Ready Boost - does it really make a difference?

So I have a couple of options for upgrade paths and was wondering what would make the best sense.
I have a notebook running W7 w/ 2GB Ram that I use for work (mostly the browsing, email (large pst file in outlook ~2GB), editing PDFs and few images (nothing super high res tho) other than that just some basic office apps, normally running FF3 with 3-4 tabs and a few office programs open and maybe PSP. My memory usage normally runs around 30-50%. I also have a netbook w/ 1GB ram used for just web browsing and basic stuff.
My original plan was to use a fastish flash drive (Patriot xporter XT 4GB) as a dedicated ready boost drive (I now have a free internal USB slot due to some mods), but I am wondering if it will really make much difference (I haven't noticed any, but I haven't done any hard core benchmarks). I am also thinking about pulling on of my SODIMMs from the notebook and giving it to the netbook and then adding 2GB giving me a total of 3 in the notebook and 2 in the netbook and then keeping the USB drive for installations on the netbook since it doesn't have a DVD drive. Also will I notice any real decrease in performance doing a 1GB in one slot and 2GB in the other for the ram, that was original theory behind just upgrading to 2GB originally.

 

If you got 2gb+ then it really doesnot make any difference. If you have less ram then you can notice small differences.

 

Ready boost is more for people with 1GB or under.
You must remember that your USB drive is MUCH slower than your RAM, so Vista/Win7 uses your RAM first. Your USB memory read and writes are generally slower than your hard drive, but the access speed is significantly faster. So for access is uses your USB key, for read and write it uses your HDD. But, you must remember, that since Vista, that your RAM is used first, once your RAM is near full or data cann't fit inside, then it starts looking for alternatives.

In your case perhaps faster memory would be preferred. 2GB is what I call the minimum to start in having a smooth experience in Windows Vista. To avoid page file completely and allow a user to be able to use his system a little more, I recommend 4GB of RAM, especially that as application gets more and more fancy, they eat more and more memory.

 

Thanks for the input, I was kinda leaning the way that it wouldn't make much of a difference. I just have a fast flash drive and free USB slot that I need a use for Well maybe I can find another use for it. Another GB or 2 of Ram it is then.

 

I thought they changed readyboost to work as a random file storage place where it's used more for fast random access than anything else in Windows 7.

I have it enabled on a 2GB SD card I don't use for anything besides keeping dust out the slot in my laptop, and I do see it active randomly, so it is being used; but I'm not sure what the difference is supposed to be.

 

You really wouldn't notice at all since you have 4GB RAM.

My friend, who has an Acer Aspire One (1GB RAM), said he definitely noticed to the difference.