Is 8GB of RAM worth it?

Question

I've got a 32bit, quad core, 1066 BUS, computer. It currently has 4GB (1X4) 800MHZ DDR2. My HP 8100y computer says I can put up to 8GB RAM. The BIOS recognizes each DIMM, but Vista says it only sees 3.4 GB (which is another concern - why?)

I work heavily with large digital photos, and also with creating my own DVDs, so there is some heavy rendering involved.

If I were to upgrade memory...

- Would I see any performance increase?
- Do I have to get 4 - 2GB DIMMs?
- Would 4GB of 1066 be better (if it can take it)?
- Why does Vista only recognize 3.4GB?
(is it not using it all?)
- Would I see any difference in a better Video Card?
(Currently it's a NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS w/256MB)

*** I am NOT a Gamer ***

How do I know if my apps are taking advantage of all this hardware?

It's a pretty zippy machine, but time is money and if I can increase it's performance (aside from getting another computer), without a huge cost, it would save me time.

It's running Vista Premium

I could have sworn the limit was 8MB, but I just double check the specs (per someones answer) and agree it says 4MB max. That makes a LOT of sense based on everyones response.

If I get a better video card, will I see any performance increase in my Photo editing or Video rendering? If so, will it be significant? AND if it would, how much?

Again - I am NOT a Gamer, so I don't care that a better video card will do anything for games. I just want to know if my photo and video apps will see a siginificant enought performance boost.

Great answers thus far - Thanks!

If a video card will make a difference, what brand/model would you suggest?

I kind of like the TV input, but it's not critical. HDMI or DVI would probably be important though.

Answer 1

I looked up the specifications on the 8100y and it shows a maximum of 4GB memory.

From HP Page.

Memory 1GB to 4GB
Memory speed DDR2 667 or 800MHz
Total memory slots 4 DIMM slots
Maximum memory expansion 4 GB (~3.2GB accessible due to system buffers)

I don't know of any 32 bit systems that can handle more than 4GB of memory. When the 64-bit architecture and more importantly OS are better developed.... you have a chance.

Save your money and wait for a couple of years.... and by then a system might be available that will permit you to use that much memory.

Best Regards,
Z

Answer 2

Ok, you kinda gave the answer in the first three words... A 32-bit processor is ONLY capable of 4.0 GB of ram. It says you have3.4GB because the system automatically takes the rest for what it needs, and it cant "see" the whole 4.0GB. If you want to go more than 4 GB you NEED a 64-bit CPU, such as the AMD Athlon 64x2 series, that is what I use and it is killer! I am still using 32-bit Windows XP Pro sp2, but I am waiting for the one year mark and SP1 for 64-bit Vista Ultimate, than it can truly be a 64-bit tower. Also then will be able to use more than 4.0GB of ram. Right now, I am using 2.0 GB of DDR2 800 ram and runs XP Pro perfectly.


On the note of if you will see any performance increase, is no if running Windows XP, but if you are running Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition, you SHOULD depending on what you are using it for. If it just a "Office PC" ex. word processing, spread sheets, data basses, power point, internet and e-mail etc. You wont EVER need 8.0GB of ram. Having that much might ever SLOW down your computer a little, because it is another chip that needs a voltage, and needs to be checked during the POST on startup. It all depends on what this computer is used for. But bottom line: If it is a 32-bit only processor, you are stuck with the 4.0GB of ram, if a 64-Bit you can max it out. BTW 64-Bit Vista Home basic, can support 8.0, where the Ultimate 64-bit, can support a whopping 128GB of Ram!!! Just try to find a MB to even support that much! My computer can handle 8.0 GB of DDR2/800 so yea. Good luck anyway!

Answer 3

I am not sure how you check the memory. Do you go into the Control Panel and System? There is also a System Information software under accessories that you can check to view the whole details regarding your computer system.

If you were to increase memory

You might see performance increasing but that depends on the software you are using. There are many software vendors that do NOT support more than 3-4GB of memories. You might also need to re-configure your photo editing software to support the increased memory.

Generally speaking the memory is utilized heavily when you use many applications all together. If you have only one application loaded then you might not see any great improvement.

Now your video card definitely requires an improvement! Actually changing the video card I believe should be your first priority! When it comes to photo editing the video card plays an important role.

Answer 4

You _can't_ use 8GiB of RAM with a 32-bit CPU.

In theory, a 32-bit CPU can address up to 4096MiB (4GiB) of RAM.

In practise, all memory-mapped devices eat in to this limit. Memory on devices like your graphics card (which eats up 256MiB of addressing space), BIOS ROMs and IO all need addressing space. That's why Vista can only see 3.4 GiB of your existing 4GiB of RAM.

So, no, unless you migrate from x86 architecture to x64 (that is, 64 bit) architecture, there is zero point in sticking more RAM in your system, even if your motherboard supports it. Your operating system won't be able to see it.

Your video card sounds fine - the advantages of a higher-end model would depend on the support for hardware-based rendering and effects in the software you're using for your editing, but with a general purpose video card they likely wouldn't be huge.

Answer 5

4gig of RAM is the most that can be addressed on XP & 32bit Vista, that said, chip source allocation can often address the higher memory table maps leading to a reduction from 4 gig (there are ways round that, check with your motherboard maker) so, all in all 3.4gig is about right

Answer 6

Hi Check 'Task manger' to see how much memory is being used. My opinion is that 4 GB RAM would be fine for todays applications and machinery.

Answer 7

In order to take advantage of more than 3GB of RAM you'll need the 64-bit version of the OS.

At this point 8GB of RAM won't help much more unless you have applications that can take advantage of it. I'd recommend upgrading to the 64 bit version of Vista and seeing how it performs before upgrading the RAM.

Answer 8

i beleive that 4gb of ram is so much more than enough for a computer(right now).u r able to lots of heavy programs with 4gb ram without even slowing ur comp.8 gb is not worth buying now.maybe in a year .with new programs 8gb can be useful.

Answer 9

32bit Vista can only read up to 3.5GB. You need 64bit Vista to be able to show all of the memory avaliable. It's enough.

Answer 10

Adding more never hurts. it'll hurt your wallet though. As long as your system can handle it I don't see any reason not to.

If you feel that your computer should run a little faster, then why not?