Posted: 8/21/2010 6:55:42 PM EDT
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What will upping my RAM from 512 to 1024 do?
I've found a 512 stick for about $20 and I'd like to know what it woould do. |
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Okay, cool, I get to convey some knowledge!
RAM = Random Access Memory It allows your computer to temporarily store information, so that it can access it again. Information can be accessed MUCH quicker if it's stored in RAM, and many programs use RAM (Including web surfing). As you use more programs, or more demanding programs, it will take up more RAM. Honestly, 512 is VERY little memory, so I'm guessing your computer is more than 5 years old, if not closer to 7-10. Upgrading from 512 to 1024, even without doing any other system fixes, will make it seem like a new computer 99% of the time. Upgrading memory from that long ago might be a little tricky. It has to be the right KIND, and the right speed. If you want to replace all the RAM in your computer it might be cheaper, and easier, in a sense. try going to Corsair Memory Finder OR Crucial Memory Finder The second one will probably be easier to use, as you can just click "Find my Memory" |
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Also, look to see how your system is set up now? Do you have 1 512 mb stick, or 2 256 meg sticks. If you have 2, you would have to take one out, so the gain would be even less. Do you have problems now? Is your computer to slow? For 20.00, I think it would be worth it if you are planning to keep the computer for a while, but I think a good reformat would do a lot more good. |
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Quoted: What will upping my RAM from 512 to 1024 do? I've found a 512 stick for about $20 and I'd like to know what it woould do. The memory stick you found BETTER be the Very Same Kind - Excluding total Memory - that the Original PC is already using. I'm talking about memory speed, DDR and a whole lot of other factors. Just adding a memory stick alone doesn't mean the new memory will work. For instance, I swapped a pair of 2GB DDR3-1066 PC3-8500 CL7 256x64 SODIMM for a pair of 4GB DDR3-1066 PC3-8500 CL7 512x64 SODIMM The lettering for speeds and such better match or else it won't work. ALSO: Some OS cannot handle larger memory without massive tweaking by an expert. Bring it down to a PC store and have them checkout the memory specs. They can be very different very easily. CompTIA A+ Certified PC Tech.  |
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Quoted:
Some OS cannot handle larger memory without massive tweaking by an expert. Bring it down to a PC store and have them checkout the memory specs. They can be very different very easily.[/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; '] [/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; '] [/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; ']CompTIA A+ Certified PC Tech.[/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; '] [/span][/div][/div]
At last! The voice of reason! I find it quite amusing that none of you Einsteins bothered to figure out WTF he had before throwing advice at him. As well as I know Pic, its a wooden computer from the stone age! |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Some OS cannot handle larger memory without massive tweaking by an expert. Bring it down to a PC store and have them checkout the memory specs. They can be very different very easily.[/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; '] [/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; '] [/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; ']CompTIA A+ Certified PC Tech.[/span][/div][div][span style='font-size: 13.3333px; '] [/span][/div][/div]
At last! The voice of reason! [span style='color: red;']I find it quite amusing that none of you Einsteins bothered to figure out WTF he had before throwing advice at him.[/span] As well as I know Pic, its a wooden computer from the stone age! Skip over post #5?  We tried 
And its true, unless its running a 64bit OS, it wont even recognize anything above a certain amount (like 3gb). |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
What will upping my RAM from 512 to 1024 do? I've found a 512 stick for about $20 and I'd like to know what it woould do. The memory stick you found BETTER be the Very Same Kind - Excluding total Memory - that the Original PC is already using. I'm talking about memory speed, DDR and a whole lot of other factors. Just adding a memory stick alone doesn't mean the new memory will work. For instance, I swapped a pair of 2GB DDR3-1066 PC3-8500 CL7 256x64 SODIMM for a pair of 4GB DDR3-1066 PC3-8500 CL7 512x64 SODIMM The lettering for speeds and such better match or else it won't work. ALSO: Some OS cannot handle larger memory without massive tweaking by an expert. Bring it down to a PC store and have them checkout the memory specs. They can be very different very easily. CompTIA A+ Certified PC Tech. What are you talking about? |
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Quoted:
[ As well as I know Pic, its a wooden computer from the stone age! Pretty close. It's a Gobook 2, a 1.7 processor, w/512 RAM and a 40 gig HD. I didn't buy it because it was fast, I bought it to take into the field and to sea with me. It does what I want it to. I can surf, email and write with it and that's all I really want out of it. |
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The gobooks don't look like real powerhouses, but ram is cheap, and 512 is on the low side. None of my systems are below 2gb. This. RAM is the easiest way to boost what most users call 'speed' (responsiveness is a better term) 512 MB is pretty minimal these days... I think you will notice a difference in both response time and battery life (because of fewer disk hits) ETA: Whoops, happy posting finger syndrome 
Adding RAM is a definite plus IMHO. Whether the specific item you are looking at will be useful in your system is a different matter. There are plenty of places that sell RAM online that have 'configurator' apps. Look to see what your upgrade options are. If it is a workable upgrade go for it, you'll like the improvement. |
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More is always better when it comes to RAM. A 32 bit OS is only capable of addressing 4GB of RAM, but the practical limit of what it can utilize is generally less (closer to 3GB). I remember when I built a system with 512MB and people drooled. I wouldn't go with less than 4GB on a new system nowadays, unless it was intended solely for mundane office type tasks. |