Tweak - Upgraded to 1GB physical RAM

I upgraded to a 1GB Physical RAM from 512MB. I am looking for suggestions as to what I should change to optimize my system in Performance>Advanced>Virtual Memory (custom settings now at 768/1536 and >Memory Usage (programs or system cache). Also, Visual Effects, do I need them all checked.

I use my PC primarily for games.

This is what I have:

Pentium 4 2.53 GHz w/Nivdia GeForce FX 5600 AGP 8X 256MB.

 

minimum and base should always be the same; people mostly use 1.5x the amount of ram you have minimum AND maximum. if your ram is low latency and high bandwidth you shouldnt depend on virtual memory much unless you play mmorpgs, since accessing your hard drive (which is probably 7200rpm) that is loaded with stuff would cause lag issues.

 

Kill the Visual Effects unless you really like them. They do degrade performance somewhat, although with the amount of RAM you have it may not be a huge jump.

 

if no one else will say it, i will, more ( atleast up to 1GB) is ALWAYS better.

 

The 1.5x your ram rule is incorrect.

If you have 128mb of ram in XP, then 192 is gonna crash you.

If you have 2gb, then 3gb is wasted hard disk space.

Kodo mentioned an excellent way to set your virtual memory some time back.


http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=62811&page=1&pp=20&highlight=Kodo+page Post number 10.

 

I'd put the money in a new graphics card if I was you ... if and only if you're a gamer that is