processor speed vs. memory

I am confused. Some say it's better to have a faster processor and some more memory.
Is this really a matter of opinion or fact?
I gather it's harder to upgrade yr processor than add memory.
Any understanding is appreciated.

 

Search the forum.

But let me give you an idea.

If you have "Little memory" - which nowadays means 1GB, maybe even 2GB, then upgrading memory is a cheap way of increasing performance.

A processor upgrade is only worthwile if:
a) your processor is very slow - in which case your hardware is possibly old, or your mainboard/socket won't support faster, newer hardware
b) you have a processor intensive task (maths calculations for example) where you need higher clockspeed.

If you need help deciding what to do, it may be worth listing your specs and why you want to upgrade too.

PS: In games, often (not alway, at least on my old Medion it was RAM ) the graphics card is "the limiting factor".

 

Thanks
I am customizing a Sager and the sales guy told me to get 3GB instead of 2 and that T3400 etc was adequate and not upgrade to
t6570 .
I am getting XP Pro and not Vista. I thought 2 GB was enough. He said no.
I am not a gamer, a very basic user, web, movies youtube etc.

 

OK....
Well, if you are a basic user...

The RAM - 2GB would be enough for you - 3 is better though...
the processor -I'm not sure about the clckspeeds.

You would possibly be fine with the slower one, but what are the price differences?
Upgrading a processor later is always more expensive than RAM - if the processor upgrade is cheap it may be worth it...

 

What is the price difference between t3400 vs t6570.
also whats teh price difference between 2gb vs 3gb.

processor speed is important and things would be faster
memory wont increase speed but will enable you to multitask faster.

 

xoticpc.org
all ur sager notebook needs await you

 

Am I right that higher speed processors generate more heat, while more memory does not?

 

Well, it depends on the details of the processor - architecture, etc...

And memory - I think different kinds of memory will prodce differet kinds of heat - depending on voltage...
Not sure if size is the cause here though

 

You can get 4gb ram after you buy the computer for $50 or less, then sell the old ram or give it to someone else. It is very easy to install the ram. Its a 3 or 4 minute job. It won't void the warranty. The hardest part is reading the instructions, not actually doing it. Cheap, good ram can be found at newegg or frys. There are usually specials going on.

Upgrading the processor is much more difficult and you may void the warranty. You may also hurt the computer if you don't know what you are doing.

 

2 GB is more than enough for a basic user using Windows XP.
The sales guy is right saying t3400 was adequate. t6570 is not needed. But the problem with processor upgrade is, more often than not, you need to change your motherboard. If you at all change your motherboard, go for the best processor.