Are programs that free up Ram worth the trouble.

I'm curious as I've asked this question before and was sent to the malware forum where my machine was found to be clean. I have an AMD Sempron 2200+ with 1 GB of Ram with XP home. I'm wondering whether to try a program that frees up Ram, or whether to upgrade my Ram capacity to 2 GB. The reason for asking about this is, anytime I boot up or call up an Internet site, my Ram maxes out for a while. I wondered if adding a Ram program or just adding more ram would be worth the trouble of trying a program or the expense of adding more Ram cards?

 

The only one worth testing is CleanMem: http://majorgeeks.com/CleanMem_d5993.html

 

OK, thanks satrow, I'll give it a try.

 

I tried that cleanMem program but it didn't seem to make any difference. I even have Flash disabled as well. Thanks for helping out anyway.

 

>> I'm wondering whether to try a program that frees up Ram, or whether to upgrade my Ram capacity to 2 GB. The reason for asking about this is, anytime I boot up or call up an Internet site, my Ram maxes out for a while. I wondered if adding a Ram program or just adding more ram would be worth the trouble of trying a program or the expense of adding more Ram cards? Blueone <<

My advice would be to add more RAM. Generally speaking; MORE RAM is almost always a good thing. While I have seen many users in various computer-related forums who have been disappointed and regretted downloading and installing various so-called Ram Optimizers; I have yet to meet anyone who actually regretted adding more RAM memory to improve the performance on their laptop or PC computer.

Many years ago RAM memory was prohibitively expensive; but nowadays is dirt cheap – the prices have really come WAY down in the last few years. I can remember a long time ago; ordering a 512 MB stick for an old Dell Dimension 4100 (which had only a measly 128 MB) and I believe it cost something like 75 dollars+ S & H! Nowadays a 2MB memory stick usually goes for only around 20-25 dollars.

Important Notes: Make sure to find out the exactly type of memory which is allowed (i.e. type/make/model of RAM, etc), for your computer. And I would most definitely shop for and buy it somewhere other than the manufacturer of your computer. Mega-Computer Companies like Gateway, Compaq, and Dell are notorious for unreasonably upping the price of peripherals and add-ons. Once you know the compatible rams "exact" type/make/model that you need to use - it is actually relatively easy to open your case and install the RAM yourself. Paying someone to install memory for you is like buying a new vacuum cleaner just because the dust and dirt filled bag is full! Like I said earlier, RAM does not cost as much as it used to (especially if you shop around), and it is one of the better investments you can make in your system performance.

Side Notes: If you decide that you do not want to install more RAM: with regard to the "best" memory optimizers; I have actually tested many of these "programs that free up Ram" with mixed results. As satrow mentioned "CleanMem" is a good one. Another good one IMO would be the memory optimizer that comes with the Glary Utilities freeware program; which automatically detects how much memory you have installed and sets the proper optimization (but users can also adjust it manually, if you like). It can easily be set to optionally run at startup.

Good Luck! -- COMP​

 

Thanks for the tips COMPUABLE. The most ram I could add would be 1GB as 2GBs is the limit for my computer. Even though that would double my ram, I still wondered if the improvement in performance was worth it. Two 1GB cards of ram runs about $50 total and that's at a decent discount site. Thanks for the name of the other optimizer; I might give it a try.

 

Advance System care use this program has a Auto Ram cleaner and does work as long as you set it up right.

Advance system care 5
http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5927

only cost 20$ or so for a year year license

But works well havent had a issue with it

But as COMPUABLE says i would upgrade your ram too its max amount it will run a little bit faster.I would try http://www.newegg.com/ they are pretty good i use them all the time.

 

>> Thanks for the tips COMPUABLE. The most ram I could add would be 1GB as 2GBs is the limit for my computer. Even though that would double my ram, I still wondered if the improvement in performance was worth it. Two 1GB cards of ram runs about $50 total and that's at a decent discount site. Thanks for the name of the other optimizer; I might give it a try. Blueone <<

Oh, anytime Blueone... If it's DDR ram, it can be pretty hard to find. And it can sometimes be a bit expensive even though it is an older type of RAM memory. Another problem that you could be running into; aside from running only one gigabyte of ram - is that the Sempron is actually AMD's low-end CPU; which replaced the old Duron processor. The AMD Sempron 2200+ is a single-core microprocessor and is actually an older model (which was originally released in mid-2004), and also has a fairly meager operating frequency of 1.5GHz.

Aside from all that; back in the 'good old days' one gigabyte would have actually been more than enough. However, nowadays I recommend 2GB (at a minimum) for XP, Vista and Win 7 operating system users, primarily because most software applications require more available memory. In fact, the vast majority of updated or upgrades of software programs these days - like 98% of the time, almost always require more and more RAM in order to run properly. This is especially true for those users who constantly are running two or more applications at a time.

As an example of this, my brother's friend recently asked me to help him to upgrade the RAM on his fairly new Dell Inspiron; which was running Windows 7 and had only 1GB memory installed. He said the reason he wanted to upgrade was because the computer was taking a long time to boot-up and after that programs were running very slowly; especially when he was running more than one software program at a time. I told him that Windows 7 absolutely requires at least 2GB in order to function properly, at least in my opinion. Anyway, putting in the additional memory stick was a snap and when I plugged the computer back in and booted it up, no action was required - it instantaneously recognized and began using the additional RAM. The difference in speed was immediate and dramatic. Programs ran much faster and the increase in boot-up speed was very noticeable.

Good Luck! -- COMP​

 

One of the easiest, fastest, and cheapest upgrades you will find.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. I realize my computer is old and low powered compared to the computers now days. I've had this one about 8 years and I knew then that it wasn't the most powerful of it's time but it was a giant leap from the 266MHz I had. This is only my second computer and for what it is, it isn't doing too badly. I would love to have a computer with a 3.5GHz processor that has a lot of pep. I don't do any gaming but do like to watch movies and TV shows on line. Oh well, maybe I'll spring for one sometime down the road. In the meantime, I'd just like this one to be all it can be. :>)

 

Try this site.

http://www.crucial.com/

 

Thanks yukon98, I've already ran that program and found the ram I need. I appreciate your input though.