Will simply adding more memory ensure that XP uses it to the full extent?

Question

I have 512Mb and am considering adding another 512Mb, but I was talking to a friend who has 1024Mb on his equipment, and using Task Manager we compared both and found out his machine was not using the extra memory (although we were running MS Messenger, using webcam and he had some other windows opened. Do you have to set XP so that it uses the extra memory?

Answer 1

In general, it will help speed up the access of your system. XP will auto allocate the memory usage, it could be that your friend's memory cache is allocated too low. Windows will automatically if allowed, to set the cache based on the memory size. In example, if you have 1024mb of ram, and you have programs that take up 2048mb of ram, Windows will take that extra 1024mb from the hard drive and access it more while it stores the data.

On the other hand, if you have 698mb of programs running and 1024mb of ram, Windows will not need to access the hard drive as much, but will populate the memory space instead.

Answer 2

No XP will use the ram when it needs to , it does the best job when it manages the memory virtually by itself.

IT's normal that your system will NOT be using all the memory at the same time. For example : You will need to Launch Photoshop like 20 - 30 times before you use all that memory at the same time. Or play Oblivion and it will use about 3/4 of the 1GB of RAM.

The programs your friend had opened are not big enough to use all that memory.

But as long as it's installed and in task manager you can see the whole 1024MB, windows XP will have it on tap, you don't need to do anything else

Answer 3

RAM requirements change.. If you play games, you will likely notice a big difference if you have 1024MB compared to 512. Especially recent/current games. Each time a program is being used, it requires a certain amount of memory for what it is doing. For example if you install the game "Half-Life 2" and start playing that, you would probably find it alone is using over 200MB of your memory. At times, it could peak higher than that.

Answer 4

The people who tell you that you can never have too much memory (RAM) are right, but only to an extent. Windows can't use more RAM than the programs you have open (in use) require. That means that adding more RAM won't help you any at all, unless you start gaming on your computer. If you do, 2GB is now the minimum.

Answer 5

If XP isn't doing anyhtign at the moment, its not going to use all teh memory. It's generally only a sign you need more memory if you are noticing lagging or slow loading/error messages. But in general XP often just sits and organizes index files and stuff in its free time, not doing much.

Answer 6

No, XP will automatically detect the increase in RAM. Your comparisons were most likely made when there was little usage being made of available system resources

Answer 7

Try recoding some video and comparing them.