Is 2.0GB Ram too much?

I'm configuring a Dell. Should I get 2.00 Processor or 2.0GB RAM? It seems like 2.0 RAM is way overkill. And I read somewhere too much RAM can hurt performance because it means there's more space to have to search for the info. Is 1.0GB RAM a better choice? I do NOT want future upgrade potential, and I'll be running XP Pro for forseeable future for reliability.

Edit: I'd be getting the lowest processor offered if I get the 2.0 ram, I think T2300 processor.

 

I'd go for the 2.0GHz CPU and then upgrade the RAM later if you want - it's a lot easier than upgrading the CPU. Make sure to get 1 sick of RAM only, otherwise you won't be able to upgrade to 2GBs later.

Note: If you're going for performance and can't upgrade, the T2300+2GBs will offer better performance.

 

what will you be using the laptop for? you can't have too much ram....if you are going to do demanding applications then you may want to go with 2GB. If not 1 will be fine and go with the faster processor.

 

I'll be listening to music while creating Microsoft office documents, surfing the web, organizing photos from camera, playing MPEG videos from the web, and occasional online gaming.

Edit, I hate upgrading. I've tried upgrading RAM before (adding sticks) and I've never gotten it to work. Even with company on phone. So I like to buy and leave it alone.

 

In that case you really don't need either - I say a T2400 (a T2300 would actually be fine too, but I doesn't cost a fortune to upgrade nowadays) and a gig of RAM should do the job. Save the cash for some accessories or for your next notebook.

 

Well the thing is that dell has a $450 instant saving if I buy $1800 or more computer. So it's actually cheaper to buy 2.0 RAM or 2.00 processor than the system you describe. Normally I would configure what you say however.

 

I'd go for 1x 1024MB of RAM if possible - that way, there is a slot open for later expansion.

You won't notice a difference between the T2400 and T2500 processor, so go for the T2400. I'd also get a 7200RPM hard drive.

 

get the T2500 if that's what you need to get over 1800$

 

I don't know if a 7200 RPM drive would help for general productivity, but it will help with photos and video if you're going to be doing a lot of that.

 

go with the better CPU. Ram is a lot cheaper to upgrade, plus it's a little pricey from Dell. I have the 2.0GHz CPU and upgraded to 2GB 667mhz Ram. Deffinately worth it when running DEMANDING programs such as Battlefield 2.

 

If your planning on buying the E1505 or E1705 there's those $750 off coupons if you spend $2000+, so you could get both the 2.0 processor and 2 gigs of ram probably.

 

D620 model.

 

you can't go wrong by getting "too much ram." Vista will eat it in a second. As Chaz says, processors are harder to upgrade than ram, so spend your dough on processing first.

I hear now that tests have shown that two sticks of ram is hotter than one, so if heat is a concern, spend to get one stick. So (1x1024) instead of (2x512) for example.

 

I would say go with the CPU. RAM can always be upgraded later if you find a need for it. Try to get a 1GBx1, but 2x512 will be fine for now. But if you plan on upgrading, you'll have to replace both sticks.

 

Dell is only offering 2 sticks of 512 on the customize page

 

I think you must make sure you dont have to edit any video music or create your own video music !!! With my own I will go for T2400, nVidia 7800 or 7900 and 2 Gig ram that will make over $1800 !!!

 

In that case, I'd get the minimum offered, then pick up a 1GB stick aftermarket.

 

if your refusing to upgrade in the future then get the 2Gb of ram. with 2Gb you can usually disable hard drive paging and save some battery life I would think.

a few weeks the AC went out in my house and I had to underclock my desktop 400Mhz because it was 95 degrees in the house and it was getting too hot for comfort. I barely noticed a diffrence in performance, and its a single core processor.

 

In your case, I would get the processor. 2GB of RAM probably isn't something you are going to need for a few years. 1GB is great to have and almost a necessity. So if you are NOT looking for upgrade potentional, get the processor. No doubt about it.

 

IMHO there is no such thing as too much RAM. If you ever do any even minimal photoprocessing, for example using photoshop or even less resource hogging programs, you will very much appreciate and notice the difference.