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    HD Speed vs. RAM

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by camsimple, Jun 27, 2006.

  1. camsimple

    camsimple Notebook Evangelist

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    In comparison would you spend the $ on getting a faster hard drive or uping the ram for gaming? Meaning if I had a 7200rpm HD with 1 Gig of Ram compared to a 5400rpm HD with 2 Gigs of RAM, which would perform better. I am assuming the rig with 2gigs of memory compared to the 1 gig but faster HD.
     
    camsimple, Jun 27, 2006
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  2. jetstar

    jetstar Notebook Deity

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    The amount of RAM has a greater influence on gaming performance, compared to hard drive speed.
     
    jetstar, Jun 27, 2006
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  3. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    In game the quantity of RAM is what matters most. The hard drive speed mostly improves the access times for faster loading. Although both are quite important, In such a situation IMO having more RAM is better.
     
    miner, Jun 27, 2006
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  4. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    1 Gig is fine for now, and its easier and cheaper to upgrade the mem in the future.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jun 27, 2006
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  5. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Opt for more RAM; unlike the hard drive, it actually affects the in-game performance. An increase in hard drive RPM will only affect the loading times.

    2GB of RAM is ideal for the modern gamer; 1GB is fine in most cases.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jun 27, 2006
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  6. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    On second thoughts get the RAM.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jun 27, 2006
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  7. emperor

    emperor Notebook Geek

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    I have tested 1GB vs 2GB and didn't found major differences in 3D gaming using FEAR, HOMMV and HL2 Episode 1...
     
    emperor, Jun 28, 2006
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  8. anubissx

    anubissx Notebook Consultant

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    I also agree that more RAM is better than faster HDD
    I think, more RAM meaning more power, the PC work better. Faster HDD only help when you copy or access alot data, while gaming and working have more ram improve their perform.
    Think it like small road and highway, which one faster, highway for sure.
     
    anubissx, Jun 28, 2006
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  9. SiGuy

    SiGuy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Unless you are playing very graphics intensive games with a mediocre video card..they Yes I would suggest the 2gb of ram. However if you arent playing a very intense game.. 1gb is plenty, unless you are multitasking of course. With games like WoW which is installed onto the HD.. the 7200rpm would make a difference.

    If you plan on playing the latest games and have the gfx card to support then I would choose the 2gb. but if you are playing games off the hard-drive or not planning on playing the latest games for a lil while, i woul dgo witht he better HD and get the ram cheaper in a few months. newegg.com is great for ram
     
    SiGuy, Jun 28, 2006
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  10. camsimple

    camsimple Notebook Evangelist

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    Great info guy, thanks.
     
    camsimple, Jun 28, 2006
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  11. SiGuy

    SiGuy Notebook Enthusiast

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    You welcome ;)

    The reasoning is thus. if you upgrade from 1 to 2 gbs.. but your computer is only using <1gb of ram for the program(s) you are playing you are not going to see a big difference. Theoretically the computer should distribute the profcessing evenly betweenthe two sticks of ram (if you have 2 512 sticks or 2 1gb sticks) but it turns out that the most used is the first one.. i.e. the stickin "slot 1".

    If your program is only using a low amount of ram.. no matter how much you put it it is pretty much useless.. If you think about it 2gb would be "future safe" ... windows xp and most programs alone dont require 1gb.. 512 or 1gb tends to be enough unless you are multitasking or doing some hardcore gaming. but if you think back to 5 years ago.. 256mb was a lot.. more than enough, and now 1gb is almost required.. If youa re planning on keeping this computer..thenget the 2gb's and spare the HD.. but if you plan on upgrading soon, or would prefer to upgrade to better ram.. like very nice performance corsair or kingston then go ahead and start saving now. I would suggest if you have the option get a 1DIMM 1gb ram.. (one stick .. not two).. it will be easier to upgrade

    Hope the advice helps. Ill check the topic later to see if you got confused/needmore help
     
    SiGuy, Jun 28, 2006
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