How much storage do you need?

When we intend to add more memory, we always have a headache to balance the price and speed. So how much memory do you really need, what is the price? Our surveys yield surprising results.

How much memory is enough? That question still haunts me and thousands of other computer users for many years. There have not been many really satisfactory answers yet.

This is especially important because the type of memory (such as DDR, DDR2 or some other type) has been mandated with the main board and processor. So you have to choose the memory capacity to match the new device (or devices that can be added later).

However, it is not easy to determine how much is enough. Large or small computer memory capacity depends on the circumstances. The work you need to do, the software you are using is the deciding factor to determine the appropriate memory size for your computer. They can be changed according to individual machines.

For example, according to Microsoft to run the Professional version of Windows XP, you need 128 MB of RAM or at least 64 MB with very small support and limit the performance of many programs. There is always a minimum specification description corresponding to a microprocessor. But for the best performance, don't just use the devices at that minimum range.

That is to say my small and old IBM ThinkPad 600X computer with 64MB of memory should run Windows XP Pro. Microsoft Word and Lotus Notes are both effective but only to a certain extent. Windows has a lot of good processing methods: Instead of just breaking up the pause process if the amount of memory remaining is low, Windows starts using the hard disk as external memory, exploring data and devices if necessary. The difference in speed (affecting the entire program) is like the difference between walking and running with a racing horse.

Proceed to checkout

We try to test how the extra memory affects the computer.

First of all you need to have a computer with memory capacity of about 512MB to 2GB; a 240-pin Ballistix DIMM, DDR2 PC2-6400 memory module (P / N # CT6464AA53E ) of Crucial Technology.

This is a highly structured implementation module, so it is usually expensive (more than $ 100). You can also use the same module as Crucial's PC2-4200 standard (P / N # CT6464AA53E) for only about $ 40.

Second, you need two software: COSBI- OpenSourceMark (OSMark) and Ulead VideoStudio 10 Plus .

OSMark is a comprehensive benmark program, meaning there is no real economic application in this software. OSMark is designed to test all subsystems (CPU, memory, graphics devices, hard drives), then calculate single executable program numbers by combining and processing individual results. turn.

VideoStudio is a real application program. For example you can use the program to split 43 minutes of a video clip into a 60 minute TV video. Then recombine them into a complete program like the original. This program enhances computer equivalence.

Next there is a change you will have to make with the addition of memory which is the option to use the dual-channel memory architecture again and again.

Dual-channel uses paired memory modules rather than single devices. That's better because instead of having just one transmission and receiving channel, Dual-channel allows simultaneous transmission - reception, which reduces transmission time by half.

Memory Benmark

A computer with 512MB of memory creates an OSMark with a result of 1053. This is not a great result if you are looking for a high-performance PC. The computer we are using is for testing only. You can upgrade it later.

When the system memory exceeds 1GB, the benmark test program cannot check for improvements.

With two Ram 512 modules (total of 1GB), do not use the dual-channel main circuit board, OSMark is rendered as 1074. The result is higher, but has not created a major upgrade. When using Dual-channel, this number is up to 1111.

Thus, switching from 512MB capacity to 1GB dual channel improves program execution speed to about 15%. But if the same memory capacity without Dual-channel is used, only about 2% increase.

We try to see if the larger the memory capacity, the better the computer will work. Add a third 512MB RAM to the device. The total memory capacity at this time was 1,536 MB but the Dual-channel operation was disturbed. Dual-channel requires memory modules to be even numbers. OSMark's result is 1112. Add a third 512MB RAM that only adds to the result in OSMark. Thus, the more memory capacity is, the less likely it is.

Now try with the fourth 512MB RAM and the last. With even memory, the Dual-channel operation is restored and OSMark results in . 1112!

That's why you should never believe in the benchmark.

What happens when the memory runs out of benchmark? It will notify OSMark without 1 GB to run. So there is no improvement even if you add more memory. You can authenticate this case with the real application program: VideoStudio 10 Plus.

Memory in practice

The 43-minute refund time of the video clip also explains the same issues. There is only a slight difference between changing 512MB to 1GB, not using Dual-channel. In fact, the video clip was rendered in 35 minutes 2 seconds (ie 2 101 seconds) when the computer used 512MB of RAM and was only 34 minutes and 50 seconds (ie 2 090 seconds) with the machine with 1GB of RAM.

The more real-life applications enhance memory capacity, the more effective the program is, especially when using 'Dual-channel'.

When using Dual-channel memory (color-coded memory slots in pairs so that you know where to plug in), the redemption time drops to only 31 minutes 45 seconds (ie 1 905 seconds) . Refund speed is higher than 4 minutes. If you do a few repetitions in a day, a few times a week, you can save a day's amount of time in a year with just the proper use of the memory modules you need.

What about larger memory sizes? When adding a third 512MB RAM, the actual return time is 17 seconds slower, ie 32 minutes 2 seconds (total: 1 922 seconds). This is because the third RAM has upset the operation of the dual channel.

If adding a fourth 512MB RAM bar to balance the operation for dual channel, the refund time only takes 30 minutes 31 seconds (ie 1 831 seconds). The fast reduction time shows that OSMark's aggregate benmark does not use the added 1GB of memory above.

It is possible to add more memory registers and the redundancy time will be significantly improved. But here we will encounter the problem of reducing the value of the rule when the amount of memory becomes larger.

We try to understand this problem. First, replace two 512MB memory modules with larger modules such as two 1GB bars. But of course corresponding to the larger memory register, the price will increase greatly.
Unless you really care about translating the video (or any other important application), the upgrade is necessary. Otherwise you will only waste money. Now the price of a 512MB RAM is about $ 105 (the price of the memory variable is very fast; the price of this RAM may be different). Using 1GB memory with Dual-channel code will double your original memory and cost about $ 210. Double the price up again ($ 420), so you can buy 2GB of memory with a much faster rendering speed.

If you want to expand the memory capacity to more than 2GB, you need to increase 2.5 times the amount purchased. And remember, to use 3GB of memory, you need to remove two of the original memory, which is to give up $ 210 and add a 1GB bar for $ 186. The total amount is $ 1192 just to improve the speed of the refund at the best level.
Conclude

Dual-channel memory often prefers to be used, but the amount of memory used depends on the device, depending on what purpose you use memory for, what programs you are using. If the video translation is your livelihood (or it is considered a serious hobby), saving a little time will bring great efficiency in your work, you should invest in equipment as instructed. from the beginning. If not, you should only use memory at 2GB, but you should only stop at 1GB.

Translation of videos, large spreadsheets, graphic manipulations and similar memory modules is also quite interesting. But also with the corresponding amount, you can equip yourself with many more useful and interesting components. Please consider carefully before deciding to invest.

T.Thu