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RAM upgrade - Will it solve my problem?

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963 views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  joeten  
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#1 ·
I'm currently running 4GB (2GB x 2 dual channel PC2 6400) with an AMD AthlonX2 6000+. I just did a fresh install of Vista32. I'm thinking about upgrading to 8GB, but am not sure if it will solve my problem.

I work with large PhotoShop and Illustrator files, some 700MB or larger. If I have a couple of large files open and switch between files or programs it takes a really long time for them to switch, even when I still have 1GB or more of free RAM according to Task Manager. Even though I rarely use over 3GB of RAM, would upgrading to 8GB allow me to switch between files and programs faster when I am working with several hundred MB files or would the slow switch be more of an issue with my CPU (which again is rarely maxed out according to Task Manger)?

Also I left my computer running last night with Task Manager open. When I went to bed I noticed I was using 1.8GB or RAM but when I woke up this morning it was using 2.2GB or RAM. I have no scheduled tasks or scans, so why would the RAM usage increase by 400MB just for leaving it on for 7 hours?
 
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#2 ·
hi. i cant explain why you would be using more ram but personally i think you'd be better off getting a quad core cpu instead of upgrading the ram as unless your using a 64 bit operating system it will not see over 4gb anyway and with a quad core it can deal with large tasks easier. Hope that helps
 
#3 ·
hi as blackwidow says on a 32bit system you can have more issues running 4gbs of ram and even at 3Gbs issues are not unknown,so 64bit os would be a better option if you wish to use more ram.The ram increase is pretty normal as vista uses as much available ram as it can and will realease it when needed for other processes so nothing out of the ordinary in that
 
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#4 ·
Yeah, I have my vista theme set to windows classic so that all the vista bling doesn't hog RAM. I don't care if my OS looks nice as long as it works well. I plan on upgrading to Windows 7 as soon as it is released in a few weeks. I'm guessing they fixed issues with RAM in it?
 
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