Benfits of upgrading 4gb RAM to 8gb - 64bit system

are you really using 4gb at all times? find out what kind of ram you have and see if your computer is compatible with a higher fsb.
 
ckflarng said:
are you really using 4gb at all times? find out what kind of ram you have and see if your computer is compatible with a higher fsb.
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Fsb has nothing to do with capacity, it is the bus between the northbridge and cpu, just a channel for data rather than anything with storage capacity.

Open up task manager (ctrl alt delete) an go to the performance tab. Open up whatever software you use frequently and see how much memory you are using. If it gets above 80%, i would say upgrade, it will slightly improve performance and it will also allow for better multitasking whilst maintaining performance.

If it isn't hitting 80, you won't see much of a difference at all
 
For software that requires 3d graphics rendering it would be best to upgrade you graphics card. Increasing RAM would not make the difference unless the software takes the whole 4 gb for itself. Windows uses pagination to admin the RAM so having extra ram would increase you computer capability to hold more processes but not increase performance. Performance is given by the CPU and Video Card.
 
Not generally. It can be done on MXM compatible models, but that is still difficult. For instance, the only brand that uses the MXM standard adapter is Sager (and brands built off of it, like MSI and Cyberpower). The other ones, like Dell, Asus and the like, you have to use a GPU from the same brand to make it work. Like a 9800m GTX from a Sager will not fit into a XPS1730. A 8800m GTX from a XPS1730 won't fit a Asus. But a HD5870 mobility from a Asus will replace a 9800m GTX from a Asus.
 
Not sure about laptops but I went from 4GB to 12GB and I have noticed my usage go above 4 gigs without really trying. Most games it idles right below 4 but in some cases it'll go above if doing a lot at once.
 
It really depends on the system and what you are doing. I went from 8GB to 16GB on my desktop, and the only difference I see is the number of things I can run before hitting swap space (whatever windows calls it).

On my laptop (m90) running linux, I have yet to hit 2GB with what I do (including gaming @ 1200p). I don't think it will do much good to upgrade past 8GB unless you need it. You will not hit 8GB usage most of the time, and if you do, it will just transfer things you're not using to the swap space to make more room in the RAM.
 
Only reason I went to 12 was because the price increase from getting another 4 to another 8 was like 5 bucks, so figured to just go ahead and do it now.
 
Depends on which operating system you are using as XP, 7 and 8 all handle memory in different ways, so simply looking at what is 'available' is not a very accurate measure.

If you are using applications such as video rendering or where large files are being used, RAM is the way to go. Its also very cheap now, so the old days of trying to weigh up the costs seem a little redundant.
 
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