Will Upgrading My RAM Help?

Question

I have a Sony Vaio VGN-FE670G laptop computer. It has an Intel Core Duo T2300 CPU dual-core at 1.66GHz Clock Speed and 667MHz FSB, 1GB RAM and a 5400rpm, 100GB hard drive.

When I am surfing the web on the computer and am also running simultaneous scans with Grisoft AVG Antivirus 7.5 and also AVG Antispyware 7.5, the computer runs so slow. Pages take anywhere from almost 10 seconds to maybe a minute or more to open up.

But when I go to Windows Task Manager to look at the system's performance, the computer never reaches peak RAM usage.

So if I upgrade the RAM to 2GB(which is the maximum amount the motherboard can handle), will it really help?

The system's current RAM is 1GB(2x512 MB). So upgrading to 2GB will require replacing the two memory chips with 2x1GB. That's not cheap. If upgrading to 2GB helps for now, I don't know how much longer it will be before my computer will run slow again.

Would I be better off just buying a new, faster laptop?


Many thanks,
C.L

Answer 1

You didnt say what OS youre running but....
Get more ram
Running all the AVG stuff and your windows is using it all up.
Thats why you cant multi task.
2 gig should be fine

Answer 2

Well running simultaneous scans with AVG is definitely going to slow your PC down. ALL antivirus programs eat up your processor quite heavily when they are running.

As far as the RAM is concerned... some say you never have enough, but I think you need to see how much you have left when you are surfing the internet and running AVG.

One question I'd ask is why are you scanning with AVG while you are surfing???? It should be running in the background anyway. Is this something "extra" you are doing??? AVG uses less than 10M of RAM on my desktop and typically is using no CPU resources unless it is running a full scan.

Go to http://www.download.com and download and install a little program called FreeRAM XP Pro. It is FREE and puts a little meter on your task bar that tells you how much RAM you have that IS NOT being used at any particular time.

You may find that you have 500, 600 MB or RAM left or more that is not being utilized. If that is the case then you have more than enough for what you are doing in most cases.

If you take the time to check the RAM meter over a period of time you'll quickly get an idea of how much RAM your PC is using most of the time.

So before you spend $$$$$$$ for nothing give this a shot.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Ram won't really help with internet browsing it is really up to your connection to the internet and the programs you have opened slowing it down. I suggest you stop scanning while browsing the internet because its obvious that it is slowing down your computer significantly. Use task manager to close down some unwanted programs and I recommend you download FireFox because it is faster and more reliable than Internet explorer.

Answer 4

although its likely the memory would help (ensure to get the highest supported speed memory) you may wish to consolidate your services (read here http://www.blackviper.com )
You may also want to scan for spyware/malware
try adaware and spybot
give a quick check with HiJackThis

hope that helps