is 256k enough RAM for current games?

[lord of the mark]

Browsing some websites like Gateway, it looks like the current "sweet spot" for new PC's is ones with 256meg RAM. While all I would definitely look for any new PC to be easily upgradeable, I would like to know if this works for current games.

Games i would want - EU2, The Sims, Medieval-Total War. Possibly - Civ3, Simcity4, RON, Combat Mission, HOI.

Current trends in RAM requirements? Likely trends in upcoming games (especially in these genres)?

Any thoughts?

[Paul Hanson]

Assuming you actually mean 256M of RAM , then you should be able to play all the games you want with that much, provided the computer itself is powerful enough. However, since RAM is so cheap nowadays it probably wouldn't hurt to get at least 512M.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Paul Hanson
Assuming you actually mean 256M of RAM , then you should be able to play all the games you want with that much, provided the computer itself is powerful enough. However, since RAM is so cheap nowadays it probably wouldn't hurt to get at least 512M.

oops, edited to 256 meg of ram.


Thanks.

[MattH]

What OS do you have?

For Sim City 4, 512 is a MINIMUM with XP. It depends on what board you have, but general (low quality) DDR 2100 256MB sticks are about $25 on newegg.com.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Paul Hanson
Assuming you actually mean 256M of RAM , then you should be able to play all the games you want with that much, provided the computer itself is powerful enough. However, since RAM is so cheap nowadays it probably wouldn't hurt to get at least 512M.

Dell indicates $100 US as difference between 256 meg and 512 meg ram. Since im looking for a budget buy anyway, im not inclined to spend that if im not going to need it anytime soon, assuming it will be easy to upgrade later.


Browsing on Moby indicates all the games i mentioned require 128 MB or less. Only a few of the most recent releases seem to require 256MB, none of which im interested in.

Thoughts on future trends?

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by MattH
What OS do you have?

For Sim City 4, 512 is a MINIMUM with XP. It depends on what board you have, but general (low quality) DDR 2100 256MB sticks are about $25 on newegg.com.

This would be for a new PC, so it would probably be XP.
One option would be to get it with 256MB and not upgrade till im ready to buy SImcity4. I would have plenty of gameplay till then, and by then both Simcity4 and RAM will likely have declined in price.

[Rasbelin]

Well, I really suggest you DO NOT buy a PC with "only" 256 MB RAM. Buy AT LEAST 512 MB.

[Nikolai]

I agree. Several of trhe games you mention in your original post, however, don't require soo much; HoI, EU2, Civ3 and The Sims at least, but for the others you'll like more. It's also good to think for the [near] future.

[da_hal]

don't buy from dell. check out:
www.pricewatch.com.

compusa is a ripoff too, about 3X street price.

dell is so overpriced it's silly.

[Panag]

hi ,

since ram is cheap and if your comp supports it , get at least one gig of ram

have a nice day

[Nikolai]

panag, panag... Always so helpful... It's not everybody that has the finances to buy 1 GB of RAM, no matter how cheap it is, relatively speaking. But if you do have the finances lord, then you could try. But I doubt you'll need more than 512 MB for some time.

[lord of the mark]

so 512MB is needed for Simcity4, probably for RON, and probably for future games.

1 gig is for the kinds of games i dont play anyway, and for future games.

And look for a better deal than Dell (will have to convince the queen of the mark if im going to get something that isnt a namebrand)

Whether i get 256 or 512 make sure its easily upgradeable to 1 gig. And in that case hope RAM prices dont go up (it always seems that RAM is "cheaper than ever" does it ever go up in price?)

[Apocalypse]

Remember when it was easy to find RAM for free? That was so cool.

[FrustratedPoet]

256MB is OK right now ... but within a year will start to become obsolete really fast.

1gig is unnecessary at the moment considering the games you like to play, so I think you should go with 512MB.

[MattH]

Buy the computer from where ever, but at the same time buy extra ram from the lowest bidder at pricegrabber.com (legit, reputable site). If you don't know what type to get, just ask when you phone in your order.