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Memory upgrade pointless?
I have a K62-400 CPU with 128MB (2-64MB modules) RAM running Win98. Would it be worthwhile to put another 128MB (1-128MB module) in this machine? I seem to have this notion in my head that there comes a point where upgrading a certain component has little or no benefit unless other certain components are also upgraded. Would your answer to this question be influenced in any way by the price of the DIMM module (<$150)? I welcome totally subjective opinions but am really looking for objective facts.
Thanks
Thanks
I agree that it would not be worthwhile unless you are using some really intensive programs...
Mind you, if you have a spare $150 lying around, I can't see it doing any harm... it'd probably save you upgrading for an extra couple of years.
Mind you, if you have a spare $150 lying around, I can't see it doing any harm... it'd probably save you upgrading for an extra couple of years.
Add my vote to the above. Hold on to the money and buy yourself a nice CDRW if you don't have one, You'll got a ton more use out of it then the extra RAM
Happy computing
Happy computing
You have to check to see if you are doing a lot of swapping to disk. If not, then you have sufficient memory, if Yes, then add more RAM !!.
I disagree, I find that the more RAM you give 98/NT the faster the OS runs as a whole. Remember the more RAM you have the less virtual memory swaping the system has to do.
on the note of virtual memory:
If you set the minimum and maximum to the same value you avoid the slow down caused by the resizing of the virt. mem. file.
If you aren't using any really memory intensive applications, you could set the size to 100MB or so and have plenty of memory space.
You gan always re-adjust as needed.
I have a second HDD and I set up a partition specifically for the virt. mem. at the front of that HDD.
I made it a few MB larger than my swapfile to avoid any potential probs.
I use a lot of graphics and I have the space so I made my virt. mem. size 1GB min/max.
I have noticed a general increase in performance.
128MB RAM is more than adequate for Win98, but, if you're running games or other graphics another 64MB would show a system performance increase.
You will notice a decrease in software installation times (depending on how close to your HDD speed limit you already are).
If you set the minimum and maximum to the same value you avoid the slow down caused by the resizing of the virt. mem. file.
If you aren't using any really memory intensive applications, you could set the size to 100MB or so and have plenty of memory space.
You gan always re-adjust as needed.
I have a second HDD and I set up a partition specifically for the virt. mem. at the front of that HDD.
I made it a few MB larger than my swapfile to avoid any potential probs.
I use a lot of graphics and I have the space so I made my virt. mem. size 1GB min/max.
I have noticed a general increase in performance.
128MB RAM is more than adequate for Win98, but, if you're running games or other graphics another 64MB would show a system performance increase.
You will notice a decrease in software installation times (depending on how close to your HDD speed limit you already are).
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If you're the average user, then it's pointless - don't bother upgrading. If you're the power user, especially if you do anything significant with graphics, it may well help when using those programs.
If you upgrade to Windows 2000 (to run a REAL 32bit OS - 9x graphics subsystem is still mostly 16bit - NT/2000 has a true 32bit graphics subsystem). Then yes, BUY THE MEMORY. NT/2000 uses memory a bit differently and the more physical RAM you have, the faster the system you'll have - though as you increase, the performance gains will be less and less - but it will still help.
If you upgrade to Windows 2000 (to run a REAL 32bit OS - 9x graphics subsystem is still mostly 16bit - NT/2000 has a true 32bit graphics subsystem). Then yes, BUY THE MEMORY. NT/2000 uses memory a bit differently and the more physical RAM you have, the faster the system you'll have - though as you increase, the performance gains will be less and less - but it will still help.
I agree. More Ram is better is a theory, but for now $ave putting it on MB. For graphics, consider getting bigtime ram for bigtime graphics card. I hear that some new tools and games suffer with less than 32 MB while their 3D cards normaly do not slot half that high.
When buying, think/plan for expandability down the road
When buying, think/plan for expandability down the road
ASKER
I thank you all for your responses. It was hard to determine who to accept but jhance had the best OBJECTIVE response. SunBow gave me something to think about, though, and this prompts me to post a separate, follow-up question.
I liked the dialog on resources too.
bill