Is it worth upgrading RAM?

timestar

My laptop has 1GB RAM running WinXP Media Centre with Centrino 1.7GHz processor. I use it for 80% word processing, 20% Internet (e-mail, browsing) and no gaming. Is it worth upgrading the RAM to 2GB, i.e. will I notice any real improvement in performance? Thanks!

JEEV2007

You will notice some differences - The OS (Operating System) generally will appear to respond quicker especially where you have simultaneous sessions of programs open.

You may currently find that if you have your Web Browser open and your Email and then you open for example Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel things maybe a touch slow this is where additional RAM will help.

Its cheap enough now and a place i'd recommend purchasing it from is somewhere like Crucial

John_Gray

As stated, you may notice a difference in the change from 1 GB to 2 GB, but you probably won't.

If you'd been moving from 512 MB to 1 GB, there would be a visible difference.

From 256 MB to 512 MB, you'd think you'd got a new computer!

So depends on whether you want to install Windows 7 later on that PC, or you're just spectacularly rich!

BTW Check first whether you have a free memory slot. Otherwise you'll have to buy a new 2 GB module to replace the 1 GB one you have.

Psychofly

I'm with JEEV2007 on this. There will be an increase in performance but not a massive amount. Certainly should be noticeable though. Like John Gray said check you have a free memory slot before you do anything else. Get some prices for memory from companies like Scan and Ebuyer and decide if you're willing to pay the price, if you're not sure if it's good value or not post back and ask for more advice. My personal thought is if an extra 1GB is between £10 and £15 it's probably worth it. Memory is cheap just now so a good option to get that extra boost. The trouble comes with older laptops which use older types of memory, these can be far far more expensive so it's worth finding out what memory you need and how much before doing too much thinking.

timestar

Thanks for the replies so far. I have 2 memory slots, each of which currently has 512MB in each, so I am guessing I would need to buy 2 x 1GB modules - prices around £22 to £25 for two from what I have seen so far.

Reggie_Rebel

Try Orca Logic, they are usually competitive price wise

Psychofly

I think that sounds like pretty good value to be honest. If you look at the £25 and wonder if you can afford to spend it then I would say no. Don't do it. The performance increase won't blow you away. But if you look at the £25 and think.. meh.. it's only £25. Pennies really. Then yeah.. go ahead and do it. It's a pretty good value upgrade. All comes down to whether you can afford the £25 on a luxury... only you can decide that.

macman

timestar wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far. I have 2 memory slots, each of which currently has 512MB in each, so I am guessing I would need to buy 2 x 1GB modules - prices around £22 to £25 for two from what I have seen so far.

Or you may be able to just replace one 512MB chip with a 1GB chip, giving you 1.5GB for half the price.
Use the Crucial system scanner and this will show you all the options for your system.

Psychofly

macman wrote: »

Or you may be able to just replace one 512MB chip with a 1GB chip, giving you 1.5GB for half the price.
Use the Crucial system scanner and this will show you all the options for your system.

But also a smaller performance increase. Probably not worth doing in that case to be honest.

macman

Psychofly wrote: »

But also a smaller performance increase. Probably not worth doing in that case to be honest.

I agree, but it depends what the OP wants to spend. It's stilla 50% RAM increase. Can always buy one, then another if the boost is not what is expected.

Psychofly

That's true it's an option but I think since we're not talking about huge performance gains here the OP would end up putting in one 1GB module and being a little disappointed by the small gain then later on put in another 1GB module and get another small gain and again be disappointed. I think it will dilute the perception of the increased performance. It's certainly an option though if they don't want to spend £25 on it. More memory will always help.