RAM, How much is enough?

[PrimalGod]

So I have 512MB of Dual Channeled RAM and was thinking about getting another 256MB or 512MB (2700) How much of a performance increase do you guys think this would give? They are saying the recommended memory is 512 but....heh. Input? Insults?

 

[scribblehead]

i've got 512 dual ddr ram too (3200)...i think you'll do fine.

 

[Gordon'sFreeman]

depends on what games things you do, more ram faster load speeds and other stuff, so yeah hehe
get 256 more that should be fine.

 

[poseyjmac]

512 is enough for any game nowadays if you are running just the game. you might notice a small difference in load times with a gig of ram, but not much else.

but if you are the type that runs a lot of applications at once, then more ram might suit you fine.

 

[Tork]

hmm it depends on how much memory you use. getting more memory could help your computer if you are a heavy multi-tasker. If you really want to see performance increase get faster memory like PC3200 and increase your FSB. but then you would have to get set of PC3200's.

EDIT: how is your memory setup now ? 2 sticks of 256 ? or 1 stick of 512 ? also what type of motherboard do you have ?

 

[scribblehead]

dual usually mean 2 blocks of ram (identical 256 blocks)

 

[SidewinderX]

Well, more ram rarley hurts.

You dfont need it, but it would only help.

 

[PrimalGod]

yea, Im runnin with 2 256 sticks to get the Dual Channel feature. Would more RAM help bump up the FPS in any way, or is it primaraly just load times and additional resources for multiple applications running at the same time?

 

[Mehanika]

Primalgod: In some cases the ram memory can help with the fps, but it cant make it higher then what graphic card can crunch but it helps with the information betwean and therefore making the fps more stable. It doesnt have to gather information from the swap file on the harddrive as often with less memory.

(correct me if i am wrong plz i have to adapt)

 

[thehunter1320]

i don't think how much RAM is enuf.... i think the question is how much RAM is to much....

 

[A2597]

I just upgraded to 768 megs DDR. (from 512)
gamewise...loading times are a *little* better, not much. however I do alot of graphics stuff (3d) and I've noticed a boost there...

 

[qckbeam]

I would go with a gig. I read somewhere (I'll try to find the article for you) that in order to really run Half-Life 2 in all it's glory a gig or more is neccesary. They said 512MB of RAM was really a bare minimum if you want the game to look it's best, that's not to say you couldn't play with 512MB of RAM, it would just help with this game if you had 1 gig or more.

 

[KiNG]

yea i got two sticks of 512 Corsair XMS 3200 memory, i have no problems with any game or app.

 

[TrueWeltall]

Im going with a gig in my new machine, only 204$ corsair xms 2700.

 

[fractalbit]

I only have 256 :flame:

 

[theGreenBunny]

Valve info thread answers this:

Not for gameplay, although it would help if you are running a bunch of big demos back to back. Our demo machines at E3 had a gig so we could run through the demo sequence without ever hitting the hard drive.

on the question if upgrading from 512 to 768/1 gig would help.