hard disks, processor, graphics card, and fsb aside, is there a point at which adding memory does little to nothing to improve system performance? Would having 4 gigs help a computer over 1 gig for things like web browsing, word processing, and simple applications? nothing memory intensive such as games and graphics design. not talking about memory intensive programs, just basic computer use and minimal multitasking.
2007-01-11 18:40:38 · 10 answers · asked by Dre D 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Yes, there is a point when adding more memory does little benefit. Actually, 1 Gb memory for just surfing, word processing and simple applications is more than enough .
2007-01-11 19:16:14 · answer #1 · answered by wdy_67 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard disk is memory... why did you say "hard disks aside"? Unles you meaning to talk about RAM - Random Access memory which is like short term memory in people. Adding more RAM would certainly improve the system performance. However if your running on too old of a processor it might not save you. So you might also think of getting a faster processor.
If you did mean to talk about the had disk ( the C:/ drive) then, you should know that it would actually make some difference. You see hard drive space that is not being used can be used as RAM if you don' have enough RAM by itself. So a bigger hard drive could be used more for this. If you need proof of this try loading a big document then fill your hard drive and load it again, but it sounds like you already knew.
If you don't do much multitasking I don't know why you'd even have problems with slowdown, maybe you've got spyware or viruses.
2007-01-11 18:59:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure there's a point of no improvement.
Having 4 gigs of RAM would make for a very fast responding computer (especially if you're not running games).
But the chances of you being able to tell the difference of a computer running 4 gigs of ram and one that's running a gig and a half of ram are not very good.
Face it, if you're on'y going to drive the speed limit around town you don't need to spend $$$ on a Ferarri, a Honda will get you there just as fast - and a lot cheaper.
2007-01-11 19:05:07 · answer #3 · answered by Robert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be a bit more technical than neccessary it all depends on the operating system that you are using! It comes a point (especially with windows) were any additional memory just sits there doing nothing, it is all down to how mush memory your system can allocate for use. For normal use (as you describe) 1 GB sounds sufficient. Have in mind memory leakages as well, (that is when you are using programs like firefox for hours and haven't shut down the system, a lot of memory allocated doesn't get de-allocated, resulting in memory reserved and unusable). Best thing to do is shut down programs after long usage and restart them.....
2007-01-11 19:02:46 · answer #4 · answered by thanoszog 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need much memory if you are going to use your computer only for the things you have written above. As you have mentioned, it is not memory intensive, so adding memory may not have some noticeable effects at all.
2007-01-11 18:48:19 · answer #5 · answered by Spaceman Spiff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Typically 1Gb is the best performance, price point.
Running Microsoft Windows XP with Norton Internet security and Microsoft Office performance is unlikely to increase with the addition of more.
To see RAM usage press the keys and click performance.
Typically a machine running the above programs will be using 200Mb +/- of RAM "while doing nothing" leaving 800Mb for you to do your stuff.
Windows XP can handle up to 4Gb of RAM you would get no benifit. It also requires specialist setting up above 3Gb.
2007-01-11 18:53:09 · answer #6 · answered by Gowrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it depends, can your computer support 4 gigs, do u have 4 slots and think you can put 1 gig in each? you can but depending on the computer it might not work, i whent to crucial memory (or critical memory, i can never remember the name, maybe i need some memory...ahaha) and did their scan and got all the info i needed, basically what you are asking, if you havent gone there check em out, its way cool, and also, you might want to go to Belarc and download the Adviser (freeware, no crap!) it will give you all kinds of info on your system and may answer some questions you have, i dig it! opens your eyes to your system.
good luck!
2007-01-11 19:00:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes. actually by adding memory you reduce the load of your hard drive for scratch file transaction. scratch file is used as supplementary to free memory by temporary flushing memory for the program that you give up using and put the content for currently running program in memory. so you will not find any difference once you pass a certain amount of memory.
2007-01-11 18:54:08 · answer #8 · answered by khodadad_omid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to use a computer with efficiency is to disable as many programs from startup as possible, and run them as and when needed and shut them when not needed, this way they do not sit in your system tray all the time occupying the RAM
2007-01-11 18:47:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont really get your question but if you use your computer for everyday purposes(word, internet,etc) then 1gig is enough, but if your into graphic demanding games, then you do need 4gigs.
4 gigs is over kill for daily usage.
2007-01-11 18:48:25 · answer #10 · answered by D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋