Should I buy more RAM?

<p>So I think this should be an easy question to answer.<br /><br />I have a computer I bought back in 2008 - back then it was around 1800 bucks - HP - quad core duo intel processors (I think this is essentially two dual 2.4 ghz processors paired together) - 3 gigs of ram - has like 6 USB 2.0 ports, monitor is like a stock HP monitor 21 inch. 600 gb hard drive + a 300 gb 2nd - it appears to have 2 of these expansion bays below the CD-rom drive - it also has some sort of HP specific looking plug in memory bay. Also a NVIDIA video card I bought last year - its a GTX 550 model I believe.<br /><br />Anyway, I just upgraded from D90 to D7100...its not that bad really, I had been a bit annoyed with the performance for a little while now, but it really is not bad for the most part...but I would like it to be a bit snappier when loading images (takes sometimes 8-10 seconds to resolve a photo) - ive noticed now when adjusting levels and such (I use capture NX2 btw) it really is much less responsive as well...it will take 8ish seconds to change each adjustment.<br /><br />And even just little things, like when using view NX2 and tagging the photos as "keepers" and what not, this has always been a bit laggy (although in this case, the delay is only a couple seconds - still, you would think that would be instant?).<br /><br />Anyway, my workflow was not lightning fast with D90 images in RAW, but with D7100 it shot me down a bit more.<br /><br />I have cache set up btw on 2nd hard-drive, and keep cache cleared - this helps quite a bit.<br /><br />I do plan on this year (PERHAPS) testing the waters of photoshop....some I have spoke to on PN suggested that it will be a next step for me.....im still skeptical that I have the time to screw with it....we shall see...I am interested....Its just time is tight.<br /><br />I do not do video editing btw...although I would like to be able to do a bit of it for splicing together clips of our home movies later.<br /><br />-------<br /><br />ANyway - MY QUESTION is:<br /><br />Should I just bump in some RAM into this machine? I have never installed RAM and I am not even sure how to know how much expansion space is available? My uncle tells me you just plug it in...its that easy...<br /><br />I guess if I think in the next year that I will need to upgrade computers, I hate to throw money at this one, I guess my question is regarding the processor and mother board? <br /><br />What RAM should I buy and from where? How do I install it? <br /><br />Oh, and I want to buy a couple external hardrives...probably two 2 TB drives...brand recommendations and from where is advisable? Not sure how these would be installed either, but for their purposes, I guess I could run them USB and Sync them whenever I upload photos from camera....currently I have only a 500gb external drive<br /><br />Im pretty sure the RAM upgrade will uptick my performace to an acceptable level for me - a hobbyist, who will sit and process 10-100 photos at any given time...nothing massive much like wedding and other folks...very little batch stuff tbh - nothing like that so far, or in the near future...</p>

<p>Yes, more RAM will help ... some. It is indeed easy to install. But depending on the configuration of the motherboard, you'll probably be REPLACING the RAM with higher-capacity DIMMs, rather than adding to what's there. <br /><br />But a lot of your laggy performance could be related to caching behavior in NX2, and/or a not-well-defragged working drive. How often do you defrag the storage in that aging machine? </p>

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<p>a computer I bought back in 2008 ... 3 gigs of ram</p>

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<p>More RAM would help IF you have a 64-bit system (I'm guessing your system probably came with 32-bit Vista).</p>

<p>Right. If you're using a 32bit OS (check in 'System'), then anything more than 4G is a waste since it won't be addressable by the OS.</p>

<p>Exactly, first check which operating system and whether it's 64-bits... if it's a 32-bits OS, adding RAM won't help much (also considering that CaptureNX2 itself can never use more than 2GB if it's the 32-bits version). Even so.... keeping the money safe to do a proper upgrade might be nicer.<br>

CaptureNX2 always worked quite OK on my PC (2007, Core 2 Duo with 4GB and 32-bits Vista), I gave it a try with a D800 RAW file, and it worked smoother than I imagined. Worth checking though whether the Image Cache is disabled - disabling this did speed up the software quite a bit.<br>

But reason I say to better do a real upgrade is because I just did so myself, and now see how CaptureNX2 (64-bits) works on a new machine (with quite decent specs; Core i5, 32GB RAM, plus a SSD) - now, there is a quantum leap forward. I simply would not put money into a 5-year old desktop anymore.</p>

<p>I would also check to see if several unneeded programs are getting loaded at Startup. These can use memory, and by either "unloading" / unistalling (depending on what they are) you may get a little better performance.<br>

Start by checking your system tray (bottom right corner) for things like HP updaters, Quicktime, all non-essential programs. Right click on them and see if you can change the options to NOT load at startup.<br>

otherwise, try typing Start, Run, then type msconfig in the run box<br>

Then go to Startup tab and uncheck things you can recognize as programs you don't need.<br>

Adding RAM should help if you can also. Good Luck - Google your pc model or go to the Manuf website they should have directions on adding more Memory, or ask a geeky friend it is easy.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>all very well said<br>

My HP dual core 3400 has 4g but windows xp 32 bit<br>

and the mb will use 3gb. a faster hard drive will help as well as the other good suggestions.<br>

a program called "clonezilla" which runs from a cd will copy the entire C drive to another drive.<br>

it is a free program.<br>

defragging and a program called ccleaner will help. (registry cleaner)<br>

the advice will help a lot. more ram likely will make no improvement</p>

<p>For RAM visit http://www.crucial.com/ and use their system scanner. It will tell you what RAM your system is capable of without having to learn the language. Installing RAM is pretty simple, just be mindful of static electricity (grab the case of your computer before you touch any electronics or computer innards to ground yourself). There's even videos showing how to do it on their website http://www.crucial.com/support/memory_buying_guide.aspx for various computers.</p>

<p>If you have a 32 bit system and you have a 2gb memory stick and a 1gb memory stick in your computer right now then buying another 2gb memory stick and replacing the 1gb stick is pretty cheap. Even buying two 2gb sticks (a pair of the same type/brand/speed/etc... will likely play better together) won't set you back very much at all.</p>

<p>Sounds like it might be the Intel Q6600 processor. </p>

<p>If so, and the current OS is 32 bit, the following upgrade options can be considered:</p>

<ul>

<li>Q6600 is a 64 bit processor - upgrade to Windows 8 64 bit.</li>

<li>Such a system should support at least 8GB of RAM and not unusual for systems to support more than the factory specified maximum. </li>

<li>Upgrade to an SSD as OS/primary drive.</li>

</ul>

<p>Doing these things should breath new life into its current configuration.</p>

<p>I have vista...it is indeed 32 bit...<br /><br />I have no idea (right now) about the processor type Dan, or if it will be compatible with a 64 bit OS...then I could (as suggested) upgrade ram significantly, and hardrives if I needed/wanted...<br /><br />I use a program called "auslogics boostspeed" my uncle (somewhat of a computer guy I guess) recommended...I bought it for like 30 bucks this year...it does regular defrags (weekly) and clears out all the crap - I use malawarebytes to keep all that crap down as well.....<br /><br />I have very few things running in the background...I know what you mean about that!<br /><br />I cleared the capture and view nx caches and temp files and moved them to my second hard drive (E:/ if I recall) - this helped a ton - this makes it almost? tolerable now....<br /><br />How do I figure out the exact name of processor (ex "Q6600")?</p>

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<p><em>"How do I figure out the exact name of processor (ex "Q6600")?"</em></p>

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<p>Ellery, tell us your HP system model and we might be able to dig it up. <br>

<br>

Or you can try Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Information. </p>

<p>When I get back home today, ill will do this first thing. Better yet...ill call my wife perhaps...</p>

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<p> I use malawarebytes to keep all that crap down as well...</p>

 

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<p>Malwarebytes doesn't do that - it protects your system from malicious software, but doesn't "clear out the crap" the way that programs like (say) <a href="http://www.diskcleaner.nl/">Disk Cleaner</a> do. </p>

<p>boost speed, cleans out "all the crap" - or so I was told....I mean to say that malawarebytes is for...well, malaware...I think :)</p>

<p>indeed, it is a Q6600....</p>

<p>So I am looking at purchasing windows 8 and buying some ram....what is the estimated price tag? oh and the SSD.....<br /><br />I am assuming I can do all of this myself...<br /><br />If such upgrades will run my system decently faster than currently - that will keep me quite happy for a while</p>

<p>To my knowledge, buying a Windows 8 upgrade version will retain 32 bit on a 32 bit system; there is no option to install 64 bit - you might want to inquire with Microsoft or retailer about that. In other words you might need the OEM 64 bit version. </p>

<p>Your system likely accepts PC2-xx00 DDR2 SDRAM, with likely 4 slots (8GB max.), that means 4 sticks of 2GB RAM and scrapping the existing ones. Check with the HP site and enter your system model number/name (such as HP Pavilion Elite m9040n PC GN553AA).</p>

<p>Once you've upgraded the OS on your existing drive, clone it over to the SSD and swap the drives. There are adapter kits available to install small form factor SSD drives into a desktop case. </p>

<p>In the alternative, I suggest upgrading to an SSD first. The performance gain should be very noticeable and just might be enough for your needs without spending much money. The drive can always migrate to a future system as well. </p>

<p>to identify your cpu and find out things about yoiur pc without opening the<br>

box get a free copy of SPECCY</p>

<p>Don't upgrade to Windows 8. <br>

Purchase Windows 7 64 bit OEM OS. Windows 8 is not a good version of Windows though it can be converted to Win 7 but why bother. Also the MS Windows hardware compatibility program should be executed to examine the hardware of the computer to be upgraded. <br>

If you are running a 32 bit CPU scrap the system and and upgrade everything otherwise you are just wasting your money.</p>

<p>RAM is like money. Have you ever had TOO much money? </p>

<p>keep in mind, this computer will almost entirely be used only for my photo editing and media storage...I use my wife's macbook pro (about 3 years old now) for internet use for convenience....but prefer the desktop to sitting down and doing editing.....<br /><br />I am not a computer expert when it comes to this all....<br /><br />Is there a good argument to be made for just getting a new PC period....<br /><br />How much does windows 7 or windows 8 cost? How much (ballpark) does a SSD cost? How much does RAM run? seems like if I update windows to 64 bit, and get a SSD, I may not even need the RAM at this point....or just a tad more....but this all could add up to rival up to the costs of a whole new PC?</p>

<p>Have a look here, Ellery; it'll help you make your own value judgements:<br>

<a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=6&cm_sp=Masthead-_-Computers-_-Spot%2006">http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=6&cm_sp=Masthead-_-Computers-_-Spot%2006</a></p>

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<p>Windows 8 is not a good version of Windows though it can be converted to Win 7 but why bother.</p>

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<p>Please do not confuse your opinion for a fact. In my <em>opinion</em>, Windows 8 is better than Windows 7. Many new keyboard shortcuts which make navigation in the OS just so much faster, <em>for me</em>.<br>

_____</p>

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<p>Is there a good argument to be made for just getting a new PC period....</p>

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<p>Yes. Any dollar you spend now on getting DDR2 memory for your existing PC is a dollar you cannot spend on the DDR3 modules your new PC is going to need (they're not compatible, and resale value of memory is low). Any dollar spent on Windows on your existing desktop is wasted as the license will not carry forward: an upgrade is tied to the OEM license of your HP; get the OEM version of Win8, and it will be tied to the mainboard of your existing PC as well. There are ways around it, but it all adds hassle. The SSD will carry forward, though.<br>

Upgrading to 64-bits Windows without upgrading the RAM has no advantages - the whole point of <em>needing</em> the 64-bits version is to be able to use more than 4GB; if you do not have more than 4GB, you're better off with the 32-bits version.</p>

<p>I just checked newegg... and frankly, the pricing on DDR2 memory is the best argument against. 4GB (2x2 GB) is about $65. So, to get 8 GB, you spend $130-140 (btw, 8GB is the max for this generation of systems). In comparison, 3 weeks ago, I paid ~$220 for 4 modules of <strong>8</strong>GB DDR3.... the older DDR2 memory is simply way overpriced at this moment. <br />I can only repeat my earlier advice: do not invest in a 5 year old desktop, save the money to get a new one.</p>

<p>I have 1600 dollars nest egg right now of "spending money"....I think I will simply wait a bit and spring for a new one and say screw it.....<br /><br />Thanks for the advice....a bit later, I will need to research which damn processor and what not I will want for the new PC....</p>

<p>Upgrading ram/memory is a very simple thing to do and is recommended for any type of system improvement. It’s about as easy as replacing a fuse in your car. You just take it out, and gently put another one in. Just make sure it’s compatible and the exact type for your computer. Ebay is a good place to find deals on what you may need ... should be fairly cheap.</p>