Will more RAM improve gameplay?

Ok I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 with GMA 900 graphics (takes 128mb of system RAM when gaming) and I know it sucks for gaming... So you don't need to tell me that. Right now I have 2x256mb RAM. My questions is, if I buy a 1gig stick for 1.2gigs of RAM total how much of a performance gain will I see? If I get about 15FPS in a game with 512mb about how many more FPS could I get?

Also, how would a 7200 RPM HDD help? Right now it's 5400 RPM.

Thanks.

 

The RAM will help but you won't ever get an excellent gaming experience on a GMA 900, though it is fine for older games or newer RTS games.

The Hard Drive Upgrade will only reduce the loading times as far as I know.

 

ram will always help in gaming..but as you know, GMA is weaksauce, compared to a dedicated card. i would expect more FPS...maybe 5-10..maybe more.

a 7200rpm drive will make load times less, and generate more heat.

pb,out.

 

I'm not sure the framerates are going to increase much. I mean . . if you're talking 15FPS now, then if you double the RAM . . still around 20, I'll agree with pb.

I had a 5400RPM drive in my laptop two weeks ago - updated to the 7200, and it actually runs cooler. Of course, the 5400RPM drive was a Samsung, they do run a bit warm. Expect a few more degrees of temperature. It won't be dangerous.

 

The problem is, I really want to get a better laptop but by the fall it will be outdated no matter how good the card is because of Vista and DX10 coming out. I have a desktop with an ATI 9600XT which is fine for most games today (all the ones I've played actually), so gaming on my laptop isn't a priority.

I might get a job this summer and save up for a decent laptop. Then when Vista and DX10 come out maybe get a laptop that supports that? When will all this stuff happen anyway? What would you guys do?

 

Well, Vista won't be out this Fall as far as I know, to the public anyway.

I believe Vista, DX10 capable cards, and all that other jazz will be out sometime in 2007.

 

Vista is slated for a Q1 2007 release as of now, but with Microsoft and all the tiimes they have delayed the OS, you never know. So, expect next year for the hardware you're talking of.

EDIT: Reize beat me to it.

Chaz

 

Oh cool, thanks. I thought it was sooner. I'll try to get a new laptop in two weeks if that is the case...

 

I beat you on the year, you beat me on the exact (well, most exact announced) date.

I myself had Vista capability in the top 5 needed parts of my computer. Even though it probably won't be out for a while, I'll still be using it then so, I decided to stick with my decision even after seeing the delay on Vista. I did want it as a Christmas present though... ; ;

 

I read yesterday that DX10 compatible cards will be out late this year (supposedly). However, we have to consider at what price? More than likely $400 minimum. Then also, when will be able to get one in a laptop? I think you're probably looking at a decent amount of time after that (I honestly don't know but I could see anywhere from 1-6 months conceivably). Now the killer for me was, when will I be able to get a DX10 capable card in smaller package (i.e. nothing bigger than 6lbs/15 inches) and I realized I was probably more than a year away from that being a realization so I pulled the trigger on the w3j.

 

Good point.

Off topic (but it's my thread so I can do what I want ), but can you use the VGA port to connect a laptop to an HD TV and make it look good or will you need a DVI port for that? I'm looking at a Dell E1505 and it only has VGA and S-video output. Is there a way to hook it up to an LCD TV with a good quality picture?

 

Depends on your definition of "looks good".

 

Without noticeable loss of quality. I guess what I'm asking is, if I don't have a DVI port can a use a Hi-Def LCD TV as a monitor?

 

You can, it should perform well enough, but it wouldn't look incredible as far as I know, it'd be good enough for me, but I don't exactly have high standards.