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    How effective is Vista's "ReadyBoost" and what USB flash memory drive is recommended?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Jam In Ben, Apr 25, 2008.

  1. Jam In Ben

    Jam In Ben Notebook Enthusiast

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    My friend has a pretty cheap laptop with Vista and it's pretty slow at accessing stuff (only has 512MB memory) so he was looking at using ReadyBoost to speed things up a bit.

    So the other day I brought over my 1GB USB stick just to try it out (its a Kingston I bought around a year ago) and it said it's not suitable for ReadyBoost... so now we're looking for one that is.

    We were looking at this one.

    So basically what I'm asking is if that one would be compatible, or if there is a better/more suitable one you guys know of for that sort of price? Also if anyone here uses ReadyBoost and how effective they find it?


    Cheers peeps.
     
    Jam In Ben, Apr 25, 2008
    #1
  2. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    Running Vista with 512 MB of RAM is absolutely disastrous. I would recommend that he reverted to XP or installed more RAM (1 GB bare minimum, 2 GB preferable).

    ReadyBoost has generally been considered a "patch" solution for a problem whose correct solution is adding more RAM.
     
    HerrKaputt, Apr 25, 2008
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  3. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

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    I don't think it will make much noticeable performance.
     
    The_Observer, Apr 25, 2008
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  4. knightingmagic

    knightingmagic Notebook Deity

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    There'll be a big improvement with only 512MB of RAM, but for the price of a fast USB drive, your friend's better off upgrading the RAM.
     
    knightingmagic, Apr 25, 2008
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  5. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    ReadyBoost is not worth the effort. Do yourself a favor and upgrade your memory instead.
     
    Commander Wolf, Apr 25, 2008
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  6. Jam In Ben

    Jam In Ben Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok I'll tell him to upgrade his RAM then, cheers.
     
    Jam In Ben, Apr 25, 2008
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  7. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    yeah buy real RAM, but if you have a USB stick compatible lying around, use that.
     
    flipfire, Apr 26, 2008
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  8. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    2gb of ram and you will love Vista ready boost is just marketing flair if you ask me . It has helped some people but mileage varies alot between users and once you have a decent amount of system ram its supposed to have pretty much no effect.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Apr 26, 2008
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  9. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    If you want a more thorough explanation of what ReadyBoost is, check this thread.
     
    HerrKaputt, Apr 26, 2008
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  10. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

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    As others have said, go with the RAM. A 2GB kit (2 x 1GB modules) is maybe $50, and will do you a lot better than Readyboost.

    Vendors who shipped Vista laptops with 512MB of memory should be slapped.
     
    LoneWolf15, Apr 26, 2008
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  11. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

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    http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2160&page=5

    Here's a bunch of benchmarks using readyboost, and I suppose it can be a temporary aid until your friend can get RAM or something, but imo, getting even 512MB of RAM is better than 4GB of Readyboost. At least for now it is useless; if they optimize it, it may be worth it in the future.
     
    Waveblade, Apr 26, 2008
    #11