System: Dell Dimension 9150, Intel Pentium D CPR 3.00GHz, 2.0 RAM
OS: Windows Xp MCE 2002 SP3
Plenty of HD space 250GB boot drive, + two external USB drives (500 GB + 160
GB)

On a routine call with Dell Customer Support regarding a stubborn DVD drive,
once that problem solved, the tech recommended that I increase the physical
RAM from 2 to 4 GB, that doing so would produce a significant performance
boost. Is that so, even though Xp won't be using all of the 4GB but
allocate some for the video card and other components, leaving perhaps 3 to
3.4 GB for the OS. Not that this purchase will break the bank ... just
don't want to do it if the benefits aren't there.

TIA for your help!

>System: Dell Dimension 9150, Intel Pentium D CPR 3.00GHz, 2.0 RAM
>OS: Windows Xp MCE 2002 SP3
>Plenty of HD space 250GB boot drive, + two external USB drives (500 GB + 160
>GB)
>
>On a routine call with Dell Customer Support regarding a stubborn DVD drive,
>once that problem solved, the tech recommended that I increase the physical
>RAM from 2 to 4 GB, that doing so would produce a significant performance
>boost. Is that so, even though Xp won't be using all of the 4GB but
>allocate some for the video card and other components, leaving perhaps 3 to
>3.4 GB for the OS. Not that this purchase will break the bank ... just
>don't want to do it if the benefits aren't there.
>
>TIA for your help!

It's tough to say if it will be significant or not. It depends on the
other hardware installed in the computer. If the memory is matched,
that would help somewhat. Often, installing 4GB of RAM will only yield
about 3GB visible +/- to the OS for use. The rest will be occupied by
the various peripherals and address space used by things like video
card RAM, etc. It won't hurt anything to upgrade to 4GB. RAM is so
cheap now that it's worth it.

- Thee Chicago Wolf (MVP)

Uncle Ben wrote:
> System: Dell Dimension 9150, Intel Pentium D CPR 3.00GHz, 2.0 RAM
> OS: Windows Xp MCE 2002 SP3
> Plenty of HD space 250GB boot drive, + two external USB drives (500 GB + 160
> GB)
>
> On a routine call with Dell Customer Support regarding a stubborn DVD drive,
> once that problem solved, the tech recommended that I increase the physical
> RAM from 2 to 4 GB, that doing so would produce a significant performance
> boost. Is that so, even though Xp won't be using all of the 4GB but
> allocate some for the video card and other components, leaving perhaps 3 to
> 3.4 GB for the OS. Not that this purchase will break the bank ... just
> don't want to do it if the benefits aren't there.
>
> TIA for your help!
>
>

Unless you do intensive video/imaging work, you won't notice any
difference and will have wasted your money. The guy at Dell is probably
thinking of Vista.

Alias

Unless you use programs that significantly load the machine ( VPC
Graphics work ) additional RAM probably isn't necessary. The key
deciding factor is the highest memory load you encounter using the
PC normally. Another factor is if your Motherboard supports Dual
Channel RAM configuration.

"Uncle Ben" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:YWfml.8069$(E-Mail Removed)...
> System: Dell Dimension 9150, Intel Pentium D CPR 3.00GHz, 2.0 RAM
> OS: Windows Xp MCE 2002 SP3
> Plenty of HD space 250GB boot drive, + two external USB drives (500 GB +
> 160 GB)
>
> On a routine call with Dell Customer Support regarding a stubborn DVD
> drive, once that problem solved, the tech recommended that I increase the
> physical RAM from 2 to 4 GB, that doing so would produce a significant
> performance boost. Is that so, even though Xp won't be using all of the
> 4GB but allocate some for the video card and other components, leaving
> perhaps 3 to 3.4 GB for the OS. Not that this purchase will break the
> bank ... just don't want to do it if the benefits aren't there.
>
> TIA for your help!
>

It all depends on what you do with your computer but in all likelihood
it will not do squat to improve performance on your machine. Very few
users have any need for that much RAM, few users even have any need for
much more than 1GB and you already have 2GB, unless you have specific
needs that you can identify putting more RAM in the box is probably
going to be a waste of money. The guy at Dell is working on commissions
and he is trying to increase his sales.

John

Uncle Ben wrote:
> System: Dell Dimension 9150, Intel Pentium D CPR 3.00GHz, 2.0 RAM
> OS: Windows Xp MCE 2002 SP3
> Plenty of HD space 250GB boot drive, + two external USB drives (500 GB + 160
> GB)
>
> On a routine call with Dell Customer Support regarding a stubborn DVD drive,
> once that problem solved, the tech recommended that I increase the physical
> RAM from 2 to 4 GB, that doing so would produce a significant performance
> boost. Is that so, even though Xp won't be using all of the 4GB but
> allocate some for the video card and other components, leaving perhaps 3 to
> 3.4 GB for the OS. Not that this purchase will break the bank ... just
> don't want to do it if the benefits aren't there.
>
> TIA for your help!
>
>

I think that dell knows
your system best.

there is likely a correlation
engineered into your specific
machine that exists between
a dvd, which holds about 4
gigs of data and your ram.

there is however, a dell
forum/discussion group
that you should refer this
question to other dell know-
it-alls.



--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>

"Uncle Ben" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:YWfml.8069$(E-Mail Removed)...
> System: Dell Dimension 9150, Intel Pentium D CPR 3.00GHz, 2.0 RAM
> OS: Windows Xp MCE 2002 SP3
> Plenty of HD space 250GB boot drive, + two external USB drives (500 GB + 160 GB)
>
> On a routine call with Dell Customer Support regarding a stubborn DVD drive, once that problem solved, the tech recommended that I
> increase the physical RAM from 2 to 4 GB, that doing so would produce a significant performance boost. Is that so, even though Xp
> won't be using all of the 4GB but allocate some for the video card and other components, leaving perhaps 3 to 3.4 GB for the OS.
> Not that this purchase will break the bank ... just don't want to do it if the benefits aren't there.
>
> TIA for your help!
>

In article <YWfml.8069$(E-Mail Removed)>,
(E-Mail Removed) says...
> System: Dell Dimension 9150, Intel Pentium D CPR 3.00GHz, 2.0 RAM
> OS: Windows Xp MCE 2002 SP3
> Plenty of HD space 250GB boot drive, + two external USB drives (500 GB + 160
> GB)
>
> On a routine call with Dell Customer Support regarding a stubborn DVD drive,
> once that problem solved, the tech recommended that I increase the physical
> RAM from 2 to 4 GB, that doing so would produce a significant performance
> boost. Is that so, even though Xp won't be using all of the 4GB but
> allocate some for the video card and other components, leaving perhaps 3 to
> 3.4 GB for the OS. Not that this purchase will break the bank ... just
> don't want to do it if the benefits aren't there.
>

In most cases, expanding from 2gb to 4gb will have little impact for a
HOME user or a Receptionists Computer.

Open the task manager, look at the Performance tab, then look at the
"Commit Charge" "Total" and if you're running close to 2GB on a regular
basis then you could probably benefit from additional memory.

--
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
(E-Mail Removed) (remove 999 for proper email address)

"R. McCarty" <PcEngWork-NoSpam_@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:%23ZR9%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Unless you use programs that significantly load the machine ( VPC
> Graphics work ) additional RAM probably isn't necessary. The key
> deciding factor is the highest memory load you encounter using the
> PC normally. Another factor is if your Motherboard supports Dual
> Channel RAM configuration.

Thank you all for the prompt replies. All four slots are presently occupied
with 512 MB memory modules ... so if I understand your question correctly,
that would indicate that the mother board supports dual channel RAM
configuration. I do a fair amount of work with family photos and DVD
editing - my two daughters pass send me their family photos once or twice a
year; and I do a montage, slide shows, incorporating video clips, etc. I've
see Roxio crashing many times, as well as other video/pictured editing tools
(Corel, ACDsee, etc.)

Replacing the 4 x 512 MB modules with 1 GB modules is not going to break the
bank ... but in this economy, if I won't get any noticeable benefit from it,
I'd rather keep that $100 for rainy days.

Judging from the responses I've seen so far, it looks like it may be worth
my while.

Thanks again for your help!

"John John (MVP)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:ugSaF%(E-Mail Removed)...
Snip> The guy at Dell is working on commissions
> and he is trying to increase his sales.
>
> John

Yeah, that's was I was afraid of too. I did my homework, somewhat, prior to
my OP, and I'm still not convinced one way or another. One thing for sure,
the performance I'm getting now running Roxio and some other video editing
software is mediocre at best, with frequent crashes (software crashes that
is). That's not to say that these problems would go away if I increased
RAM - I always thought that VM would provide ample works space for any
software application I'm running.

Thanks!

" db ´¯`·.. ><)))º>` .. ." <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
news:8DE6ED2D-3346-4F22-885A-(E-Mail Removed)...
>SNIP
> there is likely a correlation engineered into your specific machine that
> exists between
> a dvd which holds about 4 gigs of data and your ram. SNIP>
>
> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
> - Systems Analyst
> - Database Developer
> - Accountancy
> - Veteran of the Armed Forces

To be clear, the DVD issue was resolved with a quick registry fix and the
tech didn't give me any indication that the problem I experienced had
anything to do with insufficient RAM. This was more like "Oh, and by the
way, I note that your computer only has 2 GB or RAM ... you would get
significantly better performance if ....)

Thanks!