How do I determine how much memory I need on my pc to make it run faster?

Question

This is my computer info:
total physical memory=512 MB
available physical memory=314 MB
total virtual memory=2 GB
available virtual memory=1.96 GB
page file space=1.96 GB
My computer is acting slower or sounds like the tower is bogging down

Answer 1

For XP 512 MB of RAM (physical memory) is good . I expect very little improvement in performance by increasing memory to 1 GB or more.

For Vista you will need 1-2 GB of RAM.
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Run "check disk" check both options and restart.
(runs a long time)
Run Disk Cleanup then Disk Defragment.
4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance
http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getstarted/speed.mspx
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Remove programs running that you do not need:

run "full tests" at PCPitstop
http://www.pcpitstop.com/
This will run performance tests and compare your PC to identically equipped PCs and offer tips if there is a problem.
It will also list all running programs and list which can be stopped from starting with msconfig to improve performance.
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Remove malware.

The following steps should get rid of most malware and prevent future problems. All programs listed are free.
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Update your antivirus and run a full scan

If you do not have virus protection install:
AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
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Install Windows Defender (full time spyware protection)
Perform a full scan.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
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Install the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.
Install and run now.

Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)
Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper
After installation: update + scan + immunize
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)
http://www.superantispyware.com/

CCleaner: Do not install toolbar and recycle bin options
Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history
In options.
Set to run when computer starts.
Place cookies you want to keep in save list
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Note if a scan detects a problem but is unable to remove, start the computer in safe mode with the internet line disconnected and run a full scan.

In severe cases your system restore files will also be infected. In these cases you will need to turn off system restore to prevent malware hiding in the system restore files and reinfecting the computer during removal or during a future system restore. Turning off system restore deletes the system restore files.

Right click on "my computer"> Properties > System Restore Tab > Check box turn of system restore

After the malware is removed turn on system restore.
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Run this time

Install VX2 tool for Ad-Aware and run tool
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/securitycenter/vx2_cleaner.php

CWShredder: run
http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/
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Additional run this time and as needed.

Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”
Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
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Rootkit Removal Guide
http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/scan_unhackme.html

Rootkits Removers (Pick any 2 install and run monthly)

AVG Anti-Rootkit
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-rootkit-update-app-art/?ver=1.1.0.29

F-Secure BlackLight
http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

Sophos Anti-Rootkit
http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html
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Online Free Scanners:
Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.
Run a different one each month.

Trend Micro: HouseCall Free Scan (removes what it finds)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
BitDefender Online Scanner http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Kaspersky Labs Online Scanner http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
McAfee http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294
Panda ActiveScan Free Online Scanner http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?
Symantic Online Scanner http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/ssc_eula.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=ALUFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL&vc_scanstate=2
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Additional Information read:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Prevention:_Prevent_Re-infection
http://www.castlecops.com/f67-Hijackthis_Spyware_Viruses_Worms_Trojans_Oh_My.html
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.org/secure.htm
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php
http://www.castlecops.com/t102301-Hijackthis_Guidelines_Read_Before_Posting.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-please-read-before-posting-
http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075&sid=901703d08c2ace31389ffef2d84b6607

Answer 2

Definitely 1 GB. 512MB is just enough to run Windows ME/98.

The time you measure the amount of memory you need is when you load all the programs you usually use, then open up the task manager and see how much memory you're really using. If you play any serious 3D games, you'll want 1 GB.

Here's a good chart to check:

http://www.e-articles.info/e/a/title/How-much-memory-is-enough/

Answer 3

Have you tried defragmenting it? A lot of times that is all that is needed, otherwise it depends on your processor speed. All the memory in the world won't help, if the processor is too slow to process it.

Answer 4

At this moment the best quanitity of RAM memory u should have is 1GB, but since windows vista came out it's probably best 1.5GB

Answer 5

http://www.crucial.com

has a memory test to see if you need any more memory and how much you could upgrade to.

Answer 6

Try this link for your answer:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Am_mK10cZHVl3bMFvYvJCAfsy6IX?qid=20070402100412AAJVwBh