 256 to 512. Still I'd recommend an upgrade, it won't be long before the standard is 1gig. Plus as someone pointed out RAM is cheap, and if you consider the performance/price ratio, RAM is the best way to go.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Exactly the question Ive had in mind since I got my new video card. I installed Doom 3, it looks gorgeous, but it does get a little choppy at timesthough, particularly when theres alot of shooting going on. Currently I have 512. Going up to 1GB seems to be a no brainer, that should take care of the choppiness. Not that expensive either like Civrules said.

 

[Comraddict]

512MB is not enough if you do any design, or gaming. My laptop performs much better with 768MB, I had 512MB before.