benchmark test

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plugginaway

Is there a small simple program that I can use to test my PC?

like to compare when I add memory.

thanx
 
plugginaway said:
Is there a small simple program that I can use to test my PC?

like to compare when I add memory.

thanx
Click to expand...

What would you do with the results? Would you even understand what
they say/mean? Suppose they show what you think is a huge difference,
would that change what you "feel" the difference is?

Just some thoughts...
 
I might buy more memory.

just want a quick test to get an idea what return I am getting.

eg, from 1GB 5300, to 1.5GB 4200

cheers
 
plugginaway said:
I might buy more memory.

just want a quick test to get an idea what return I am getting.

eg, from 1GB 5300, to 1.5GB 4200
Click to expand...

I would bet that you would NOT feel/see any difference.
 
I might buy more memory.
Click to expand...


Why? How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file significantly, and
that depends on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range
of business applications find that somewhere around 512MB works well,
others need more. Almost anyone will see poor performance with less
than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things like editing
large photographic images, can see a performance boost by adding even
more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your page file usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.
 
I appreciate the info, but i just wanted a quickie speed test for CPU
processing; and you danced me into another world and want me to
download something else.

So, here is me question: I want to monitor pagefile size, so send me
a link for CPU benchmark

thanx
 
plugginaway said:
I appreciate the info, but i just wanted a quickie speed test for CPU
processing; and you danced me into another world and want me to
download something else.

So, here is me question: I want to monitor pagefile size, so send me
a link for CPU benchmark
Click to expand...

Oh, okay. I can help there.

There will be NO change in a speed test result from adding memory. From the
minimum RAM to the maximum, the CPU will cycle at its specified rate.
Expecting a speed change from adding RAM is equivalent to expecting a speed
improvement from painting the case red.

Task manager provides a graph of Page File usage (under "Performance").
 
plugginaway said:
Is there a small simple program that I can use to test my PC?

like to compare when I add memory.
Click to expand...

This diagnostic technique *always* works:

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then
note the three values under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand
corner: Total, Limit, and Peak.

The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that
very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you
used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of
Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM.
In case you want to explore this further, you may run Page File Monitor
for Windows XP:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

The bottom line:

If you have plenty of RAM, then any benchmarking programs you run before
and after adding more RAM won't yield any useful information. Don't
waste your money on more RAM if you don't need it!
 
Thanx all. i should have been more specific. NOT CPU speed.

just windows/programs performance. and wanting to discount the placebo
effect of adding RAM. wanting a real comparison.

i went from 1280MB cp2700 to 1.5GB pc2100.

I had been getting VirtMem warnings before, but since the OS raised
that, I have no indication of whether the PC is 'better' now, except my
wishful thinking!

thx
 
Regarding "placebo effect," simply follow my instructions. If you
already have the extra RAM, do it before and after the addition of the
new RAM if you wish.

But if your PC is no longer overly relying on the page file (that is, if
there are no more Virtual Memory messages), I can assure you that's no
placebo effect!
 
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