would 1GB ram help even if Task Manager never goes over 512?

I've got 512 MB ram on my current rig with XP pro. For my new computer, I'm wondering if 512MB will be fine if I keep using XP PRO for future. If I watch the Task Manager for performance while doing various things, I never see my computer reach the 512 MB marker. Would getting 1GB ram be pointless or would 1GB make a difference even if Task Manager doesn't appear to show it's needed?

 

Well, its depends on what are you doing with your notebook.

JC

 

i'm one of those "more is better" people. i suppose if you carry on using xp pro and the same applications 512mb might be all you need. on the other hand, i remember back in the days of win95 when 16mb was amazing, then i got 32mb and next thing i knew i was being outdated by 64mb win98 followed by 128mb win2000 and so on - i noticed with each increase in performance, a decrease in my own machine?

i have since got myself a 256mb machine with xp home and i'm quite happy with it. if you don't plan on ever upgrading your os on the new machine then its perfectly fine to stick with 512mb. i'm sticking with xp home on my current machine because i'd have to upgrade pretty much everything for vista.

however im going for 1gb with my new machine just to be future proof as in my experience newer applications tend to be more memory hungry

 

Well, RAM is always a good thing. You will see a difference in the speed of applications loading and also your computer will faster as there is more memory and there wont be any bottle necks if you do hit the 512 mark.

 

try disabling your page file and see if windows complains. if it does then 1gb of ram is worth considering. To disable page file right click on my computer --> properties --> advanced tab --> in performance section click on the Settings button --> advanced tab --> in virtual memory section press Change button. On this screen you can disable your page file (don't forget to press the Set button!).

 

I prefer not to use page file in general because then my system runs faster since windows does not save anything into virtual memory. And yes, Windows will page stuff even if you have free RAM available.

 

I closed down the page file, opened stuff I usually do (word file, music playing, internet download) and then opened up a bunch of other programs which I wouldn't run at the same time normally. PF usage was showing 257MB. For my usual usage it hovers around 200MB. Seems like 512MB is more than enough RAM. But I'm not real knowledgable about computers, so unless there's something more to this than the PF usage, 512MB seems like it will be more than adequate as long as I don't go Vista.

Please let me know if you got any futher comments, guys. Thanks.