Memory upgrade help!

[alsummers]

Hi everyone.I am running a Dell 8300, P4 3.0 HT enabled, 1 Gb RAM, 120 Gb SATA HD (came with the system back in 2002, so prob quite dated), Radeon X800XT Platinum Edition.Amazingly for a system that is 4 years old, it still runs FS9 pretty #### well, with everything maxed. I have recently done a complete system format, so aside from FS9, its pretty empty, thus not too clogged up with countless programmes that never get used!I won't be getting a new system for at least a year, so am thinking of one last upgrade for this old workhorse. Its had two previous upgrades, the X800XT, and also a memory upgrade. When I did the memory upgrade, which was straight after I bought the system, I whipped the 512 meg Dimm out, and sold it, installing two 512 meg modules, obtained from a reputable overclockers site. I forget the particulars of them, or even the manufacturer! However, I believe they were 'frequency matched'(??), which apparently made them better?So, for the sake of FS9, and my wallet, I figure a boost to 2 gig memory would be a good move? Anyone agree? I realise there are many factors to consider, but to give some idea of where I am coming from, the motherboard isn't PCI-Express, thus a graphics card upgrade is limited (not to mention very expensive). PERHAPS I could get a better CPU, but where does one go from the 3.0 Ghz P4? Whats the fastest P4 that would fit straight onto my mobo?Back to the memory! Should I pull the 2 512 meg modules, sell them, and buy two 1 gig modules from say Cruicial or someone similar, or should I just get to 512's and throw them into the two extra slots with my other memory? Are there performance drops from having all 4 slots full, when you could just use two if you were using 1 gig modules? Not to mention the fact that it would be 2 modules from one manufacturer, and 2 from another.Longwinded and vague? Sorry if my post reads that way! But any help appreciated!Regards,Al.

[Guest baksteen33]

Hi Al, good question! :-) If you've looked at some of the discussions, some will say 1GB is enough whilst others have a preference for 2 (w/ FS9). I've been using 2GB for almost 3 years now, so my judgement is obviously biased! :-) Besides, 256MB GPU- and 1GB system-RAM still is a very good base for FS9. I've rarely seen it go beyond 1GB sys- and 150MG GPU-RAM used. HST, it's quite astonishing we haven't been using this tool more often in the past, but I would recommend to download MemStatus, run it and check what your actual needs are. If one exceeds certain thresholds of existing quantities, an upgrade might be indicated? Alternatively, MemStatus can help you to set FS so, that you don't exceed particular thresholds. It for exampel helped me to tune FSX to ca 200MB on the GPU (of 256MB). Result: No more GPU-related performance dips, it seems... :-) If FS9 is the main concern, 2x512MB should be fine to bring you to 2GB. IMHO, ideally get modules with identical or similar ratings to the ones you have. Hope this adds to thoughts, kind regards Jaap

[Guest n9zn]

Jaap I am interested in any tool which will help make a considered decision for an up grade.Where does one find the MemStatus tool to download?Monty HowardN9ZNTampa, Florida U.S.A.

[Guest baksteen33]

http://nuclearplayground.com/NuclearPlayground/Good luck and kind regards Jaap