Preferred User
Engorged Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2005
- Messages
- 659
- Reaction score
- 554
I had an hour between appointments so stopped at the computer store and bought another 512 of RAM to add to my ThinkPad’s current 512. What a waste of $70. Seemed like no difference at all. So before I took the 512 back to get my $70, I ran some unscientific speed tests.
I made sure Windows was managing my page file…no custom settings. Made a shortcut on my desktop to page two of Spastic Camel’s Fitness Models thread (because it has a lot of pics). Cleared my Firefox cache. Then rebooted. First with 512 of RAM, then with 1024 RAM and timed various tasks.
512 RAM (boot with cleared Firefox cache)
Boot up................................................................................65 seconds
Exp0sed thread...................................................................30 seconds
Clear cache, Outlook & Word, then Exp0sed thread.............28 seconds
1,024 RAM (boot with cleared Firefox cache)
Boot up................................................................................64 seconds
Exp0sed thread...................................................................34 seconds
Clear cache, Outlook & Word, then Exp0sed thread.............25 seconds
And to think I stood there debating whether to go for the 1 Gig module to add to my 512!
Take all the shots you want. I know it's not an exact study. But it did confirm my suspicion...that I really don't need more RAM. Now I do have an ATI video card with built in RAM so your notebook might be different. But if you have a clean running computer (meaning no unnecessary processes running), your 512 is probably just fine.
I made sure Windows was managing my page file…no custom settings. Made a shortcut on my desktop to page two of Spastic Camel’s Fitness Models thread (because it has a lot of pics). Cleared my Firefox cache. Then rebooted. First with 512 of RAM, then with 1024 RAM and timed various tasks.
512 RAM (boot with cleared Firefox cache)
Boot up................................................................................65 seconds
Exp0sed thread...................................................................30 seconds
Clear cache, Outlook & Word, then Exp0sed thread.............28 seconds
1,024 RAM (boot with cleared Firefox cache)
Boot up................................................................................64 seconds
Exp0sed thread...................................................................34 seconds
Clear cache, Outlook & Word, then Exp0sed thread.............25 seconds
And to think I stood there debating whether to go for the 1 Gig module to add to my 512!
Take all the shots you want. I know it's not an exact study. But it did confirm my suspicion...that I really don't need more RAM. Now I do have an ATI video card with built in RAM so your notebook might be different. But if you have a clean running computer (meaning no unnecessary processes running), your 512 is probably just fine.