Extra RAM for Windows XP

[ForestHIllsRob]

My questions are:

1) Does it make sense upgrading to 4GB RAM in XP? I currently have 2.5 GB DDR RAM, & a Pentium 4 3.0 GHZ CPU, and everything runs smoothly. I know about the issue of Windows keeping part of the RAM for it's own use, meaning the max you can access is 3.4GB or so.

2) Is the Corsair RAM any better than PNY?

3) Will upgrading the RAM benefit me when running MSTS? I already free-up as much CPU power as possible.

In fact, I discovered going into Task Manager and turning off the anti-virus/firewall there, vs. just disabling the program, helps Train Sim, i.e. a little less stuttering.

Thanks!

Robert

[dirkjesje]

In telegram style :

No. ( if you're not running XP 64 what I presume, but XP2 )
Except that - if possible - you can change the 512 with a 1Gb or 2Gb RAM module, ONLY if your video is using RAM pool memory.

Your equipment is excellent to run MSTS. Seems to be that you have a video card that you re pushing really to the limit ? ( laptop ? )
Vista will help you certainly not in this case...

Frndl Grtngs.

[ForestHIllsRob]

I have XP, 32 bit version.

Actually, I have an 8500GT, with 512MB DDR2 Ram. The interface is 128 bit.

From what I've read on this forum, the real culprit with MSTS is the program itself. It was written at a time when high-power video cards didn't exist, so the program is CPU dependent. That's why I thought boosting the RAM might help.

I'm not familiar with the term "ram pool memory" but I would think this refers to "on-board graphics."

BTW, I have four RAM slots, with two 1GB modules, and the original two 256mb modules that came with the computer.

Robert

[jtr1962]

The only thing which might help is to make sure all of your slots are filled with identical sticks if your motherboard has dual channel capability. Other than that, you won't see much additional performance by increasing your RAM. IIRC the most any 32-bit program can use is 2 GB. Even allowing another GB for the O/S will mean you've pretty much maxed things out with 3 GB. The only thing I'd do is replace the 2 256 MB sticks with 1 GB. Since your video card is already appropriating 512 MB of addresses, and the motherboard uses several hundred MB at least for everything else, you probably won't see any additional RAM beyond 3 GB anyhow.

[jamesc25313]

I have XP, 32 bit version.

Actually, I have an 8500GT, with 512MB DDR2 Ram. The interface is 128 bit.

From what I've read on this forum, the real culprit with MSTS is the program itself. It was written at a time when high-power video cards didn't exist, so the program is CPU dependent. That's why I thought boosting the RAM might help.

I'm not familiar with the term "ram pool memory" but I would think this refers to "on-board graphics."

BTW, I have four RAM slots, with two 1GB modules, and the original two 256mb modules that came with the computer.

Robert

Thats interesting to me also because for years I read 1 GB is good enough and the video card makes the difference and finally I upgrade my card and now I read its memory. My motherboard holds 4 GB but as I said I only have 1 and I have a geforce 7600 factory overclocked to 16?? and I get the usual stutters but over all Im happy but as for stutters such as in my case I heard its the Hard drive that causes this because of the RPM and loading ect and of course like many others I have a 7200 RPM HD but I dont think adding anymore ram would make much of a difference and if you have 2GB already then Id think thats as good as youre gonna get. The Hard drive upgrade sounds like a good idea but Ive read others who disagree so if it aint broke dont fix it, right.