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    Ram and gaming

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by xxbadboys93, Feb 22, 2009.

  1. xxbadboys93

    xxbadboys93 Notebook Deity

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    Okay, I currently got 3gb of ddr2 800mhz ram. If I upgrade the ram to 4gb will I notice any fps boost while running a game? If so aproximately how much? I run Windows Vista Home Premium 64 BIT.
    CHEERS :)
     
    xxbadboys93, Feb 22, 2009
    #1
  2. Red_Dragon

    Red_Dragon Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    No you wont :D you will notice that you can run more programs now :)
     
    Red_Dragon, Feb 22, 2009
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  3. xxbadboys93

    xxbadboys93 Notebook Deity

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    I dont understand that my computer never uses 3gb. Also will my shared ram for the gpu go up. It currently shares 1500mb. 1.5gb.
     
    xxbadboys93, Feb 22, 2009
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  4. aan310

    aan310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    The only time RAM helps games is 1gb then adding or less then adding
     
    aan310, Feb 22, 2009
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  5. xxbadboys93

    xxbadboys93 Notebook Deity

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    Can you explain. Iam not getting you.
     
    xxbadboys93, Feb 22, 2009
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  6. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

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    More RAM is always better, but you will get decreasing returns in performance. 1GB to 2GB is a HUGE increase in performance, and 2GB to 3GB should net you a few extra FPS. 3GB to 4GB is smaller though, maybe expect 1 or 2 FPS.
     
    StormEffect, Feb 22, 2009
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  7. Doodles

    Doodles Starving Student

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    depends on the game... i know for supreme commander, the game went from lag to fine when lots of units were on the screen... wen i went from 2gb to 4gb... but that was a mathematical issue... 3 to 4 gb wont do much for screen graphix
     
    Doodles, Feb 22, 2009
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  8. gsxmusic

    gsxmusic Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ram may slightly boost fps,but where it would really matter,is if your video card shares memory with your ram,and you added more which would free up the ram that was being stolen by the video card,thus giving a better performance.But its usually in the Processor and the Video Card gpu where you see a bigger difference.Even the rpm of your hard drive
     
    gsxmusic, Feb 22, 2009
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  9. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

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    you might have slight performance increase by having it run on dual channel.

    your current ram is only half dual channel. if i remember correctly, the top 1gb wont run in dual channel. because your ram config is (1gb+2gb).

    depends on the game and in what the game is currently doing. the 3450 is not really a powerful gpu to begins with. and your cpu is only average.

    having more ram will reduce disk trashing. although i find it hard to top to 2gb (on xp). i think it would not be much different on vista.

    so i think youw will have little if any benefit upgrading to 4gb. you do get nice feeling of full dual channel superiority though.
     
    wobble987, Feb 22, 2009
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  10. Pandadeist

    Pandadeist Notebook Consultant

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    No, because you're on Vista 32-bit.

    EDIT: Noticed that your sig and your post don't match up.
     
    Pandadeist, Feb 22, 2009
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  11. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    Actually you should because you are going from flex mode (a mix between single channel and dual channel) to pure dual channel if you have 2x2gb sticks.
     
    nizzy1115, Feb 22, 2009
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  12. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    He's currently in asynchronous dual channel, that would give him synchronous dual channel.

    But 1-2 FPS is a little generous, I don't think it would change at all.
     
    Jlbrightbill, Feb 22, 2009
    #12
  13. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    only way you would notice a jump in fps is if you didnt have enough ram i the first place
     
    The_Moo™, Feb 22, 2009
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  14. gary_hendricks

    gary_hendricks Notebook Evangelist

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    unless you are running a game that needs more than 3GB ram, no noticeable improvement.
     
    gary_hendricks, Feb 22, 2009
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  15. xxbadboys93

    xxbadboys93 Notebook Deity

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    ya iam runing 64bit. Is it worth it getting 4gb instead of 3?
     
    xxbadboys93, Feb 22, 2009
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  16. tayzor

    tayzor Notebook Enthusiast

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    ram really dont effect video much, i think it has to do more with the video card you have.!!
     
    tayzor, Feb 22, 2009
    #16