Any opinions on adding additional RAM.I currently have 1024MB but am thinking of adding an additional 1024MB. The reason for this is that I use a lot of add-ons (LEVEL-D 767, PMDG 747-400, FSGenesis Mesh, Ultimate Terrain, BirdsEyeView, Ultimate Traffic, ActiveSky6, FS2Crew). This occasionally takes my resources very low and so I'm thinking about the added RAM. Do you think itll add enough benefit to be worth the $110-$120. System is a Dell 8300Pentium 4 at 3.2Ghz, 128MB DDR ATI Radeon 9800 120GB SATA HD. Thanks.

Hi have a somewhat slower computer, 2.6 megs with a gig of ram...and do not feel the need for more. you do know that more ram will not speed up fs9, which is more dependent upon cpu power. If you really see sluggishness when you are multitasking, that's a sign that more ram could help. otherwise, my advice is to save your money, wait for vista and see what that demands...sherm

Hi Chuck,Suggest you check ram usage using Windows Task Manager, assuming you use WinXP. Here's what I read in a Win XP book. I tried it and it worked well. It indicated that I had plenty of ram.Display the Task Mangager (ctrl+alt+del).Click Performance tab.Resize the window so you can place it on the bottom of your screen. You may want to stretch it out as that increases the size of the graph. Start FS9 and go to window mode. Resize the FS9 window so it sits above the Performance window you previously set up, so that you can see both FS9 and the Performance window.Start flying etc. Try using those addons which you feel are gulping resources. Watch the Page File Useage History graph. You may need more ram if the line goes and stays at the top for some time.Also, look at the Physical Memory Available. It should normally remain above 10,000. If it goes below much of the time, that may also indicate you need more ram.You may be surprised that you may not need more ram.Hope this helps....

More ram does help, espeacially with texture load times. I upgraded to 2GB from 1GB of DDR and now my textures load very fast and the sim smoothed way out. Even with the 3D clouds.Scott :-)Gamming System Specs: (Built this one myself)AMD Athlon-64 3000+ (Overclocked to 2.35ghz)Gigabyte K8NS nForce3-250 Chipset 8x AGP Main Board2GB DDR400 PC3200 Memory (400mhz)160GB 7200 rpm Hard Drive 16x DVD-ROM Audigy 2ZS Gammer Sound Card (Set at FULL acceleration)5.1 Channel Surround Sound Speakers256MB GeForce-5700 8X AGP Video (Overclocked: Core 260mhz RAM: 430mhz)Cotytech Gaming CaseCH Products Yoke, Rudder Pedals, Throttle QuadrantSaitek Cyborg Gold Joystic for Helo's & Stick equipped aircrafteDimensional Force Feedback HeadsetsSaitek Eclipse KeyboardWindows XP Pro SP2Home Network for using the Instructor StationFS9 Sliders maxed with other settings at their best quality positions.Antalasing: 4XAnistropic Filtering: 4XResolution: 1024 X 768 32bitTexture load speed: 200Average FPS: 22 (Locked @ 22)

Agree with Scott. I have 1 gig and hav noticed that with LDS767 on one monitor and a spot view on the other that the HD operates when I look left or right on cockpit view. This to me says the swap file is looking for info on the HD. Takes time. I will be putting in two gigs soon. Will post either way.JimCYWG

I did as suggested and ran Task Manager with everything fired up. I'm attaching the results at the peak of usage. What do you think?

I did as suggested and ran Task Manager with everything fired up. I'm attaching the results at the peak of usage. What do you think?Chuck DreierKCAE

Chuck, it's difficult to tell in the small jpeg you attached, but it looks like you have 50 processes running. That's way too many for gaming. Suggest you first evalute your OS config to shut down any processes you absolutley don't need before spending money on more memory.Regards,Greg

Yes, it is 50 processes running. Any simple suggestion on how to get down to "bare bones" on the processes? Trial and error?

Ken Salter's FSAutostart is a great tool for configuring programs and services. In it he offers a brief description of each Windows service and whether it can/should be disabled. FSAutostart is a must-have for any gamer... simply an indispensible tool. It's available in the Avsim Library. http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=57040Additionally, the definitive description and configuration advice for Windows services was created by Black Viper. Although his site has been down for quite some time, you can Google him to find archives of his work.Finally, if you have 50 processes taking up resources (CPU cycles as well as memory) then you no doubt have numerous programs running that aren't needed. It's up to each user to configure their system for optimum use... you have to decide what needs to be running and what doesn't. This problem is created by software sellers who configure their product so that it starts when Windows starts. This is bad. Only have the programs running that are needed to do what you wish to do (add-ons for FS or applications to do computer tasks you choose to work with when not simming). As an example, I have only one program running when Windows boots... my anit-virus. Nothing else is needed on my system. And I have 13 processes running at start-up. That's all my system needs (and my Windows doesn't "look" or perform like it's been ripped apart). By configuring your system for top simming experience you'll also make it a lean, fast computer for anything else you use it for.If you find OS/system comfiguration a bit daunting then you're far from alone. Although I've not used this service many on these boards have, and they've been more than just happy with the end result. Also, Avsim recently did a review of the service. And the best part is that you don't pay until after the service is completed and you're happy. Certainly alot more value than just installing more RAM without configuring the system properly.Good luck,Greg

Greg, Thanks!!! That's a tremendous help. I downloaded Ken's FSAutostart and have my processes down to 20 when FS9 is running. His program is great and I've already sent a donation. And, I'll continue to "tweak" to see if I can cut even more "fat".Thanks too, for the link to the service. I've heard of it, and will keep it in mind. But... the bottom line is that I'm convinced we don't need any more RAM and after many years, have found a way to truly tweak my system for FS9. That's greatly appreciated. 'Have a great weekend. Chuck