Is it worth upgrading Win7 RAM ?

AirCooledHeaven

Hi just about to buy a new win7 laptop, with 64 bit windows. Standard spec is 3GB RAM but I can have it upgraded to 6GB for £30. Performance wise is it worth going for the extra RAM? It will be used primariliy for office applications, surfing, itunes etc.

TIA

Apples2

2Gb of Laptop Ram is currently around £25 so I would say it is worth it.

Whether it will make a difference to you, well that all depends on how you use the machine. From what you say, it won't make a big deal

birkee

You do know that with Windows 7, can use extra RAM on a USB stick don't you?
Stick a USB stick in the computer, and you will get a window pop up which asks if you want to let Windows use this as extra memory.

From your description of requirements, 3Gb of Ram should be quite adequate, but an upgrade to 6Gb for £30 sounds quite good. Your choice.
Any plans for video editing or anything in the future? Spend £30.

Hammyman

AirCooledHeaven wrote: »

Hi just about to buy a new win7 laptop, with 64 bit windows. Standard spec is 3GB RAM but I can have it upgraded to 6GB for £30. Performance wise is it worth going for the extra RAM? It will be used primariliy for office applications, surfing, itunes etc.

TIA

Completely and utterly pointless waste of money. No matter how much of a bargain it is, nobody using it for what you do needs more than 2GB of RAM so even the 3GB it comes with is more than you need.

23n1th

Not unless you want to run virtual machines or encode/create video.

[Deleted User]

Yes, but only for itunes.

Darksun

Also, if you have more than 3GB of RAM you will need to make sure you're running the 64 bit version of Windows 7. This in turn may cause some compatibility problems (but I think most things are OK in Windows)

mttylad

While it currently may not be needed for the suggested use, it is coming on a 64 bit system
and for £30 - if the OP ws to change the laptops use to say - video editing etc then it would be a worthwhile investment for the little cost - it will certainly be a lot more expensive later on.

poppy10_2

You own't notice any difference in going from 3Gb to 6GB RAM with your usage

spannerzone

birkee wrote: »

You do know that with Windows 7, can use extra RAM on a USB stick don't you?
Stick a USB stick in the computer, and you will get a window pop up which asks if you want to let Windows use this as extra memory.

From your description of requirements, 3Gb of Ram should be quite adequate, but an upgrade to 6Gb for £30 sounds quite good. Your choice.
Any plans for video editing or anything in the future? Spend £30.

I seem to recall that using USB memory as a ready boost only really helped on really low ram computers (eg 1gb ram) - that was the case with Vista, is W7 better at using this?

Certainly £30 for 3Gb isn't bad and once you've got it then it's there should you need it.

giraffe69

It's cheap, you may not see any immediate large benefit, if you start to use more memory intensive applications it will help and you will future proof your computer. All in all well worthwhile at the price IMO.