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    1GB vs 2GB

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Paradigm1979, Jul 27, 2005.

  1. Paradigm1979

    Paradigm1979 Newbie

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    Hi guys. I just bought a Dell 700m. I'm upgrading to either 1GB or 2GB of memory. Difference in price (from newegg) seems about $130. Is it worth the extra memory? I web browse, occ. work with photo shop and create DVDs. Is it totally uselses?
     
    Paradigm1979, Jul 27, 2005
    #1
  2. TriviallyTravis

    TriviallyTravis Notebook Consultant

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    I would think that 2 Gig is overkill for the applications you listed. Unless you are doing lots of hardcore 3D video rendering, 1 Gig should probably be enough.
     
    TriviallyTravis, Jul 27, 2005
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  3. LuckMC11

    LuckMC11 Computer Extraoirdinaire NBR Reviewer

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    yea...the most i would go 2 is prob. 1.25 GB RAM for now
     
    LuckMC11, Jul 27, 2005
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  4. cksuh76

    cksuh76 Notebook Consultant

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    1GB would be just good enough for you.
     
    cksuh76, Jul 27, 2005
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  5. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I dont think 2GB is useful right now. I have 1GB, and I play Doom3, Counter strike source, plus i do multitasking, and I have never had a problem with the 1GB. When I go 64 bit I will get 1.5 to 2gb since the 64 bit can make use of it much better than regular winxp.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jul 27, 2005
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  6. lapboy

    lapboy Notebook Deity

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    2 gb is like a Ferrari in a downtown traffic :p
     
    lapboy, Jul 27, 2005
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  7. samurai

    samurai Notebook Consultant

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    New York traffic! 1GB should last you for the lifetime of that notebook.
     
    samurai, Jul 27, 2005
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  8. Skyshade

    Skyshade Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Well, there is this trick that make a RAM disk and store all your temporary internet stuff and other things in it. You will be flying when doing certain things, but it is not without problem if you don't know what you are doing. Invest the money on a 7200 HDD is a much better choice than 2 GB of RAM for most people.
     
    Skyshade, Jul 27, 2005
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  9. bmhome1

    bmhome1 Notebook Consultant

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    Upping my RAM from 1GB to 1.5GB made a huge difference with Photoshop CS2 and TMPGEnc video conversions and TMPG DVD Authoring, even with 7200 hard drive on board already. Get the 2GB!
     
    bmhome1, Jul 27, 2005
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  10. azntiger1000

    azntiger1000 Notebook Deity

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    i would go for the 1gb. but actually 512 is enough, but 1gb sure does make a lot of difference. but the difference between 1gb and 2gb has no effect unless you are just a hardcore multitasker
     
    azntiger1000, Jul 28, 2005
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  11. KrispyKreme50

    KrispyKreme50 Notebook Evangelist

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    And even with 512 MB, the performance you get is no slouch either.
     
    KrispyKreme50, Jul 28, 2005
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  12. pcharouz

    pcharouz Notebook Evangelist

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    Photoshop uses mainly ram and graphic card so I would go with the 2gig if you have enough money to invest
     
    pcharouz, Jul 28, 2005
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  13. Aleksandr

    Aleksandr Notebook Enthusiast

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    how does a ramdisk work?
     
    Aleksandr, Jul 28, 2005
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  14. azntiger1000

    azntiger1000 Notebook Deity

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    ramdisk is like a temp hard drive where you can put stuff in it. usually the things in the ramdisk can be run very fast. but its kinda dangerous to put important stuff in there even for a temp time because if the power goes out, bam all the files are gone
     
    azntiger1000, Jul 28, 2005
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  15. mtrivs

    mtrivs Notebook Evangelist

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    I use photoshop and imageready with 1.5GB ram and it zings right along! Definately 1GB is enough though!
     
    mtrivs, Jul 29, 2005
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  16. azntiger1000

    azntiger1000 Notebook Deity

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    oh one thing i know that 1gb can really make a difference other than gaming is movie editing. oh man does it help a lot. :rolleyes:
     
    azntiger1000, Jul 30, 2005
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  17. gizmodo

    gizmodo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does it matter if you mix rams? For example: mixing your dell ram with newegg ram. Thanks.
     
    gizmodo, Jul 30, 2005
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  18. td5

    td5 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Photoshop doesnt really 'use' graphics card, just the 2D acceleration part which even integrated units could do.
     
    td5, Jul 30, 2005
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  19. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Mixing ram is fine, as long as the ram you buy is designed for your specific model.

    -Vb-

     
    Venombite, Jul 30, 2005
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  20. gizmodo

    gizmodo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks. Also, does it matter if 1 slot is 1gb ram, and the other slot os 256mb ram? I've heard that it' better if both slots are 512, or 1gb, or 256. Basically, if they are paired up, it's faster. Is that true or an urban legend?
     
    gizmodo, Jul 30, 2005
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  21. LuckMC11

    LuckMC11 Computer Extraoirdinaire NBR Reviewer

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    it is true that 2 512 MB RAM chips are faster than 1 1 GB RAM stick..but only if the laptop supports dual channel...and the 2 sticks of RAM are the same
     
    LuckMC11, Jul 30, 2005
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  22. gizmodo

    gizmodo Notebook Enthusiast

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    how do you find out if your laptop is dual channel?
     
    gizmodo, Jul 30, 2005
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  23. LuckMC11

    LuckMC11 Computer Extraoirdinaire NBR Reviewer

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    i used CPU-Z and some other programs as well
     
    LuckMC11, Jul 31, 2005
    #23