Will upgrading RAM help?

I'm currently using Dell Vostro 1500 w/ 1.8GHz Duo2 Core and 8600MGT, but I only have 1GB RAM, and since I'm running Vista, I'm using at least half of that for my OS and other junk that I cannot get rid of in the task manager. I was playing Rainbow Six Vegas, and I'm using the lowest resolution (600xsomething) and the lowest settings, and there's still some dragging. Will upgrading to 2.5GB RAM help me a lot?

 

I would definitely recommend at least 2 gigs of RAM if you are running Vista. 1 gig is fine but 2 gigs will ensure you get the best Aero experience. It will help in gaming also.

 

But how much will it help? If 2.5GB RAM's FPS in a certain game is only 3 or 4 higher than 1GB RAM's FPS, then I won't bother spending the $150 on a 2GB RAM chip.

 

Let's see, say you keep it at 1 gigs, sure fine you can run Vista but do remember the more RAM you have the more programs you can run without digging into your virtual memory. When your laptop decides it doesn't have enough RAM to complete what you want to do it'll start using the virtual memory. You're thinking sure that's fine but when you use VM, it takes a HUGE toll on performance, probably why you are experiencing bad performance.

You are running Rainbow Six which is a demanding game and running Vista which takes up half your RAM already.

By adding RAM, you are making sure your laptop does not resort to VM as often which equals better performance in applications.

Another thing, I would say your RAM is the bottleneck out of your C2D and 8600M GT, check your Windows Vista Experience score and see what the RAM scores are compared to the other components in your system.

 

When you say you have 1GB and upgrading to 2.5 GB keep in mind the difference having dual channel makes (i.e. when two identical sticks are in each socket). I would say that upgrading to 2GB, with a 1GB stick plus 1GB stick, would give you better performance than 2.5 GB if this was a 2GB plus a 512MB stick.

 

It seems he already has 2.5 gigs of RAM in his Vostro.

 

As far as I know , 2.5 Gb is still better than 2 gigs in dual channel, as long as the 2 gb module is on the first slot..
In dual channel, 2 gb are way better than 2 gb not in dual channel,but the more memory you have, the more programs you can run without lag and drag and the more things you can do in the same time. I never close winamp,messenger,bitcomet,strongdc and internet explorer,even when I`m gaming. And I have 2 gb and everything runs smooth as a wistle.

 

get 2gb dual channel (1gb+1gb) instead. don't go with 2gb+512gb route.
core2duo run best on dual channel. 2GB should be the normal nowdays, especially under vista. the more memmory the better. but if you're using 32bit system, it is best to stay on 2gb. 3gb is really the max you can go. but you cant get that dual channel so 2gb is the best option.

 

oh yeah! looking at his signature he seems already does, i wonder why he still asking though, as obviously the more RAM the better. errr... IMO 2gb dual channel is the optimal one under 32bit

 

The beta is only for xbox 360. =\

 

Indeed...Unfortunately, I have 2 gigs of RAM under 1 sodimm, I don't plan on getting another 2 gig dimm.

 

O_______O

(filler)

 

Seriously, what beta?

 

The beta for Call of Duty 4 came out for the xbox 360 today.

 

so why is it in this post?
and is that BF2142 in his signature?

 

Not sure why he posted it here...he posted the same thing in another thread yesterday.

Anyways it's either ghost recon or BF2142. If ghost recon has modern weapons then it's probably BF2142...that's no modern weapon in his signature.

 

I think its BF2142 because he has a rank and in ghost recon im pretty sure you dont have a rank. also he has some bomb symbols, so he was most likely supreme commander in BF2142 multiple times

 

OK, someone mentioned to have the 2GB chip in the first slot. Which one is the first? Is it the one under the keyboard or the one on the bottom? And is 2GB really better than 2.5GB?

 

2.5 GB of RAM is faster then 2 GB of RAM regardless if it is in dual channel or not.

2 gigs of RAM in Dual Channel however, is faster then 2 gigs of RAM that isn't in Dual Channel.

 

The reason I have 2.5GB is because (other than it's better than 2GB). I didn't want to take out the keyboard and pretty much the whole computer and put in that 1GB chip. So I just ordered the Vostro with 1GB RAM (1GB was default), and I took out the one in the back (The one covered by 1 piece of plastic) and put in the 2GB chip.

I still don't know, how big a performance difference is there between 1GB and 2.5GB?

 

A very big difference, we've been over this already.

 

Here's the Vista Experience Score w/ 1GB ram...

Processor: 4.8
RAM: 4.5
Graphics: 4.7
Gaming Graphics: 5.2
Primary Hard Disk: 4.6

 

That's odd, I have 2 gigs of RAM x 1 dimm and I am getting a 4.7

There's no way you are getting a lower score then me with 2.5 gigs of RAM.

 

WEI is not an industry standard benchmark. I've seen different scores on the same exact machines with identical software/hardware/and drivers.

 

Hm, thanks for the info Greg, =)

 

That score was with 1GB RAM.

 

Oh ic...I still say upgrade to 2.5 gigs of RAM, 1 gig is what I consider the danger zone with Vista.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's better to use Home Basic than Ultimate because HB uses less RAM, right?

 

I have never heard such a thing so I would say that is not true.

 

Well Home Basic doesn't have Aero so that might be true.

 

Yes, the ram upgrade will definetly give more noticable performance!