Will 4gb of system ram make any real difference over 2gb as far as game performance?

Grackus · May 20, 2008, 04:59 AM

I'm running x2 4800+, 8800gts (320gb), 2gb ddr2 800 (6400), 500gb hdd on Windows XP.

So I just ordered 2gb more of system ram...freaking cheap ($45).

Think it will make much difference?

**kris23** · May 20, 2008, 05:23 AM

whats your OS? and whats your game? if you are using Vista and playing Crysis, then yea definitely

woops, didnt see XP, im assuming that its 32-bit as very few get x64

it will help a bit, but not too much, theres no harm in adding it as youre definitely going to need it eventually....

OldBuzzard · May 20, 2008, 05:32 AM

You say you are using XP.

If it's the 32-bit version it will help some, but not as much as you might expect, as XP 32-bit will only be able to use a tad over 3GB.

If it's 64-bit XP then it will help more.

In either case, it won't HURT, and with RAM being so cheap...go for it.

Judas · May 20, 2008, 05:15 PM

if it's 32bit... in some very specific cases.. i've seen the jump from 2gb to 4gb actually hinder performance (chipset issues?)

An AMD X2 running windows Vista 64bit is very very slick.... It's worthwhile installing vista on that machine (but motherboard model would make the deciding factor)

ChaosMinionX · May 20, 2008, 06:51 PM

2GB to 4GB will not show any real differences in gaming, unless its something that uses more than your current 2GB of RAM.

As far as overall system performance? If your using Vista 64 you will see a big difference, if your using XP 64bit, not so much.

procupine14 · May 23, 2008, 07:41 PM

yeah basically the same thing that everyone else has said. Vista 64 with a high demand game would yield a very noticeable increase in performance. Then the performance jump get smaller as you move to a 32 bit operating system

May 20, 2008, 04:59 AM	#1
Grackus DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 30 Rep Power: 0	Will 4gb of system ram make any real difference over 2gb as far as game performance? I'm running x2 4800+, 8800gts (320gb), 2gb ddr2 800 (6400), 500gb hdd on Windows XP. So I just ordered 2gb more of system ram...freaking cheap ($45). Think it will make much difference?

May 20, 2008, 05:23 AM	#2
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,018 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	whats your OS? and whats your game? if you are using Vista and playing Crysis, then yea definitely woops, didnt see XP, im assuming that its 32-bit as very few get x64 it will help a bit, but not too much, theres no harm in adding it as youre definitely going to need it eventually.... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums! Last edited by kris23; May 20, 2008 at 05:38 AM.

May 20, 2008, 05:32 AM	#3
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	You say you are using XP. If it's the 32-bit version it will help some, but not as much as you might expect, as XP 32-bit will only be able to use a tad over 3GB. If it's 64-bit XP then it will help more. In either case, it won't HURT, and with RAM being so cheap...go for it. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

May 20, 2008, 06:51 PM	#5
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	2GB to 4GB will not show any real differences in gaming, unless its something that uses more than your current 2GB of RAM. As far as overall system performance? If your using Vista 64 you will see a big difference, if your using XP 64bit, not so much. __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

May 23, 2008, 07:41 PM	#6
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	yeah basically the same thing that everyone else has said. Vista 64 with a high demand game would yield a very noticeable increase in performance. Then the performance jump get smaller as you move to a 32 bit operating system __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU