Windows Vista: Suggested RAM for Gaming

Hi Folks

I have a small question regarding the amount of RAM needed for current games and maybe upcoming games for windows Vista.

I plan on using Vista so I would like to know what is the recommended amount of RAM I should install on my laptop?

I've read that 4GB of RAM is overkill for a system, 2GB would be all you would actually need. Then I hear that the more RAM you have the faster your system performs. So I'm in a dilemma and I'm not sure what would be a good amount?

Thanks a bunch.
Jimmy

 

2+ GB is optimal.

 

So 4GB wouldn't be overkill at all? I've read articles stating that, unused RAM is a system downer and a waste due to the most of the RAM not being used. I know that Windows XP and Vista both utilize RAM in different ways.

But I'm unsure what those differences are.

So you'd recommend 4GB if I'm able to afford that much?

btw thanks for posting

 

The "more RAM is faster" is true to a point. There is a huge difference going from 512MB >> 1GB, and a smaller difference from 1GB>>2GB and an even smaller difference as you go further.
As Lithus said, 2GB+ should be plenty, even if you have a graphics set that pulls from the system memory.

 

If you can afford the 4GB, go for it.

 

2-3GB, most people will find 2GB to be plenty, but if you play intensive games (crysis anybody?), 3GB is a good idea. Installing 4GB with a 32bit version of Windows will only show 3GB anyway, so there's not much point.

 

Buy your laptop with the minimum amount of RAM and then upgrade it yourself. Check the RAM DEALS thread for the best prices/models. I personally recommend Corsair.

If the laptop comes with 2x 512MB sticks, just buy a 2GB stick and replace one of the 512MB sticks with it; then you'll have 2.5GB. Lithus is right, anything 2GB and above is good. Don't go lower than 2GB.

 

Thanks Chaz, tumnasgt

I'm thinking of doing that but at the time of customizing my system, I wasn't familiar with upgrading. I didn't even know what type of RAM to buy or even where to get it? Luckily though another users posted any 200pin ones are fine. However, still stuck on where to buy here in Canada. I'll take a look at the RAM deal page thanks for the extra info.

Oh yes one more question regarding RAM.

I've read in the forums about RAM Kits. and there was a question regarding mixing different RAM. Is mixing RAM okay? I'm assuming from your recommendation it is fine.

Another user had suggested, in another thread that I read, using RAM from the same company would be good to avoid any possible problems.

Thanks for the quick reply guys wow you guys are fast

 

if you go to crucial.com they have a memory selector, All you do is put in the make and model of your laptop and they will come up with the right memory for you. They are not bad priced either but not sure whether you can get them in Canada. It is best to use a pair of Ram sticks rather than mixing as it will be faster and better for your pc in the long run.

 

4GB is only $75 more (At least with Sager). Get it.

 

Less if you do it yourself

 

2gb should be enough but 3gb is probably alright. the more the merrier unused or not at least you have extra just in case

 

just wanted to come back I just bought me an LG P300 with 2gb. if I add anything or adjust anything it voids the warranty so I'm happy that you guys tell me that 2gb is enough cuz it only comes configured with 2gb

thanks everyone

 

Not entirely true. A 32-bit o/s will normally see about 3.5GB of the 4GB of RAM. However, the hardware WILL utilize the remainder of that 4GB. So all is not wasted jumping from 3GB to 4GB. If going over 4GB then you'll of course want a 64-bit o/s.

You can still upgrade the RAM. Just keep the old memory sticks and put them back in if you need to send the computer in for warranty work.

 

SignalNoise

I have no idea how to open this up, it looks pretty complicated. My last two the compaq and thinkpad were easy to open up so I had no problem there.

Can I ask another question? I'm sure people have asked before.

But me being so unfamiliar still with the RAM topic I want to make sure.

How much of a difference is there between 2gb and 4gb when it comes to everyday regular usage (surfing the net, watching videos, music, running office)

Is there a huge performance increase?

 

I would say so. My recent upgrade from2 to 3 gb has made vista alot more zippy. Everything is smoother and opening files and folders is alot faster.

 

wow.. now I'm wanting at least one more 1gb of RAM

 

I run with 4GB, where only 3.2 is utilized and I would say it is more than worth it.

At 4GB Vista doesn't ever need to use the page file/swap file so you avoid all thrashing issues once the system has finished starting up. I was using Vista with 2GB and before that with 1GB.

1GB should be the bear minimum for Vista, honestly people should use XP if they have 1GB. 2GB is the functional amount of RAM for Vista, where things are fairly well provided for and there isn't much slow-down. With 2+, Vista really shines.

But as has already been said, just make sure you have 2GB for a smooth experience, everything after that is just icing on the cake. If you can afford 4GB, I'd recommend getting it. Unless you are going SLI, you'll probably make use of at least 3.2GB of that RAM, which makes it worth it.

There is no negative impact on performance if you have extra RAM unusable by the 32-bit OS. I can't remember when that myth started. It may have been applicable years ago, but on current chipsets and Vista, I do not believe that is at all true.

 

storm thanks for the info.
thats some good advice. I'm interested in icing on the cake that is for sure lol

 

Hey, I'm in the same situation too. I'm getting a Dell with Vista Home Premium and it automatically comes with 2GB of RAM. Costs +$50 to upgrade to 3GB of RAM. It would bring me spending price from $1,020 to $1,070. Would this be worth it? I do school work, internet, emails, and a little gaming and expect "future-proof" specs...
(FPS games or what I call "medium-spec PC games")

 

troyman21: You'll be fine with the 2GB. If the video card 'shares' the ram then I'd be inclined to bump it up another gig. Remember that RAM is cheap and easily upgraded later if you want to save a few pennies now.

 

Well, when you say "if the video card 'shares' the RAM", does 256MB have anything to do with it? And I might actually wanna upgrade the RAM from Dell before ordering it, because I believe that when replacing 2GB RAM, you'd pay way more to buy 3GB RAM from somewhere else than through Dell upgrades. That's at least what I think its true?

 

If it's shared memory it will usually state that in the specs.

In your case to upgrade from 2GB to 3GB thru Dell would be fine. A 2GB stick of notebook memory is anywhere from $40 to $60 elsewhere.

Personally I'd go with the 3GB to be safe and the extra $50 isn't an issue.

 

thats what i did

The HP upgrade was $100 (Singapore dollar)

and i upgraded for $30

haha

 

will oblivion run on a dv9700t
-Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8100 2.10 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB
-2 gigs of ram
-512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
-windows vista.

will it run on high? Also will Gears of War for the pc work on this or should I upgrade to a processor with 2.40 GHz instead of 2.10 and will it work better if I had 3 gigs of ram or is 2 enough to get faster then 360 version or at least decent. What about the graphics? Is that good because thats the highest option for dv9700t

 

What will hold you back is the 8600M GS, the other components are fine for gaming (though you can ALWAYS go for more RAM). This wont give you high in Oblivion at all, nor will it in Gears of War. What it will do is run, how well, I don't have any first hand experience, but it won't be on high.

 

So 1GB would be ok for a Vista PC used to just surf the net, right

But Gaming needs at least 2GB

How about a PC/laptop used for streaming or watching DVD movies?

 

1GB is just right for doing normal things in a PC. Surfing the web, Watching DVD movies, Video editing and word processing are normal things.

 

Actually even for doing normal things in Vista you`ll need about 2 gigs, 3 gigs for gaming.
That is if you don`t want looong load times.

 

QFA. 2GB minimum for Vista DESPITE what the o/s min. requirements state.

 

So what does that statement actually mean?
What is QFA (looked it up guessing its quick file access)?

And what does it do?

Also eleron911 is it really all that much faster to go from 2gb to 3gb? What do you mean by looong load times?

 

QFA = Quoted For Agreement.