J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I have an Athlon XP 1700 system and was thinking of putting an extra 256 ddr in to make it 512, will I notice any difference, have had some stuttering in games (Geforce 3 ti 200) and the mobo is optimized with performance settings (Epox 8kha +)

Its only 37 quid but is it worth it (2100 DDR from Micro direct)

Fatman

First-off, check how heavily your system is using the memory it has now. What operating system are you usign? If it's something NT-based (Windows NT, 2000, XP) then check the Task Manager (Performance tab). Look for the amount of physical and 'paged' memory in use. If the paged memory is high (and the physical memory is all used), then you could perhaps benefit from more RAM.

Also check if there's any background applications you could shut down to save the memory you do have.

Stuttering of games could be from a number of things. For example, check you have up-to-date Detonator drivers and that your hard drive isn't excessively fragmented.

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

If you are talking the latest games like Battlefield 1942, then along with fragmentation (which by the sounds of it, you know all about), memory is playing a heavy part in it nowadays. Recommended upgrade, if you are playing the latest and greatest. Proven to cure a lot of problems with the above game for instance.

Cheers,

Nick

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Fatman, cheers, its XP Professional with the latest detonator drivers, task manager has however stopped working which I am looking at, suspect its a virus which probably serves me right (Winmx, Doom trailer)

I was thinking for the sake of 37 quid, is it worth the major investigation ?

Just discover the WORM KLEZ.H virus, bloody great......

Fatman

Here's some info on cleaning your system up if it does have a Klez.H infection. Symantec have also provided a removal tool. Once cleaned up, apply/reapply Service Pack 1. That should fix your Task Manager issues.

Fatman

...after that, yeah go crazy. Buy more RAM. I'd go for Crucial RAM myself on that board. A tad more expensive, but probably better stuff and it has a reasonable warranty.

But I'm a hardware snob (1Gb Corsair XMS Damn-Fast memory).