2 Gig RAM upgrade - is it worth it?

Hello there,

So recently I've been contemplating buying a RAM upgrade for my Dell Inspiron 6400. Right now, I have 1 Gig RAM, along with an ATI Radeon x1400, Duo Core T2400 (1.83 GHz), Windows XP. I know my computer's a bit older, but I'm wondering if an upgrade to 2 gigs of RAM will give me a noticeable improvement when playing games like Oblivion, Bioshock, Half Life 2, and such? Is it worth the upgrade? Or should I just save the money (and use it towards an external hard drive, which I also need quite badly)? Thanks!

 

Absolutely! Having at least 2GB of RAM is almost mandatory for any modern game. RAM is so inexpensive right now that it would be foolish not to upgrade.

 

You might be ok for now
If you can look in windows task manager
In the performance tab, look at how much ram you are using
In xp I use about 600mb max (I don't use for gaming)
With vista I use over 1.1 gb just basic web browsing



Alex

 

Maybe a little bit but what's really holding you back is that outdated entry level gpu. Since that's a laptop, there's really nothing to be done about that.

If you have a single 1gb stick then all you have to do is get a second one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145048

If you have 2x512mb you're going to have to replace them: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148086

 

The inspriron 6400 has a maxmum memory support of 2Gb (2 x 1GB)
The i6400 is the same system as the E1505 which I have. I tried it with 2Gb sticks, and no matter what the combination it will not boot with single 2Gb modules.
The only way it works is with single 1gb modules, so the maximum memory supported is 2Gb.

It uses Pc5300 sodimm memory, so your best bet is to buy a cheap kit of 2 x 1Gb Pc5300 memory like these ($20):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148086

The ATi X1400 is the fastest graphics card the i6400/e1505 supports.
The processor is upgradeable. The i6400 can be upgraded to the T2500, T2600, T2700 processors without any problems.
The E1505 supports the core 2 duo processors, so it can see up to the T7400/T7600 processors. I am not sure if the i6400 supports core 2 duo processors or not.
I am pretty sure it only supports core duo processors up to the T2700

K-TRON

 

Thanks for the responses! Very informative.

Going off topic a bit, perhaps I should buy an external hard drive instead. Are Seagate and Western Digital reliable brands for external hard drives? Also, are external hard drives fast enough to install games onto (USB hard drive), or should I use my internal hard drive for games, and the external for movies and music? Thanks again!

 

Use the external to back up your files.. movies, music etc. Leave the games on your internal.

Depends on the kind of deals you can find, but you may be better off buying an external enclosure and a internal hdd and plugging it in yourself. What size were you wanting?

 

No the external drives are way too slow for install games on it. It is best to use for storage.

 

yes, buy 2GB, ram is cheap these days. Then disable the page file. Then come and say thanks