An upgrade question about RAM

MikeDaMan · Oct 18, 2002, 03:48 AM

I currently have one stick of 256DDR PC-2100 Ram. I was thinking about upgrading with another stick of it. I would then have a total of 512DDR. Is it worth it? I mainly use my computer for gaming, would there be any noticable difference? Thanks.

Kelsenellenelvian · Oct 18, 2002, 03:51 AM

Hell yes it is worth it!!!!!

Frodo301 · Oct 18, 2002, 05:59 AM

If you are using Windows XP I think you will see a difference in overall system performance if you upgrade to 512. If you are still running Win 9X or ME stick with the 256 as I never noted a difference in performance when I upgraded from 256 to 512 in 98se. Individual results may vary though.

greenze · Oct 27, 2002, 06:25 AM

thx all

reno · Oct 27, 2002, 06:56 AM

512 all the way...especially for gaming. First thing you do, set your AGP apeture to 128MB, then you'll be crusin.

MikeDaMan · Oct 27, 2002, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reno
512 all the way...especially for gaming. First thing you do, set your AGP apeture to 128MB, then you'll be crusin.

I got the upgrade but how do I change the aperature size?

Zardon · Oct 27, 2002, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeDaMan
I got the upgrade but how do I change the aperature size?

depending on your specific motherboard that will be in the bios, AGP section.

~~JAV~~ · Oct 28, 2002, 12:42 AM

Quote:

512 all the way...especially for gaming. First thing you do, set your AGP apeture to 128MB, then you'll be crusin.

[SIZE=large]IF[/SIZE] you are running XP & [SIZE=large]IF[/SIZE] you have a 128mb vid card, [SIZE=large]THEN[/SIZE] I would agree.

For OS's that only use 100mb or less & a 64mb vid card > 512 is a waste of money. It also depends on the games. Comanche 4 & a *few* other will benefit from 128mb vid cards & more RAM. Not all games (or 3D Mark) do benefit.

For the future I *think* more RAM (video & system) is a wise choice, but to say unequivically "all the way" now > I disagree.

reno · Oct 28, 2002, 01:47 AM

Well, considering that it's been proven on PCstats.com that having an apeture of 128mb gives up to 10% more performance than one at 64mb...and considering WinXp (on my machine at least) eats about 42mb of ram...that would only leave poor 3dmark (which uses over 30mb) a scant 80 or so megs...which is just plain...small.

512 is what I consider the minimum for any computer worth deeming "for gaming." You DO notice it, even on Win98se!

~~JAV~~ · Oct 28, 2002, 10:09 AM

Reno,

I'm lost. If the AGP is set to 128mb then that is what is going to the card, why do you add the scant 80mb for 3D Mark?

256 - 42 = 214 for video & 128mb transfers to the card > leaves 86mb ready for the next transfer while the 128mb that was freed is being filled. AGP doesn't control how much the system RAM gets from the CPU, it is for system RAM to the card. By the time the 128mb is rendered, the system RAM will have at least 128mb ready for transfer again. Since the card doesn't render 128mb blocks in one fell swoop & the RAM doesn't transfer it only in 128mb blocks (that is the maximum it can transfer) > I don't understand what you are saying.

At 80fps in an average game, how many mbs is being rendered per second? I honestly don't know but I find it hard to believe 128mb is being used THAT fast. Is it?

reno · Oct 28, 2002, 02:35 PM

When I go into task manager, clean boot, I am at 340 some Mbs, because the Apeture eats up that 128megs which nothing else has access to...I've tested this also, for some odd reason, I lose about 700 3dmarks if I set my apeture to 64mb...and to test YOUR point, I removed a stick of 256mb and tested 3dmark with 128 and 64 meg apeture....128 scored me around 500 points lower, 64 meg was close to 1000....

It does make a difference, I dunno what uses the apeture, but SOMETHING does...

Oct 18, 2002, 03:48 AM	#1
MikeDaMan DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 874 Rep Power: 0	An upgrade question about RAM I currently have one stick of 256DDR PC-2100 Ram. I was thinking about upgrading with another stick of it. I would then have a total of 512DDR. Is it worth it? I mainly use my computer for gaming, would there be any noticable difference? Thanks. __________________ DFI Lanpart UT 250GB motherboard. 1GB 2X512 Crucial Ballistix PC 3200. AMD Athlon 64 3400+. Retail ATI Radeon X850XT PE AGP

Oct 18, 2002, 03:51 AM	#2
Kelsenellenelvian Master of my own Destiny Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: EverDawn Kingdom,TruEarth Posts: 1,395 Rep Power: 0	Hell yes it is worth it!!!!! __________________ [color=#0000ff] Download Windows Post-Install Wizard v4.3.8 and WPI Lite v1.2 Here [/color][color=red][color=blue][/color][/color]

Oct 18, 2002, 05:59 AM	#3
Frodo301 Outraged Join Date: May 2002 Location: The mountains Posts: 584 Rep Power: 0	Winxp, yes If you are using Windows XP I think you will see a difference in overall system performance if you upgrade to 512. If you are still running Win 9X or ME stick with the 256 as I never noted a difference in performance when I upgraded from 256 to 512 in 98se. Individual results may vary though. __________________ The greatest thing you'll every learn is to love, and be loved in return.

Oct 27, 2002, 06:56 AM	#5
reno Painlord of Ichor Join Date: May 2002 Location: bloinkin! Posts: 1,610 Rep Power: 0	512 512 all the way...especially for gaming. First thing you do, set your AGP apeture to 128MB, then you'll be crusin.

Oct 28, 2002, 01:47 AM	#9
reno Painlord of Ichor Join Date: May 2002 Location: bloinkin! Posts: 1,610 Rep Power: 0	fdghdf Well, considering that it's been proven on PCstats.com that having an apeture of 128mb gives up to 10% more performance than one at 64mb...and considering WinXp (on my machine at least) eats about 42mb of ram...that would only leave poor 3dmark (which uses over 30mb) a scant 80 or so megs...which is just plain...small. 512 is what I consider the minimum for any computer worth deeming "for gaming." You DO notice it, even on Win98se!

Oct 27, 2002, 06:25 AM	#4
greenze DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 39 Rep Power: 0	thx all

Oct 28, 2002, 10:09 AM	#10
~~JAV~~ Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California, USA Posts: 283 Rep Power: 0	Reno, I'm lost. If the AGP is set to 128mb then that is what is going to the card, why do you add the scant 80mb for 3D Mark? 256 - 42 = 214 for video & 128mb transfers to the card > leaves 86mb ready for the next transfer while the 128mb that was freed is being filled. AGP doesn't control how much the system RAM gets from the CPU, it is for system RAM to the card. By the time the 128mb is rendered, the system RAM will have at least 128mb ready for transfer again. Since the card doesn't render 128mb blocks in one fell swoop & the RAM doesn't transfer it only in 128mb blocks (that is the maximum it can transfer) > I don't understand what you are saying. At 80fps in an average game, how many mbs is being rendered per second? I honestly don't know but I find it hard to believe 128mb is being used THAT fast. Is it?

Oct 28, 2002, 02:35 PM	#11
reno Painlord of Ichor Join Date: May 2002 Location: bloinkin! Posts: 1,610 Rep Power: 0	ewrt When I go into task manager, clean boot, I am at 340 some Mbs, because the Apeture eats up that 128megs which nothing else has access to...I've tested this also, for some odd reason, I lose about 700 3dmarks if I set my apeture to 64mb...and to test YOUR point, I removed a stick of 256mb and tested 3dmark with 128 and 64 meg apeture....128 scored me around 500 points lower, 64 meg was close to 1000.... It does make a difference, I dunno what uses the apeture, but SOMETHING does...