Ram

[TCTopQuality]

I have a Dell Dimension 8250 with 256K of RAM, 2.4GHz etc. I use windows XP. Problem is, games jerk and freeze a lot. Mafia, C&C Generals all jerk. is it because 256K RAM isn't enough or what. Can someone help me or something?

[TCTopQuality]

Type of RAM i use; Non-ECC PC1600 RDRAM

[Skanky Burns]

XP itself uses up to 256mb of RAM. Not enough memory is a likely cause of your problems.
What graphics card does your system have?

[TCTopQuality]

i have a 128mb ATI Raedon 9700 TX, i have 2 HDDs. a 30GB and 20 GB one

[Grumbold]

I'd suggest 512mb Ram as the minimum acceptable amount to run software on top of XP, and you'll see better results if you can afford more.

[TCTopQuality]

dell are selling 512mb RAM for just over £200!! Ive seen what looks like the same stuff for £110, does it make a difference if u buy away from what the manufacturer recommends

[Zopperoni]

Re: Ram

Originally posted by TCTopQuality
is it because 256K RAM isn't enough or what.

256K is certainly not enough =)

But yea, 256 MB neither, especially not for C&C Generals.

My PC (P4 - 2.4 GHz; 1,024 MB RAM; 128 MB ATi Radeon 9500) had a hard time sometimes when I launched a massive SCUD Storm.

[Skanky Burns]

Any source for your memory will do. One thing to keep in mind though is that all your memory will go at the speed the slowest memory uses. The best idea is to get the same type and brand of memory.

Of course, warranty will be affected by using non-dell sources. If that matters to you.

[TCTopQuality]

no, i just want my PC to run games properly

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by TCTopQuality
dell are selling 512mb RAM for just over £200!! Ive seen what looks like the same stuff for £110, does it make a difference if u buy away from what the manufacturer recommends

Don't buy extra memory from Dell, it's too expensive. I have a Dell that runs XP and I've upgraded from 256mb to 512mb. I bought 2 sticks of 256mb for about US$100 from Best Buy. Definately noticed a slight improvement boot up times but not too much of an improvement in my games. Therefor I'm saving up for another upgrade to 1Gb of RAM.

[TCTopQuality]

would 768mb ram be enough

[Skanky Burns]

I run 768 mb, runs my games fine.

[TCTopQuality]

ok, thanks

[Urban Ranger]

PC1600? Isn't that a bit slow?

[TCTopQuality]

thats what came with the PC. Would it be better changing to a faster type of DDR instead of staying with slower, more expensive RDRAM