A few questions

[Baralis]

I am running a game emulator on my PC for others to play but I also use my pc for gaming, surfing, movies ect. I have noticed that when I run several applications along with the emulator that it starts to become sluggish yet I still show available ram, low cpu usage ect. I purchased a second hard drive and have my personal files, games, OS on the main HD and only have the gaming emulator on the second drive. The emulator only uses about 12% CPU and 400KB of ram. While gaming and multi tasking along with the emulator I will reach 60% CPU usage and 80% ram usage.

My specs:
AMD Athlon II X 4 @ 3.2
4 Gigs Ram
ATI 6850
Samsung 1TB 7200 RPM X 2
Windows 7 64bit

Would increasing my ram to 8gb help or since I am never reaching 100% used would it be a waste? Any other areas that I could improve that would help performance?


Thanks!

 

[o1die]

I don't know who your vender is, but when you can get an 8 gb kit for $23-25 after rebate, I would do it. You can sell your leftover ram on craigslist making the cost even less. http://shopping.dallasnews.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=2519&adid=12031912&subid=36675300&type=.

 

[Baralis]

It is amazing how cheap ram has become. 2x4gb sticks of the same make are half the price I paid for 2x2gb sticks a year ago. I may just order 2x4gb and add them to my current 2x2gb. Being the same manufacturer and timings/voltage they should work together correct?

 

[o1die]

You'll just have to try it. I recently got 2 8 gb kits for $70, but mine is 1333. Now newegg has 1600 16 gb for the same price in their pre black friday sale. How low can it go?

 

[Baralis]

Best answer selected by baralis.