Ram

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 09:47

I have a Dell Dimension 8250 with 256K of RAM, 2.4GHz etc. I use windows XP. Problem is, games jerk and freeze a lot. Mafia, C&C Generals all jerk. is it because 256K RAM isn't enough or what. Can someone help me or something?

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 09:48

Type of RAM i use; Non-ECC PC1600 RDRAM

Skanky Burns · September 22, 2003, 09:54

XP itself uses up to 256mb of RAM. Not enough memory is a likely cause of your problems.
What graphics card does your system have?

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 09:56

i have a 128mb ATI Raedon 9700 TX, i have 2 HDDs. a 30GB and 20 GB one

Grumbold · September 22, 2003, 09:56

I'd suggest 512mb Ram as the minimum acceptable amount to run software on top of XP, and you'll see better results if you can afford more.

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 09:59

dell are selling 512mb RAM for just over £200!! Ive seen what looks like the same stuff for £110, does it make a difference if u buy away from what the manufacturer recommends

Zopperoni · September 22, 2003, 10:01

Quote:

Originally posted by TCTopQuality
is it because 256K RAM isn't enough or what.

256K is certainly not enough =)

But yea, 256 MB neither, especially not for C&C Generals.

My PC (P4 - 2.4 GHz; 1,024 MB RAM; 128 MB ATi Radeon 9500) had a hard time sometimes when I launched a massive SCUD Storm.

Skanky Burns · September 22, 2003, 10:03

Any source for your memory will do. One thing to keep in mind though is that all your memory will go at the speed the slowest memory uses. The best idea is to get the same type and brand of memory.

Of course, warranty will be affected by using non-dell sources. If that matters to you.

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 10:04

no, i just want my PC to run games properly

Cookie Monster · September 22, 2003, 10:05

Quote:

Originally posted by TCTopQuality
dell are selling 512mb RAM for just over £200!! Ive seen what looks like the same stuff for £110, does it make a difference if u buy away from what the manufacturer recommends

Don't buy extra memory from Dell, it's too expensive. I have a Dell that runs XP and I've upgraded from 256mb to 512mb. I bought 2 sticks of 256mb for about US$100 from Best Buy. Definately noticed a slight improvement boot up times but not too much of an improvement in my games. Therefor I'm saving up for another upgrade to 1Gb of RAM.

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 10:07

would 768mb ram be enough

Skanky Burns · September 22, 2003, 10:18

I run 768 mb, runs my games fine.

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 10:53

ok, thanks

Urban Ranger · September 22, 2003, 11:02

PC1600? Isn't that a bit slow?

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 11:03

thats what came with the PC. Would it be better changing to a faster type of DDR instead of staying with slower, more expensive RDRAM

Urban Ranger · September 22, 2003, 11:09

Wait. You have RDRAM in your system?

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 11:10

yeh, 1600mhz non-ecc RDRAM

Urban Ranger · September 22, 2003, 11:14

Quote:

Specifications: With a 3.06-GHz Intel Pentium 4, 1GB 1,066-MHz RDRAM, 200GB hard drive, 4x DVD+RW/+R drive, 16X DVD-ROM drive, ATI Radeon 9700 Pro, 18-inch 1800FP LCD monitor

Oh bugger, this thing costs an arm and a leg.

If you have RDRAM, you are stuck. You can't switch to DDR-RAM. Speed of RDRAM is calculated differently from DDR-RAM.

Oh man, why would you buy this thing?

TCTopQuality · September 22, 2003, 11:16

i thought RDRAM was good. If its speed is calculated differently and if its faster than DDR, whats the problem with RDRAM

Urban Ranger · September 22, 2003, 11:35

It's good for some things, such as streaming video compression. IIRC, it's not as good for general applications.

asleepathewheel · September 22, 2003, 14:14

RDRAM

Too expensive.

I would try www.pricewatch.com for modules

You do know you have to buy them a pair at a time, right?

I upgraded my Dell 8100 to 784 (or whatever) mb, and runs a lot better, wish I could afford to get two 512 sticks.

My current issue with my dell is the damned powersupply. Mine burned out last week and have been waiting for a new one to arrive. Dell uses 250 watt supplies (they claim it rates higher) and the added stress of an upgraded video card, ram, and finally a new harddrive apparently popped it.

and dell uses an oddball psu, at least in the 8100, more expensive to order from a dealer online.

Spaced Cowboy · September 22, 2003, 14:36

Here's a lesson for all of you. Build your own PCs. It is not that hard to do, and you'll end up with an upgradable machine in the end.

H Tower · September 22, 2003, 15:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaced Cowboy
Here's a lesson for all of you. Build your own PCs. It is not that hard to do, and you'll end up with an upgradable machine in the end.

not everyone is so technically minded.

Spaced Cowboy · September 22, 2003, 16:12

True H Tower, but everybody has one of those friends that would be more than glad to help. In the process you might learn something, like how to fix it when it acts up on you. Also there are just way too many on-line how to's on this subject.

I learned to hate the prebuilt PCs, from trying to upgrade them in the past. I'm on PC #7 and computer #11 (Geek!)

In the end it is simple really.

mobo
memory
processor /w heat/fan combo
Graphics card
Sound card (although most new mobos have this and lan built in)
power supply
HD
Floppy (what?)
CDRW
DVD (RW optional)
And a *****in' case to put it all in.

That being said, I'll be building a new one soon. And I do have one of those buddies. He has to build a top-o-the-line PC every year, but hardly uses it.

MichaeltheGreat · September 22, 2003, 17:15

Quote:

Originally posted by H Tower

not everyone is so technically minded.

It's really dirt simple. That's why places like Dell, etc., don't pay people much to do it, or hire people with brains.

The difference is you can get exactly what you want, for the best price.

Spaced Cowboy · September 22, 2003, 18:25

Exactly, thanks MTG

Cookie Monster · September 22, 2003, 20:15

I've promised myself the next time it's time to buy a new rig I'll just update my current one. I know it can't be that hard.

Urban Ranger · September 22, 2003, 22:51

Depends on whether your mobo can support the existing batch of CPUs or not, though.

Rasbelin · September 22, 2003, 23:53

I'm a DIY person and haven't had anything OEM built for ages (except for my laptop PC, which is quite reasonable). And yes, it's not that hard, but you do need to know all the basics about hardware and be cautious, as it's your responsibility to get it working; not the component manufacturers'.

DrSpike · September 23, 2003, 06:50

I've had 512MB for a long time now............next upgrade I'll get more. Up to a point extra RAM makes a large difference for relatively painless additional spending.

But I guess that might not be the case for the super-expensive RDRAM.