Is 4G ram over kill for a Dell Inspiron 8500?

[Aqua Pro Builder]

On the tech side if you use there online tool it detects the ram you have in the system and how many slots are open so you dont even need to crack the case.

that's something.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

So what do you use the computer for Wingo?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

So what do you use the computer for Wingo?

I use this laptop for editing almost everything except intense gaming. Even if I game, the game are so old that it makes no difference with even a Geforce II type thing.

However, I use two video outputs 1920x1280 and a second one 1280 x 1024. Therefore, I think when I open too many windows, the system slowed down. I have 768M in it right now. Since it's 768M thus the arrangement is not paired evenly so I do NOT get the dual read/write of DDR ram.

I usually have many pages (like 10 15 of them)of the web online at the same time for my own product research, answering fishy stuff questions and my clients' electronic gadgets issues. I want to enjoy some music or a movie while I am doing that. But, whenever I play media like mp3, DVD, and such my machine slow down. I turn on any memory hog like Power Point and such, it slow down too. Good that Photoshop does not slow down my system. So I guess, my applications are using too much RAM and cause constant swapping.

Oh, I constantly need to run the media playing applications like VLC and eventually wil need to turn on the editing ones as well, Power Point, Excel(many worksheets all at once), and photoshop.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I don't know what your laptops specs are or how old it is but there are very cheap graphics cards out now that are designed to run 2 displays and moderate graphics which would take some of the load off the ram and processor. Is this all being run off the laptop alone? You might have some heat issues if that is the case.

 

[wxl14]

Sounds like you need a desktop. Cause you are doing way more then you laptop is made to do. if it only has 768 mb ram. It probobly means that by todays standerds your laptop is not up to par. When you talk about editing, outlook and media player word excel. these are all process ho's. Also I think there is a problem with your 768 mb of ram. It should not be at 768 mb unless a your ram is not syncing right or your mb is set up for ddr and you dont have ddr sticks in. Check it out cause you should not be showing 768 mb ram. disable your mother boards Dual Channnel support if you are not running all DDR ram. 256 512 1024... etc etc. are the only correct configs for ram if they are working properly. a stick of 512 and 256 will add up to 768 but will not work well together.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure the dimms will dial down to the lowest stick in them as far as speed goes maybe even the memory? I know they will downgrade the higher mhz stick to the same speed as the lower one. So an 800mhz and a 600mhz will both only run at 600mhz.

 

[Quang]

Wingo, here's a website that helps you determine how much RAM you have on your system, etc.:

http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx?g...84583:mz07e9bkawcaaglaczoaaaag:20080611231401

I say go for 4 gigs of RAM. Although you have an old Dell, incase you want to run windows vista one day on it, you'll be ready. Plus, memory sticks are cheap nowadays.

 

[NYreefNoob]

it will only run as fast as the slowest stick, and bfg video cards allow you to run dual screen's or atleast mine does i have the 8800gt oc and love it, alll the ram wont do no good either if the video card wont keep up

 

[lfsmarineguy]

almost all of the higher end card swill let you run dual monitors and even some of the lower ones. I just got the XFX 9800 gtx and I'm in love. Think I can go up to 2600 x 19something on 2 displays with this one but I don't see me ever really using a second screen right now. Depending on what your doing though, an independent card can make a world of difference with your memory.

 

[NYreefNoob]

lfs you got the sli slot's ? i can run dual vid cards as well, but now that i still only play war craft 3 i dont really need what i have,

 

[inked]

wingo upgrade it to the 2 gig you will definately see a performance increase. You will have to buy 2 1 gig sticks but at least you will be sure they are both the same speed. As far as the video card forget upgrading it in a laptop. Thats the biggest downside to buying a laptop your upgrades are limited.