Should I upgrade to 3GB RAM?

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mhofever

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#1 mhofever
Member since 2008 • 3960 Posts
Right now I currently have 2GB RAM and im using Vista. Im wondering if I should upgrade to 3GB RAM and if it would make a difference in my games
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MadCat46

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#2 MadCat46
Member since 2004 • 1494 Posts
Depends on if you're using the 64 bit or not. If you are then yeah should do it as quick as you can because 3 gigs for Vista isn't much. If you're using 32 bit though, you really won't get much of a difference so it's up to you.
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mhofever

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#3 mhofever
Member since 2008 • 3960 Posts
alright, thanks.
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Jade_Monkey

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#4 Jade_Monkey
Member since 2004 • 4830 Posts
One thing to also consider is that if you have a dual channel kit for your 2Gb of RAM and you add the third stick you lose the dual channel function. If you are using Vista though it will love you for the extra RAM. It really likes it's RAM.
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mhofever

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#5 mhofever
Member since 2008 • 3960 Posts
I dont think my 2GB RAM has a dual channel kit, so I'd say it'd be fine adding another ram without problems
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#6 Jade_Monkey
Member since 2004 • 4830 Posts

I dont think my 2GB RAM has a dual channel kit, so I'd say it'd be fine adding another ram without problemsmhofever

It probably isn't if it came witha prebuilt PC. Most prebuilt PCs don't come with dual channel RAM.

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mhofever

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#7 mhofever
Member since 2008 • 3960 Posts
mines is custom built so i guess i dont need to worry about it. I'm also considering the new RAM for designer software like Autodesk Maya and such because I'd prefer to work on my projects without worrying about how many objects are on the screen.
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schu

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#8 schu
Member since 2003 • 10200 Posts
upgrade to 4 gigs or 3 gigs
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Simplekidd

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#9 Simplekidd
Member since 2006 • 30 Posts

Probably worth upgrading with a 2gb stick as I don't think they are too expensive now.

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flateric125

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#10 flateric125
Member since 2006 • 25 Posts
Most certainly if you are running 64bit, myself i noticed a huge change upgrading from 1GB to 2GB, but the third?, noted only a small increase in performance. But as i say if you have 64bit then 4GB is optimum.
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Macutchi

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#11 Macutchi
Member since 2007 • 11190 Posts
ye upgrade if you can bro
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biggest_loser

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#12 biggest_loser
Member since 2007 • 24508 Posts
I don't think you should honestly. Most games atm are not even recommending 2GB.
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#13 Handheld_Dude91
Member since 2005 • 1184 Posts
Im only using 32 bit but I definitely noticed a big jump when upgrading my RAM. Although my pc only recognizes about 3.5 GBs of my 4 total, I definitely recommend getting as much RAM as you can, especially for vista so that it runs smoothly.
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TheCrazed420

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#14 TheCrazed420
Member since 2003 • 7661 Posts
Running Vista, definitely.
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#15 Wasdie  Moderator
Member since 2003 • 53622 Posts
You can never have enough ram.
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#16 Duckshot
Member since 2009 • 223 Posts

Yes you'll see improvements in game, plus the price of DDR2 at the moment is so low!

Vista is a resource hungry fiend, so the more the better!

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#17 BlueBirdTS
Member since 2005 • 6403 Posts

Not worth it if you ask me. On a 32-bit OS the performance benefits should be minimal at best (unless you use your PC for heavy-lifting applications like Photoshop, 3d rendering, movie editing, etc.). Save your cash for future upgrades.

Vista 32-bit is not all that RAM hungry if you have the OS properly optimized (use CCleaner if you don't and look up some Vista tweak guides).

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deactivated-59d151f079814

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#18 deactivated-59d151f079814
Member since 2003 • 47239 Posts
I have yet to see a single game out there that recommends 3gigs.. It is not neccesary and chances are you will not notice a difference.. Faster more highquality memory in dual channel is far bettter.. Its just i don't see a real reason if you are going to play games to get 3 or 4gigs of ram.. A processor upgrade would be more beneficial.
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fivex84

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#19 fivex84
Member since 2006 • 1216 Posts
I would... what am I saying I did.
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mhofever

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#20 mhofever
Member since 2008 • 3960 Posts

Not worth it if you ask me. On a 32-bit OS the performance benefits should be minimal at best (unless you use your PC for heavy-lifting applications like Photoshop, 3d rendering, movie editing, etc.). Save your cash for future upgrades.

Vista 32-bit is not all that RAM hungry if you have the OS properly optimized (use CCleaner if you don't and look up some Vista tweak guides).

BlueBirdTS

yes, im a college student of digital animation, i gotta use 3d tools n such, so basically your saying 3 gigs would help em a little too, which is what i also want to see.

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#21 BlueBirdTS
Member since 2005 • 6403 Posts
[QUOTE="BlueBirdTS"]

Not worth it if you ask me. On a 32-bit OS the performance benefits should be minimal at best (unless you use your PC for heavy-lifting applications like Photoshop, 3d rendering, movie editing, etc.). Save your cash for future upgrades.

Vista 32-bit is not all that RAM hungry if you have the OS properly optimized (use CCleaner if you don't and look up some Vista tweak guides).

mhofever

yes, im a college student of digital animation, i gotta use 3d tools n such, so basically your saying 3 gigs would help em a little too, which is what i also want to see.

It might help a bit, but a CPU upgrade would probably help a lot more.

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#22 StrawberryHill
Member since 2008 • 5321 Posts
[QUOTE="mhofever"][QUOTE="BlueBirdTS"]

Not worth it if you ask me. On a 32-bit OS the performance benefits should be minimal at best (unless you use your PC for heavy-lifting applications like Photoshop, 3d rendering, movie editing, etc.). Save your cash for future upgrades.

Vista 32-bit is not all that RAM hungry if you have the OS properly optimized (use CCleaner if you don't and look up some Vista tweak guides).

BlueBirdTS

yes, im a college student of digital animation, i gotta use 3d tools n such, so basically your saying 3 gigs would help em a little too, which is what i also want to see.

It might help a bit, but a CPU upgrade would probably help a lot more.

Bluebird is correct. Maximizing your ram will probably help somewhat, especially using Vista...but you will notice a more pronounced difference by maxing out your cpu. You'll really notice it in games. If money isn't an issue, I'd just upgrade both. If you have to choose between the two, you might consider just upgrading your cpu.