Memory performance & vfm

[Gibbo]

So as some of you may know I have just updated my CPU and mobo. I didn't bother (at this stage) swapping out the RAM for anything. So my current setup is:
Asus P5W DH Deluxe
E6600 Conroe @ std 2.4GHz
2 x 1024MB DDR2 533MHz Samsung (matched pair in dual channel mode) PC4300.

I know the weak point in my sustem is the RAM.

I do not overclock.

I use the system as the hub of a recording studio running Sonar6.2, Reason3.0.4 and loads of plug-ins. Current favourite VSTi is ReFX Nexus.....

Since swapping out the mobo and CPU I have noticed a dramatic drop in CPU load (% terms) and am wondering if a RAM upgrade will result in further a performance boost and if so how much and how noticeable.

The budget won't stretch (atm) to PC8500 1066 RAM - I may wait to see how quickly it comes down in price (if at all) but if there was a noticeable performance gain I may be tempted by PC6400 orr the like.

I'd probably be looking at 3GB in total (XP32 forever- [no 64bit drivers for most of my hardware].

Or should I just fit 2 x 512 533DDR2 PC4300 Samsung to match out my current RAM - which would probably be by far the cheapest option........?

What say you?

[kalniel]

No.



Unless you are ever using more than 2gb of RAM, there won't be a noticeable different. If you are using more than 2gb, getting the cheap extra 1gb will sort you.

[Gibbo]

No.

If you are using more than 2gb, getting the cheap extra 1gb will sort you.

Obviously I'm not at the moment but on my old P4 640 system I was regularly using 1.5GB with the modest track counts possible before the CPU choked. I'm thinking with the extra track count potential of the E6600, I could very easily be loading in more and more samples and exceed the 2GB....

now to find a dealer with 2 x 512Mb compatible RAM....