512MB DDR2??? Does this mean times 2? Dell..? Help? Vista basic help?

Question

dell are selling this computer

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/desktops_good?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

i want to buy the one for 249 pounds the first one from the left but i wanna know what the performance will be like???

it includes genuine windows vista home basic.. but i heard u need loads of ram for vista could someone look at this computer and tell me what the performance will be like with 512 MB DDR2 on vista basic thanks

Answer 1

DDR2 does mean times 2 in a way, it's the generation of RAM succeeding DDR. The RAM modules run at higher speeds and allow more bandwidth, but isn't much better than regular DDR (however you don't have a choice, this is fine.)
The E520 is an OK deal for £249 but doesn't come with a monitor and has no monitor. For £100 more, the C521 has a smaller form factor, a 19" LCD, a free upgrade to a 250GB hard drive, and free shipping. Also, £47 more gets you 1GB of ram, which is definitely recommended for Vista, since it can fill up 512MB pretty quickly. Vista Basic will work with 512MB of RAM, as with any version, however using the sidebar can suck up a lot of your RAM along with all of vista's other features, so 1GB will give you more wiggle room. Buying from dell, the really cheap computers always have subpar components that will leave you really dissatisfied. Also, talking about vista, check out this article on readyboost:
http://www.tgdaily.com/2007/02/08/analysis_vista_ready_boost/

Answer 2

Everyone is right about this one, You could order the package, and upgrade to 1 Gig of Memory, I use XP Pro from dell with 512 Mb Ram, and I upgraded to 1 gig of ram myself, and it's much, much better, You cannot have enough memory when it comes to Microsoft, the listing on your deal is the Minimum that Microsoft recommends for Vista, and also make sure you have a monitor for this PC, one is NOT included with it, it is sold separately.. Good Luck

Answer 3

You will probably want at least 1GB for Vista minimum to run it comfortably. 512MB will feel like XP with 256MB of RAM. It'll run, but you'll feel the load time when it's busy.

DDR2 (means 2nd generation DDR technology) is not twice as fast as DDR1 RAM but runs cooler than DDR1 and capable of slightly faster transfer speeds and higher capacity memory modules (which isn't that important with 512MB). That alone will not give you as significant of an improvement over adding 1GB.

Answer 4

That should run ok...nothing spectacular...i'm not entirely sure on Vista's RAM usage, but if you want to be on the safe side, up it to 1 gig of the ram it has...should be just fine then!

Answer 5

No that only means one. DDR2 is the type of Memory.