Computer Questions - One and All!!!

[TheWolf]

This thread will be for anybody that has computer questions relating to Windows. Any question at all - software, hardware or bios questions will be answered here.

So come one and all and asked the computer tutor your questions!!!

[desertleo]

Alright I have a question that has been bothering me about computers for awhile now. Does having more memory as in RAM, improve the speed of gaming or is it the graphics card that affects gaming performance?

[TheWolf]

the game loads in RAM and Virtual RAM - only the graphics of the game is affected by the graphics card - but with todays games .5 to 1.0 RAM on the graphics card is desirable.
the only area that this isn't so is in a computer with an integrated video card. in that case a portion of the RAM is assigned to the video chip on the motherboard ... but having a separate strong graphics card is best.
bottom line - yes - having more RAM is better for gaming!!

[kamikazee]

having a good gfx card improves your frame rate as well as other enchantments such as physics and lighting

having more ram improves your frame rate a little bit, but the main advantage having more memory is the load times( with good cpu too). Cause your computer can cache more data on your ram. This typically noticeable on games that load alot of data such MMO games and Sandbox games.

But if you wanna play, let say Call of Duty 4, having 1 to 2gb of Ram is enough (providing you have a decent gpu)

[desertleo]

Since we're on the topic of RAM, I remember reading somewhere that if I do decide to upgrade my RAM I should choose cards of the same size like for example two 1 gb cards or two 512 mb cards and that they should be from the same manufacturer or something. Is that right because I don't want to mess up my lap-top?

Also I've looked at RAM cards for my lap-top that are compatible with it, however my lap-top uses something called "DDR2" and the cards are specified as "DDR3" is alright to use these cards?

@Tom-I really have to thank you for making a thread like this, this is going to make my time on the computer even more of an enjoyable experience.

[kamikazee]

I think your reading about dual channel memory. Dual-channel is much cheaper, but I don't know if your laptop supports it.

DDR2 and DDR3 is not the same it, depends on what CPU/motherboard your using. DDR2 and DDR3 is not compatible with each other, meaning you cant use DDR3 ram on your laptop.

[TheWolf]

while i'm not familiar with DDR3 myself, in my experience all memory has been backwards compatable - as long as the slot is the same - i would call the laptop manufacturer to see tho.
if you're upgrading a laptop most laptops do not have two slots for memory - only one - again dble check with the manufacturer on that or check online at thier site for you model [i'll help when your ready too]
in desktop PCs that is right tho - in pairs and by the same manufacturer if possible. it's NOT ABSOLUTELY necessary tho.

[desertleo]

In terms of dual-channel, indeed my lap-top does support it. The only reason I asked was that I asked a guy at best-buy the same question and he said it's fine to use different brands and amounts of RAM like a 1 gb stick with a 512 mb stick.

I had the feeling that was the case, the guy at best-buy was definitely an idiot...

@Tom-the stick I was planning on buying was DDR3 and it was compatible with my lap-top's slots, but I heard somewhere that it might cause some unwanted...things to happen to it if my lap-top wasn't using DDR3 at the time.

[kamikazee]

tell me about it, many of their employee doesn't seem to know much about computers parts. About a month ago, I went to best-buy to buy a video card for my friend. I asked one of the employee in computer section where I could find a particular card, Nvidia 240 or ATi 5750, that in mind. He said they don't have it. But I went and see the video card section and found the card that I was looking for.

[TheWolf]

don't EVER trust employees at stores - they r usually just shmooses hired off the street!!!