2GB to 3GB - Any noticeable difference?

Is there any noticeable difference in general speed, or gaming performance, like in FSX, by going from 2GB of RAM to 3GB??
If you put 2 x 2GB sticks in to a machine running Vista Basic, it will only use 3GB, correct? What about XP?
thx!

 

Will only use something like 3.24 gig. But Id like to future proof upto 4gb, Id also like to know difference between 2 - 3gig etc

 

32-bit Vista or 32-bit XP have the same memory addressing limit (3.24GB I read somewhere), but 64-bit versions can handle more than 4GB RAM (if the chipset supports it and if you can find the modules).

Whether you will benefit going past 2GB depends on your current RAM usage. If Task Manager shows you are using up most /all of your physical memory then more will help since this reduces the need to use the page file on the HDD. Vista will also use any spare RAM for SuperFetch which will improve responsiveness.

Benchmarks don't show and change with more RAM, because they don't try to measure this type of behaviour. If, when switching applications there is a pause and frantic HDD activity (indicative of using the virtual memory), then more RAM will help.

John

 

32 bit xp ccan only use 3.24gb ram, 64 bit all 4gb

 

On Santa Rosa laptops, you will see 3.5 GB out of 4 in Vista, and I don't know why XP should be different.

There is definitely a difference in performance feel between 2 and 3 GB in Vista, though XP can do just fine with 2 GB; it depends on what you're doing with it. XP with 4 GB has to be experienced to be believed.

Personally, with 4 GB available for ~$150 after rebate, I'd get 4 GB for any Vista laptop.

 

I upgraded to 3gb ram simply because I got a great deal on it. I didnt have a need for it, but it goes a good way in future proofing my notebook. In a few years, I will upgrade fully to 4gb if 64bit computing becomes a simpler task(drivers etc.). The difference for me with 3gb is not so noticable, but that is probably because I like to run a clean machine without too many processes/services running.

 

I assume most people (myself included) would keep the 1gb chip under the keyboard and add a 2gb in the accessible slot. So, my question would be: would using two different chips (and thus depriving the machine of its dual channel advantages) negate any advantage gained by adding the extra gig of memory?

 

I added 1.5 gb in my desktop to make it 3.5gb total......... I really feel no noticeable difference in anything with the upgrade from 2 to 3.5gb on Vista 32bit

 

I would go 4GB if you are going to go 3 because you can maintain dual channel that way and who knows if maybe somehow you will really be able to address all of it sometime?

 

That's what I did. I didn't really play with they system much with 2GB alone. I just tested it, and installed the extra 2GB in Slot B.

Bioshock demo works great in 1680x1050, though! I figure games will benefit, because some memory can be used for VRAM cache and not deprive the system of main memory.

I'm running the T7300 CPU, as well.

The Vostro 1500 is a snappy system. I really like it. Even if comparing it to a PowerBook is like comparing a donkey and a racehorse.