Upgrade to 768 MB DDR RAM = BIG Improvement!

Dyre Straits · Jun 28, 2004, 03:24 AM

I haven't actually had much to complain about with my current gaming machine. BUT, it IS getting 'old' pretty quickly in light of all the newer technology that's come out the past 2 -3 years.

Lately, I've been playing Star Wars - Knights of the Old Republic and it's been playing quite well actually. However, one thing that was annoying was when the game would go to a cutscene. During this time, I've had the screen completely come to a halt for several seconds before it would continue with the movie.

Today, I purchased a single stick of 512 MB PC2100 and added it to one of my current 256 MB sticks. Not only has this improved the game's performance, but, the movies no longer hesitate for even one second! I'm quite pleased with this as this current system will become my 'back-up' system once PCIe is out and a bit matured.

I'm also playing the game with Aniso set to 8X and it's looking really, really good. System specs in the sig below:

EDIT: Also, this is the first time I've been able to successly exceed 512 MB System RAM without causing other problems. I'm very happy about that, too!

Judas · Jun 28, 2004, 03:30 AM

yeah... jumping from 256mb to over 512 really REALLY shows off itself quickly

Dyre Straits · Jun 28, 2004, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Judas
yeah... jumping from 256mb to over 512 really REALLY shows off itself quickly

Actually, maybe I should have made it clearer in my original post....except that it was in my sig. I had 512 MB before adding the single 512 to one of the existing 256 MB sticks I had. Sadly, my board only has 2 memory slots.

BWX · Jun 28, 2004, 03:36 AM

Yeah, 256mb like you had before is not enough to run XP, let alone a video game- I wouldn't even bother playing any game with only 256mb. 768 is allot better, in your new system get 1gig or more. Right now I only have 2 x 256mb, but it's very very fast ram- even so- I need another 256 to 512 if I want to crank the IQ settings in Farcry- but games like CMR4, COD, and older games run great with no stuttering with only 512..

Pretty soon I think 1.5 to 2gigs will be a minimum for future games. But man, even cheap ram is expensive, a gig of top notch fast ram is insanely priced right now.. Hopefully the prices will come down a little soon, they usually fluctuate like that.

Judas · Jun 28, 2004, 03:44 AM

well for about 6 months.. i could pick up 512mb of damn good ram for $129 which is pretty damn awesome (can)..... now that same ram is selling for 169.99 and climbing.... not a good thing at all... I can however pick up a 1gb stick of same speed ram for just under $300..... so i can't complain about that.. (i myself can stuff 4gb into my board)

dipstick · Jun 28, 2004, 05:12 PM

Good to hear you are happy with your purchase. Ram is one of those things where you can truly say 'the more the better'

Have fun with KOTOR, its a great game..

Dyre Straits · Jun 28, 2004, 08:45 PM

The RAM I purchased yesterday is Kingston RAM, PC2100. I got it for $59.00 US.

Again, I need to emphasize that I previously HAD 512 MB (256 x 2 = 512) in the system and simply ADDED the 512 to one of my existing 256 sticks.

I'm having a BALL with KOTOR!!! Last evening I made it to Tatooine and got the 'assassin' droid. What a character!!! (I've been told this droid has been nominated for the 'best supporting character' in a video game. I can understand why. I've been laughing myself silly at some of its responses. LOL!

"2% chance he's just looking for trouble and I should use my blaster on him. But, maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part." What a hoot!!!

dipstick · Jun 28, 2004, 10:27 PM

haha, that guy is the best in the whole game. He's very funny and deserves that award no question

Vampyromaniac · Jun 29, 2004, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BWX
Yeah, 256mb like you had before is not enough to run XP, let alone a video game- I wouldn't even bother playing any game with only 256mb.

funny, win2000 ran non-current games fine with 256MB. painkiller and farcry ran, but not without some hiccups (well, more than "some" for farcry)
having only 256MB was the main reason I stayed with win2000
but now I have more, so

Judas · Jun 29, 2004, 01:52 AM

windows XP Pro.. here you come?

Jun 28, 2004, 03:36 AM	#4
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Yeah, 256mb like you had before is not enough to run XP, let alone a video game- I wouldn't even bother playing any game with only 256mb. 768 is allot better, in your new system get 1gig or more. Right now I only have 2 x 256mb, but it's very very fast ram- even so- I need another 256 to 512 if I want to crank the IQ settings in Farcry- but games like CMR4, COD, and older games run great with no stuttering with only 512.. Pretty soon I think 1.5 to 2gigs will be a minimum for future games. But man, even cheap ram is expensive, a gig of top notch fast ram is insanely priced right now.. Hopefully the prices will come down a little soon, they usually fluctuate like that. __________________

Jun 28, 2004, 05:12 PM	#6
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Good to hear you are happy with your purchase. Ram is one of those things where you can truly say 'the more the better' Have fun with KOTOR, its a great game..

Jun 28, 2004, 10:27 PM	#8
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	haha, that guy is the best in the whole game. He's very funny and deserves that award no question