small question about ram

[n_w95482]

I was originally planning on getting 1 gb of ram for my next comp but james.miller told me that 512 mb would be plenty. I was gonna buy flight simulator 2004 (at the least, fs 2002 pro) and I was wondering if 512 mb would be enough for this game. I have no probs with paying extra $ for 512 more but I was wondering if it would help with the game. If it doesn't help with the game I will most likely end up buying 512 mb.

[fivefeet8]

Well, looking at your system specs, your running win98se. Just get 512. Win9x can't use that 1gig ram like winxp can.

[n_w95482]

I wasn't talking about putting the memory into this comp . I meant I was going to put it in my new comp. 320 mb was plenty for this one anyways. I was planning on getting 512 mb for my new comp but I don't kno if that will be enough for fs 2004 (or 2002 pro). Besides according to the min. specs for both of those if it was able to run the game at all it would run at <5 fps with everything turned off on my current comp.

edit: Here's what I have planned for my new comp. The only thing I have updated since that post was the price of the 9500 pro.
http://www.ngemu.com/forums/showpost...4&postcount=88

[Quatro]

512 is appropriate... unless you want to invest for future games and graphic program usage...

[n_w95482]

Well I read the review on gamespot and they said that whenever they flew thru clouds the game slowed down but they had the rez set to 1600x1200. The comp they used was a p4 2.66 ghz, 1 gb ram and a 9700 pro. I just didn't want it to run out of ram while I am playing it cuz then it will use the hd for extra memory which slows down the game but thats only if it uses all of it up.

[Galway no Sora]

If your new PC running WinXP, then you can use it. I'm pretty sure some ppl here with 1GB of RAM in their rig will recommended you to do the same. If you want to play it well, a nice combination will be better than just 1GB of RAM. I mean a fast graphic card and processor. In this case I see you're choosing R9500Pro, thats good and fast, nice if you match him with Mrs.1GB . Besides, WinXP itself need atleast 256MB of RAM to run flewessly like Win98, as I did with 128MB and it damn slow like snail. I get mine [98SE] with 512MB and that's damn fast [IMO], with some optimizations.

[Quatro]

well if you have the money to spend, then get the 1gig... it woulod suit you best for whatever program that your gonna use it with...

[n_w95482]

Well if you guys think I should get 1 gb then I will. Last time I checked newegg 1 gb of the ram I was gonna get was $234 . I'll be able to pay for it, but I wish that it was a little cheaper than that. I plan on using this comp for a few years with minimal to moderate upgrades (processor and video card probably the only things that I would upgrade) so if you think that 1 gb will be better for the long run then I will get that instead.

[Quatro]

go for it... and enjoy the performance it would bring... hey, had you read the PC Magazines issue about making the dream PC? better take a look at it if you want...

[n_w95482]

No I haven't read that magazine before. How much did it cost (probably around $2500)? I am currently leaning towards 1 gb now but I will wait for some more opinions . I just wanna make sure that getting more is the best decision. I don't wanna get it and have it sit around (then again I would be able to buffer an entire cd in nero when I go to burn one ).

[Quatro]

I can't remember... but they recommend (as far as I can remember) a P4 3.0Ghz, 2Gig of RAM, (2) 120 GB HD, the latest graphic card of radeon ( I forgot )

[n_w95482]

Umm 2 gb of ram and 2 120 gb hd's is a little extreme for me . I'll just stick to 512 mb-1 gb mem, 80 gb hd and a 9500 pro.

[grahf]

As someone who owns 512mb, I would suggest going for 1gb. Why? Because most games these days are intense resource hog. IE WC3:FT. Man this is the one game where 512 is not even enough. I played a 12player map and geesh, it lag like a snail. Not even playable once you reach tier 2.

Besides, I'm guessing future games will be even more demanding than this seeing as how d3 is said to require 512mb. It's a safe investment if you ask me. I'm just waiting for the price to drop on pc2100 so I can pick up several sticks of 256 for under 60 bucks.

[Viperx25]

I've gone with a Gig of RAM since i started building my own PC' and i'll never get any less....XP just fourishes with 1GB . Definately if money is not an issue get the 1GB. Memory is fairly cheap now too so if you do it, get two 512MB if you do DDR cuz in Dual Channel mode they will perform better than four 256MB modules. I only payed $216 for my 1GB (two 512MB) on www.pricewatch.com so check there if your looking for a source. Also, get the best performance you can get..you'll have to check the mobo your getting but if you can do it, get 2.0-2-2-5-1 timing DDR. Any questions, don't hesitate to post...thats alot of info i know lol .

[n_w95482]

This is the memory that I was planning on buying, but the price for it has gone up almost $100 (it costs $320 now) . The timings for that memory is 2-3-2-6 although ppl have said that they have been able to get it to 2-2-2-5. The normal, less expensive version of that has 2-3-3-6 timings. I was going to get the kingston hyperx mem cuz it could go to 2-2-2-5 and because it was a lot cheaper than the corsair memory but ppl have had compatibility probs with some mboards (I plan on getting a abit NF7-S). I have no probs with getting the kingston memory, if it doesn't work right I can just return it and get something else . Should I go for higher latency/different model/different brand of memory?

[Viperx25]

heres a link for Kingston HyperX 512mb modules for $109 each if you don't mind buying online. I have the HyperX as you can see in my sig and have had no probs except that my conservative intel mobo can't utilize their full potential :P. I'm gonna get an MSI 865PE Neo 2 to fix that soon.

Here's the link:

http://www.buyxtremegear.com/hyp4.html

Edit: Actually thats the same place i bought mine lol...there pretty good .

[Demigod]

Originally Posted by n_w95482

Well I read the review on gamespot and they said that whenever they flew thru clouds the game slowed down but they had the rez set to 1600x1200. The comp they used was a p4 2.66 ghz, 1 gb ram and a 9700 pro. I just didn't want it to run out of ram while I am playing it cuz then it will use the hd for extra memory which slows down the game but thats only if it uses all of it up.

Fog and smoke effects usually slow down a lot of games *cough*Counter-Strike*cough*, and it's not due to lack of memory, but the graphics card. There is really nothing you can do about it in the case, except maybe use a lower resolution.

Originally Posted by grahf

As someone who owns 512mb, I would suggest going for 1gb. Why? Because most games these days are intense resource hog. IE WC3:FT. Man this is the one game where 512 is not even enough. I played a 12player map and geesh, it lag like a snail. Not even playable once you reach tier 2.

Slowdowns in games are not typical of strained RAM resources. Hard drive thrashing and long loading times are. Check task manager to see how much RAM you're using when playing the game.

[andré]

what is this memory timing stuff. could someone fill me in on that?

[GSDragoon]

Hey, I have these 2 cupons for $50 off 1GB Kingston memory. All you have to do is put in the code in the cupon box. I'm not going to use it, so if you want to get that kind, I'll be glad to give you the code. The 1 code will give you $50 off 1GB ram purchase (2 512mb sticks). It has to be off their site. They have free shipping too I believe. Go to www.kingston.com/x to buy. Any type of ram will work. The HyperX is suppost to be good.

Total price for 1GB HyperX pc3200 would cost $248.

[Viperx25]

Originally Posted by andré

what is this memory timing stuff. could someone fill me in on that?

Check out this article on the topic:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20030701/index.html