Question about how much RAM to have to WinXP

[Larry_OHF]

After taking into consideration the pros and cons of the XP operating system, I have decided to get it this weekend. However, I also have the money to get more RDRAM. I currently have two sticks of 256 each...to make 512MB. But I have four slots on my card to be able to fill, and I hear that XP usues it's resources better than other OS's...so...Do you think it good to buy another two sticks of 256MB each, to have a total of 1024MB? Is it worth it?

[ 02-27-2003, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[Memnoch]

I think 512MB would be sufficient for the OS...any more than that would be a bonus.

[Elif Godson]

Aye, what Memnoch said. 512 is perfect more is a plus

[Davros]

Hi Larry - 256 is the absolute minimum that I would recommend for functionality. Most things should cruise on 512, and I agree with the others that you probably won't see much improvement beyond that.

[Larry_OHF]

My mistake...I have RD RAM. I dunno what that really means, or how it is different than other RAM...but anyway...I also learned that XP caps at 4GB.

[Ronn_Bman]

RD is supposedly the best RAM, and I agree with everyone so far, 512 is plenty. My system came with 256, and I upgraded to 512 and I don't think I can see a difference.

Remember to set your swap file minimum and maximum to double the amount of RAM you have instead of letting Windows manage the file size for you. That should provide optimum performance, or so I've read.

[Bungleau]

I have 512 MB on my Win98 PC... there is never any such thing as too much memory on a windows box. I'd plan to add more in -- not necessarily immediately, but keep an eye out for falling memory prices. I'm seeing memory priced at US$10 for 128MB, and around US$40 or so for 256MB. That's really insignificant, price-wise.

[Larry_OHF]

My RD RAM costs $83.36 each...and I am required to buy a pair...since I have an Intel P4.

[Bungleau]

True... I listed prices for SDRAM that I've seen, which is a different beastie altogether.

Still, I'd just make plans to bump the memory up later. What you've got should be good to start, and who knows? By the time you're ready, you might be paying that $83 for 512MB sticks of RDRAM!

[andrewas]

Originally posted by Bungleau: I have 512 MB on my Win98 PC... there is never any such thing as too much memory on a windows box. I'd plan to add more in -- not necessarily immediately, but keep an eye out for falling memory prices. I'm seeing memory priced at US$10 for 128MB, and around US$40 or so for 256MB. That's really insignificant, price-wise.

Do *NOT* add more than 512Mb to a 98 box. In the case of 98, there is (and definately) such a thing as to much memory. The memory manager in the 9x series is obsolete. 512Mb is the most it can handle properly. Sure, Itll *work* with more than that, but not well at all.

AS far as XP goes, throw in as much as you can afford. 128Mb will work, 256Mb will be better, 512Mb will be ample. More than that isnt needed for most purposes, but it cant hurt.