Hey is it worth is to get 2GB of RAM? I was thinking of upgrading my ram from 512MB to either 1GB or 2GB but I was wondering if 2GB is overkill or will it actually help me more. I will be using the rig mostly for gaming.
it'll probably have little effect over 1gb, it woulld be better to save money on that other 1gb or ram and put it towards a highend graphics card..
This all depends on your application or in this case the game you are playing. I have a few machines, but only one with 2G of memory. When I am doing a heavy workload in Photoshop that extra memory is a god send. In other situations its hard to make the case. My personal strategy, try to get the most memory in the least space so if I have (choose) to upgrade I don't have to toss out the memory I already have. It more expensive in the short run, but less expensive in the long run (and more flexable).
The only issue there to consider is if you want to run dual channel or not, but i agree i like to use no smaller than 512mb modules if possible. As for overkill, well if the rest of your system is top spec and you have the spare money then you may as well but it, but if you just play games etc i cant see you getting a huge boost at present, although it'll keep you covered for the future
If i remember correctly a 32 bit processor can never access more then 1 gig of ram at a time, meaning that if you have 2 gigs of ram in your system you will see some performance increase, but nowhere near as much of a difference as say 512 to 1 gig. If you have an A64 then it's a whole nother story, and this whole thing may have been off, if so please correct me
If money is not an issue or you do a lot of graphic work, then sure, go for it, there will be a performance boost, but marginal. Other than that 1Gig at this time would be more than sufficient
If it's primarily a gaming rig, I would agree with Rich, get 1GB and put the rest of the money towards a high end Graphics card.
if you got a 9600 xt and over id say go with the 2 gigs. it with doom3 pushing thru a gig you should have some head room for games like stalker that will push it to where you need that ram. or would you rather use the blazing fast speed of a swap file.
