RAM for 64bit performance

[Xoni]

Mornin' all

I currently have a Vista 64bit system based on an E6850 at 3.6GHz and 4 GB of Reaper HPC8500 DDR2.

Performance in gaming (eg STALKER & Clear Sky)is generally pretty good, but I get mediocre results in FSX - which I have been using for a long time.

I can't see too much improvement coming from a cpu change (and probably can't afford a better one anyway) so I was wondering whether an increase in RAM to 6GB would do the trick.

The system page file was set to a lowly 3gigs, though the system recommended was 9. I changed it to 5 min to 8 max and put it on a second hard drive, rather than the o/s drive.

So, basically, I'm after opinions from 64 bit users whether they have seen better frames with 6GB?

TiA

Xoni

[blueball]

I run Vista 64 with 8Gb DDR2 Dual Channel. I cannot think of a single game that I play where the frame rates have increased because of the extra RAM. The biggest impacts were from CPU and GPU upgrades.

What CPU/GPU do you currently have?

[Xoni]

As I said - I have an E6850 at 3.6GHz.

The gpu is an HD4870/1GB, but as the most performance in FSX is cpu/RAM related, the 4870 is plenty fast enough.

Xoni

[maxwilson]

FSX is one of applications that makes good use of a quad core processor. I noticed a massive improvement when I upgraded to my Q6600.

You can pick them up on ebay for as cheap as £85!

[blueball]

As I said - I have an E6850 at 3.6GHz.

The gpu is an HD4870/1GB, but as the most performance in FSX is cpu/RAM related, the 4870 is plenty fast enough.

Xoni

Ooops sorry, missed that.

The CPU/GPU combo you have is perfectly capable as the system specs for FSX are very low (http://www.microsoft.com/games/fligh...duct_info.html)

As it is a DirectX 9 game I would download the latest directx installer from microsoft and update your dx9 install. It might even be worth installing the dx9 files that are on the FSX media.

I have had several games where the performance improved after updating dx (even DX10 games)

[Badbonji]

Ooops sorry, missed that.

The CPU/GPU combo you have is perfectly capable as the system specs for FSX are very low (http://www.microsoft.com/games/fligh...duct_info.html)

As it is a DirectX 9 game I would download the latest directx installer from microsoft and update your dx9 install. It might even be worth installing the dx9 files that are on the FSX media.

I have had several games where the performance improved after updating dx (even DX10 games)

The crysis MINIMUM specs are low too, doesn't mean you can max it out though. FSX loves a quad core, and with my GTX295 it runs beatifully maxed out with everything on full detail at 1920x1200. The RAM will barely net you any more fps, as I reckon it is your CPU holding you back, or even the gpu depending on settings.

[handscombmp]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ng,2250-7.html
You may find this useful.
Although its about does 64Bit make a difference in games it does compare 6gb of ram to 3gb

[Xoni]

Thanks for the replies - I'll be sticking with my 4GB for now.

Xoni