Amount of RAM for Vista

I read several times on this forum that 2GB of RAM is recommended for Vista. I was wondering if I would notice a significant increase in performance if I would get 3GB of RAM?
If so, can I install a 2GB Crucial stick in a T61 that already has a 1GB stick, creating a total of 3GB, or would i have to install two 1.5GB sticks or something (do they even make 1.5GB sticks)? I'm asking cause I read about some problems about incompatible RAM in some Thinkpads. Thanks.

 

The extra memory will help you with multiple applications open, but Vista itself will not benefit from more than 2gb significantly.
1.5gb sticks do not exist...you would do 2gb and then 1gb.....I am guessing you are looking at T60 or R60....as 61s are 4GB max now.

 

Thanks for the advice. Actually I'm waiting for the T61p because of the 570m. I just don't see the need of spending so much money (especially if I buy it straight through lenovo) on 3GB or 4GB of RAM if it won't significantly increase performance. I think I'll just stick with 2GB of RAM for now. Thanks.

 

Yes well unless you are going to be gaming much then 2GB is your best performance choice.

 

No, you should buy 1GB 1 dimm from them (as this upgrade is usually cheap) then you should go buy another stick from an online seller (I just bought one from Newegg.com for $39.98 shipped 1GB)
Memory is getting cheaper and cheaper as there are next generation of design coming out.
2GB should be plenty.

 

edit: im personally getting the 1gb stick (extra $6 i think over the 2 512s) from lenovo. Then add a 2gb stick to get to 3gb. I do a lot of photo and video editing, so this should help

 

I am assuming you are getting the something other than T61? T61 comes with 2 sticks of 512mb minimum.

 

no, it now comes with 512 base

 

I agree with that statement and that's how I ordered my T60. I purchased an additional 1GB stick from Mushkin for $42.50 shipped. Vista runs great with 2GB, with 46 processes memory commitment is at 24 percent. With 1GB it was at 53 percent.

 

Something to consider - if you are like myself and plan to run vista 64 as a host for virtual machines you will want more memory. In fact you will want as much as you can afford.

 

I did not notice this. Those cheap bastards at Lenovo......

 

Personally, I went with 1GB from Lenovo (1 DIMM) as that suits my immediate needs quite well, however depending on prices, I plan to upgrade to either 2 or 3GB in the near future by just throwing another stick in.

For how well Vista runs with "only" 1GB, well it's very close to how XP runs with that much (as long as you don't have a bunch of preinstall junk running that is); the main difference being that when you *do* get that extra gig or two, Vista will make good use of it to improve the overall feel just that extra bit more. Just make sure there isn't a ton of stuff running that you don't want; my T60 came with close to 80 processes running on the factory install, it's currently in the 60's for me after a fresh install, and that's with all my stuff installed and the usual apps running.