RAM in Computer

[Julio.]

Okie, I am currently running Windows XP, and am looking to upgrade to a 64bit Windows 7

I know everything except my RAM is suitable, I currently have 2GB in one slot.

I have a MicroATX Motherboard, and it only contains 2 RAM slots, would I be better buying a 4GB stick to go with the 2GB, so my setupt would be 6GB total, or would I be better off just adding 2GB so I have 2x2GB, 4 GB total.

Which would be better price vs Performance wise?

Joe

[cDa]

32 bit version of windows only "sees" 3.2 gb of ram, so if you have 18gb, and run win 32 bit, you will only see 3.2 gb,

Atm you have 2gb with 32bit, that is quite enough, if you plan to go for 4gb, 64bit system is advised

[Reece]

I wouldn't mix ram sizes, can cause shit loads of issues, slow system performance etc. If I was to choose from the option you guys, for stability, I would recommend 2x2gb, however ensure these are the same speed, because again it can cause issues.

However, if you can wait, I would get a single 4GB stick or, if you can, an 8Gb stick.

[Julio.]

32 bit version of windows only "sees" 3.2 gb of ram, so if you have 18gb, and run win 32 bit, you will only see 3.2 gb,

Atm you have 2gb with 32bit, that is quite enough, if you plan to go for 4gb, 64bit system is advised

I said I was looking towards buying 64 bit Windows 7

I've been told 2x2GB is faster than one single 4, why is this?

[Leon_Mokomaki]

Because your mobo probably has Dual channel memory. That means that RAM work faster in pairs than a single stick. Although i call BS for this on daily use. Probably only shows in benchmarks.

I recently upgraded from Windows XP 32 and 2GB Single channel RAM to Windows 7 64 and bought a 2nd 2GB stick (2x2gb)
This solved my GTA IV textures not loading. And now while playing it i see RAM usage going up to 3GB

[Julio.]

ideally, I want a 4GB stick now,to go with the 2GB, then a 4GB later to match them up

[DellStorm]

Hi Joedaman633

Best practice? 2GB | 2GB

Windows 7 Can manage perfectly fine with 2GB of ram, So first off try Windows 7 64bit without it. If after about a week you feel your system clogs up too fast and that its too slow for you I would consider going to 2GB. This way you have matched your system up and because you have 2 working slots you will improve your memory throughput significantly.

After the 4GB marker you are loosing the performance value over the extra amount of ram added. For the average system Windows 7 takes up anywhere between  1GB and 1.5GB of Memory. After that it depends how program intensive you are.

If you are only playing SAMP And don't open up more than 10 browser tabs at a time in one web browser then I recommend 2GB.

If you never shut any of your programs off, Open anywhere between 10 to 30 tabs and keep them open and never restart your computer then I would recommend you go with the 4GB Scheme. In terms of overall performance boost After a certain point ( lets call it 3.5GB ) You Do not see that much of a difference as the majority of the spare ram is not used until needed (Sleeping or Standby memory).

I have 1 Computer with 2GB of ram running Windows 7 32bit and it works fine for SAMP And normal internet browsing.

I have 1 Laptop with 8GB of ram and I find that It still does the same thing job performance wise, the only difference is I can leave about 130 Processes running for 2 weeks and I never get any clog up issues with random program crashes, but I did have to pay for that and I had to replace my existing 3GB of ram which is now sat useless.

So a word of warning, think closely what you need the Ram for and if its worth while waiting until there's a deal on at some website where you can get good ram cheaper down the line.

Best of luck with your choice. Regards, DellStorm

[Julio.]

Ah, you see, with the RAM it is not worth waiting

I have DDR2, the newest is DDR3, the RAM is just going to spiral up in price.

My brother has a laptop with 4GB RAM on Vista and it clogs up. Windows 7 should not?

And which would I be more likely to notice performance boost, 2x2GB in Dual Channel Arrangement, or 2GB and 4GB not in Dual Channel?

EDIT: I heard GTA IV takes up a lot, and I want that at some point.

[Leon_Mokomaki]

And which would I be more likely to notice performance boost, 2x2GB in Dual Channel Arrangement, or 2GB and 4GB not in Dual Channel?

2x2GB Still. You wouldnt ever use 6GB anytime soon anyway.
RAM usage in GTA IV with Win7 64 is about 3 gigs

[Julio.]

Went with the 2GBx2 option

Its the same spec RAM, same speed etc, but one is about double the height of the other. I was like 'wut'

[Leon_Mokomaki]

The taller one probably has a heatsink on it. To help heat dissapear faster

[Julio.]

The taller one probably has a heatsink on it. To help heat dissapear faster

Quite literally, you know the green board the elctrics are mounted on the RAM, well on the little one you can barely see it, on the larger one the 'Green' section sticks up more.

Seems like the only difference