NZFF

Looking to replace the current computer, (which has only 512mb RAM) with something better.

Some of the computers are offering the chance to upgrade from 2mb RAM to 4mb RAM. Can anyone offer advice about whether 4mb of RAM is worth going for? Also, does anyone have experience of different read speeds for hard drives, is 7200 the minimum that I should go for?

Thanks in advance,

Smooth Landings.

nnn

Yeah I've always had more RAM than good sense and never regretted it.
Your budget dictates, of course, but I get most bang for the buck (for FS) from:
4x the amount of RAM that manufacturers and Windows say will run OK, and get the 2nd best flavour currently available.
Dunno what Win Vista needs, but that's a whole different computing environment with multi-everything.
You sure you need to upgrade now??

7200RPM would be standard these days. more cache is also better on hard disks too, so have a look out for that

as for memory, 1GB is about standard, 2GB would be sufficient, 4GB maybe a little excessive pre-vista. certainly more memory is better, but i imagine there's a point where benefit outruns the price. but if its free...
remember tho, memory is easy (and cheap) to upgrade/add to- whereas CPUs are expensive to replace (since you can't add to it). similar with graphics- i'd rather have 2GB of memory and a mid-range graphics card than 4GB of memory and a value card.

I recently upgraded from 768mb RAM to 1.5gb and found no difference in performance in fs2004- I think it maybe depends on what CPU and video card you have too?

Those are strange numbers...my experience is that RAM wants pairs of the same size and flavour.
What makes up that combination?

f u bicth

Andrew might have had 1x 256 and 1x 512, and just added another of each? Then it would have paired up nicely.

Alex

Trolly,I did exactly the same-went from 768-1.5gigs RAM,and I have a 2.4gig CPU.it's AMD.I did get a card ATI 9600 PRO with 256 on board RAM at around the same time but I can't remember which I got first.When I say around the same time I mean a few weeks apart.I noticed with the RAM way less stuttering and lockup and a huge increase in being able to run multiple apps,like Teamspeak (that's not very demanding tho)real weather and be on the net downloading stuff all while taking a reasonably demanding flight.

Happy Traveler,I agree with everything everyone else says.How much are you wanting to spend?If it's a whole new system then get an FSX runner,means dual core.I'd wait till it is released since it's so close now and get some feedback from those who have bought it and listen to what they have to say.Other wise for FS2004 the standard seems to be a gig of RAM a 128mb on board RAM graphics card and a 2 gig CPU and yes a 7200 harddrive,and yes an 8mb cache is good.they are the ones musicians use for recording onto.If like me you only have 2 slots for RAM,you have 512 already I'd just put another 512 next to it,but if you want to spend more then get a gig stick.I think I should have only put in another 512 instead of a gig,because of the cost.A gig total is quite sufficient plus then whatever your graphics card has is fine. I was running 768RAM and a 32mb Geforce 2 dual monitor job and it was fine.That card was $40. I still have it on my other computer that I'm networking with my main so I'll have 4 monitors plus this other little old compac thing,it's a portable not a laptop,and I'll use it for a GPS.It has a 12 inch screen but fine for that job.It will all be linked on my D-link router which I can plug in up to 4 computers.That's why I got another card which ended up being an ATI 9600PRO.They have 256 on board RAM and most important to me is they're all $150 on trade Me,and they have a dual output monitor thing.It is a VGA out but you get the adapter plug so a CRT monitor will plug in.I got 6 17 inch monitors for $40 each and they are all pairs and match pretty well.I mean make and model here as all monitors are slightly different in their colour and the way they display so it's good to have all the same or at least pairs of monitors if you're trying to build a multi monitor sim like I am.