PC illiterate looking for some advice on RAM :)

Logos

Logos

Active Member
Okay, I am not completely illterate when it comes to PC(s) but I am not up to par as some of you in the Tech field. :) So with that being said, I currently am thinking of upping my desktop and laptop to 4GB Ram. (currently both have 3 GB), just to give me that extra boost especially with Vista needing almost 2 GB per game now it is hard to maintain the ram, and run smoothly. Let me know what you think. I have checked into it, and both computers will allow for even up to 6 but that is a bit much right now I think. :) Thanks for any thoughts or opinions! Oh I can pick up both the laptop and desktop RAM sticks for about 40 each if I decide to go that route thanks again!
 
Logos said:
Okay, I am not completely illterate when it comes to PC(s) but I am not up to par as some of you in the Tech field. :) So with that being said, I currently am thinking of upping my desktop and laptop to 4GB Ram. (currently both have 3 GB), just to give me that extra boost especially with Vista needing almost 2 GB per game now it is hard to maintain the ram, and run smoothly. Let me know what you think. I have checked into it, and both computers will allow for even up to 6 but that is a bit much right now I think. :) Thanks for any thoughts or opinions! Oh I can pick up both the laptop and desktop RAM sticks for about 40 each if I decide to go that route thanks again!
Click to expand...

If you are running a 32 bit system you computer will only handle 3GBs, well officially 4GBs, but if you have ANY video memory at all it will block of that amount and if the smallest amount is 1GB it will block that off... So if you don't have a 64 bit system that would be your first move, because you would just be wasting money on the RAM on a 32 bit system...

Now if you are on a 64 bit system...here is some of the best and cheapest RAM EVER: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231085 Been using G Skill for a long time and it rocks! They key to victory is NEVER buy from a store...always Newegg :)
 
Really it just comes down to whether or not your RAM is being used or not. Sounds like Vista is definitely hogging most of it, so you'd probably get a bit of a boost going with more if you're doing any gaming. How do you currently have your RAM set up? A 2GB and 1GB? Do you have any extra slots in your desktop?

Not sure where you're shopping, but you might be able to find a good deal here:
http://computers.pricegrabber.com/laptop-memory/p/43/st=category/

As stated above, won't be able to address more than ~3.2GB of RAM if you're not on 64 bit.

I'm not sure whether or not this is a valid suggestion or not...but you might even consider just upgrading to Windows 7. I think the upgrades run ~$80 a pop now. I am not much of a Vista hater (although I've run into more than my fair share of problems), but I've found my desktop runs a lot more smoothly on 7.
 
Last edited:
Did your OS come with a 64 bit install disk . some did . If so then update it first. Then get 6 meg ram. :) :)

Your cpu will need to support a 64 bit os before it will install. run the system checker at microsoft and it will tell you what passes and what fails.
 
You can also just go to the system properties to find out. Right-click "My Computer" and go to properties. If it is 64-bit, it will say so by the Windows version. If not, you have 32.
 
Getting more ram is a good idea, but at the end of the day you're still using Vista.

If I were you, I'd save the $80 (and an additional $120) and get two OEM Windows 7 installs.

3 gigs of ram is more than though for the vast majority of games (though more is almost always better!).
 
Odale said:
3 gigs of ram is more than though for the vast majority of games (though more is almost always better!).
Click to expand...

QFT.

Vista sucks way to much RAM, 7 utilizes it better...much better... Vista will just continually bring you down...
 
XionTawa said:
QFT.

Vista sucks way to much RAM, 7 utilizes it better...much better... Vista will just continually bring you down...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I am going to upgrade to 7 in about a month. :) Which edition would be best in terms of windows 7??
 
I would just go with the Home Premium. The only things professional and ultimate really add are the XP Virtual machine, ability to join domains, and ability to remote desktop. Upgrade looks to be $105 on Amazon.

Seeing as how you already have 3GB of RAM, I think you'll be fine without upgrading that. You may want to snag the 64-bit version of Windows 7 (same price, just a different disk) in case you want to upgrade RAM in the future.

Edit: Just wanted to add - the Win7 upgrade package does come with both the 32-bit and 64-bit disks.
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-Upgrade/dp/B002DHLUWK/
 
Last edited:
RyanB said:
You may want to snag the 64-bit version of Windows 7 (same price, just a different disk) in case you want to upgrade RAM in the future.

Edit: Just wanted to add - the Win7 upgrade package does come with both the 32-bit and 64-bit disks.
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Home-Premium-Upgrade/dp/B002DHLUWK/
Click to expand...
Note that if you are on a 32-bit system you would need to upgrade the CPU and motherboard (as well as the ram) if you wanted to go to 64-bit addressing.
 
Patriot said:
Note that if you are on a 32-bit system you would need to upgrade the CPU and motherboard (as well as the ram) if you wanted to go to 64-bit addressing.
Click to expand...

Actually most computers made in the last 5 years come with 64 bit processors...even my average laptop I bought 3 years ago has a 64 bit CPU in it...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top