Effect of RAM Upgrade?

There is no way to calculate how much a RAM upgrade will improve performance. Within reasonable limits adding RAM will always improve performance. But there will always be a point of diminishing returns after which more RAM will do very little. That point is heavily dependent on your workload. There are many aspects to performance, some of which are very difficult to measure. Some may be much improved by a RAM upgrade, others will not.

It depends a great deal on how much RAM you have now and what the computer is used for.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
RAM Upgrade Effects Estimated From Task Manager

What follows is an overly simplified version of how RAM is used. When a system first boots, all the RAM is available. Hardware reserves some RAM, the operating system uses some RAM, As programs are loaded the more RAM is used. Once all the RAM is used, then virtual memory is used. Virtual memory is the page file on the disk. So if you only have 1 disk, additional programs must be read from the disk, and other programs will have not recently used portions of programs written to the page file on the disk. So more RAM instead of using a page file increases the disk load speed by a factor of 2, and reduces wear and tear on the hard drive. If running programs need to actively use more RAM than is installed the system may run slower by more than a factor of 2.

The effects of a RAM upgrade can be estimated from examining task manager and resource monitor as programs are ran. The system below has 1.1GB available and 567MB paged to disk. So 533MB of memory is available without any paging. So additional memory will not speed up the system for what is running. However, if the system had only 2GB of RAM then 2566MB would be paged to disk, and this additional 2GB would take a while to write to disk.

TM.PNG

Continuously high Hard Faults/sec is another indicator that more RAM will speed the system up. The Resource Monitor picture below shows some initial hard faults as a new program is loaded. This is OK. The last part of the Hard Faults graph is near zero, so more RAM will not significantly speed this system up.

RM.PNG
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba C55Dt-A5106
    CPU
    Processor AMD A6-5200 APU with Radeon(TM) HD Graphics, 2 Ghz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    Toshiba PSCFWU-02C031
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8400
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Laptop and DELL E193FP
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba MQ01ABD075
    DVD Writer TSSTcorp CDDVDW SU-208FB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave 2.4 Cordless or Laptop Standard PS/2 Keyboard Enhanced
    Mouse
    Logitech M1100 Performance Laser Cordless Combo or Logitech G500
    Internet Speed
    Upload/Download 91/11Mbps
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton
    Other Info
    Toshiba System Settings V1.1.2.32001
    BIOS Version Inside Corp., 1.60, 11/15/2013
    EC (Embedded Controller) Version 1.20
    Hardware Abstraction Layer 6.3.9600.16500
Some simple rules of thumb for windows.
Minimum: 1GB per processor core.
""Normal" maximum use: 2 GB per core for best results.
Using memory intensive programs like video processing: double of whatever you have.
8 GB enough to lower or kill PF altogether and any game out there.
Even with small amount of RAM, an SSD can help a lot.
Check memory usage while doing what you do most and if it hit's 90 - 95% usage, ad some more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
towget said:
How do I calculate the effect on Performance of my PC if I upgrade RAM?
I agree, you cannot "calculate" what you will achieve "IF" you upgrade. You can only measure before and after. And for sure, any gains depend greatly on your starting point.

ContMike said:
Some simple rules of thumb for windows.
Minimum: 1GB per processor core.
""Normal" maximum use: 2 GB per core for best results.
I like that. But still, if only a dual-core processor, performance gains would be significant if you installed 8Gb.

I generally say the "sweetspot" for triple-channel memory motherboards is 6Gb and 8Gb for dual-channel boards. By sweetspot, I mean less than that and performance noticeably degrades, and more than that and performance gains are minimal, if "noticeable" at all. That is, benchmarking programs may show better performance with more than the sweetspot, but your human brain likely won't.

I would say 9Gb for triple-channel boards but sadly, RAM makers don't make 3Gb sticks so the next step would be 12Gb (3 x 4Gb) and that is WAY more than most people need.

That said, need and want two entirely different things. I have 16Gb (2 x 8Gb) in this machine simply because it is what I wanted. ;)

Of course, with anything over 4Gb, you MUST have a 64-bit operating system.

Also note the smaller amount of RAM you have the more critical it is to have a lots of free disk space and a properly configured Page File for it to operate in. And I recommend all users (novices and pros alike) just let Windows manage the Page File. Even with gobs of RAM installed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Triple channel is not actual any more but even dual channel does not help much, mostly in benchmarks. Not even RAM frequency matters too much, that's more important for OC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Triple channel is not actual any more
I don't understand what you mean. While not as popular as dual-channel, there are still triple-channel boards available and still MANY in use.

And while I agree dual-channel (or triple) performance advantages did not pan out near as much as the marketing hype would have had us believe (with claims of double the performance), I would still take advantage of it if building or upgrading a computer to ensure there were no RAM compatibility issues.

So for sure, you are not likely to see any real advantage with 2 x 4G over 1 x 8Gb with a dual-channel board, but buying matched RAM is still advised if using more than one stick.

Not even RAM frequency matters too much, that's more important for OC.
Agreed. RAM quantity is MUCH MORE important than RAM speed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Triple channel used to be Intel's selling point but not any more. There is one instance when Faster RAM can be of some help. APU processors and it's GPU can benefit from faster RAM because thy use system RAM or that. Other processors and MBs with IGP too. OCing over FSB needs faster RAM because it's frequency rises too and wouldn't be able to follow,
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
How do I calculate the effect on Performance of my PC if I upgrade RAM? :D

You can't calculate that as it is very dependent on the Applications you run and how many Applications you run at the same time.Applications when they don't have enough RAM will use a page file on the HDD which is slower.

So if you have enough RAM to run a given Application or Applications, then any more may just not be used, hence no performance increase.
Whilst going from say 2 GB to 4 GB will improve performance a lot, going from say 8 GB to 16 GB will do nothing at all.

That is a very simplified view and would apply to a typical Laptop with Windows 8.1 64 bit and the usual range of applications a consumer may use.

In detail memory management is lot more complex than that, but I think that simple view is enough for most people.
 

My Computer

Every case is for itself, best thing to turn PF off, load computer with as many programs running as you usually do and check memory use, if you habitually use maximum you have than it's time to get more. Otherwise unused RAM is just wasted and doesn't help any.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
And then remember to enable the PF again.
Yes of course but depending on amount of memory it may be lowered to GB or two.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Do I need to upgrade RAM and I want to know if my PC runs Dual Channel or Tripple Channel RAM (Model -- HP Envy M6 1102tx)
 

Attachments

  • RAM-used.jpg
    RAM-used.jpg
    71.7 KB · Views: 53

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
That shows in the upper right you have 6Gb of DDR3 installed. That is plenty.

But it also shows you only have 272Mb available. That is bad. It is also showing your CPU is nearly maxed out. That is bad.

And it is showing your disk utilization is 100% - also bad when it sticks up there.

Clearly, some program is running amok and consuming all your resources and you need to determine what it is.

Scan for malware with your regular scanner and verify with Malwarebytes's Anti-Malware (MBAM).

Note JHough's comment above. Look under the Processes and Details tabs and see if you can tell what is using up your resources.

Yes of course but depending on amount of memory it may be lowered to GB or two.
There is no reason to manually mess with your PF settings with a modern version of Windows like W7 or W8. They are not XP and should not be treated as such. In fact, what was common with XP is probably not good with W7 or W8 and that includes the PF. Windows knows how to manage it quite well and will adjust the size as needed. The only reason to set a small PF size is when you are critically low on disk space - but the fact is, reducing the PF size is the wrong answer. What should happen is unused programs need to be uninstalled to free up space, and/or more disk space needs to be purchased.

The thought used to be if you reduce the PF size, Windows will be forced to use faster RAM instead of the slow HD. Again, that might have been with XP but W7 and W8 are smarter than that and will use the faster RAM for the highest priority data.

The problem with manually setting the PF, even if you do it right by properly analyzing how you use your resources, is you must re-analyze regularly to ensure it is still set right. Just let Windows do it unless you truly are smarter than the PhDs and engineers at Microsoft using MS supercomputers to analyze decades of experience and empirical data - AND you are disciplined enough to regularly adjust them as needed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
There's difference with PF size on disk and size used. With 8GB RAM windows suggested and took/reserved 16 GB of the disk and that one being 120GB SSD really did not have to be there. I used to turn PF completely but finally settled at 1 BG "just in case". That's how it was with W7, 8, 8.1 and W10TP.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
If you have 8Gb of RAM and only 1Gb PF, the PF will not even hold a full dump file. If not low on disk space, it makes no difference if the PF is bigger than what you think you need.

But I don't want to drive this OT. I am just going to say again that W7, W8 and W10 are not XP and should not be treated as XP was. And unless you are true Windows expert, best to leave resource management settings alone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
If you have 8Gb of RAM and only 1Gb PF, the PF will not even hold a full dump file. If not low on disk space, it makes no difference if the PF is bigger than what you think you need.

But I don't want to drive this OT. I am just going to say again that W7, W8 and W10 are not XP and should not be treated as XP was. And unless you are true Windows expert, best to leave resource management settings alone.
I may not be windows "expert" but settings like this serve me well ever since W7. During XP time I never had more than 4GB and that being XP was better left to manage it by itself. My only reason is to save some space on SSD without moving PF to other disk which was helpful in XP. Never had a problem or BSOD that could be attributed to it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
but settings like this serve me well
:rolleyes: I can't tell you how many times I have heard that and, frankly, it amazes me. Especially when the settings are changed almost automatically when they get a new system without even giving the defaults a chance. Since it is highly likely the hardware itself is much more capable than their previous systems, no doubt performance was still good.

But the question is, do settings like that serve them "better"? The answer is typically, no.

Same with Indexing. People disable it because it dragged XP down instead of giving it a chance to get caught up. They mess with defragging instead of letting it work with Windows fetch routines to optimize performance. But because their CPUs and graphics and gobs of RAM are much faster, they still see performance gains over their old systems, but could see better if they just let Windows manage it. Windows 7/8/10 are excellent operating systems. And managing hardware resources is what operating systems are all about.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Typically (whatever it may mean in this context) maybe but I tune my windows up and check consequences all the time. As I said 1GB PF works just fine for me, saving 15 GB is more important. Indexing and superfetch I do not change, they are useful, my main computer (this one) runs 24/7 with not much to do during the night so indexing has a lot of time to do it's job and even with SSD it helps somewhat. Defraging is always exempted from autoranning. In XP I used third party programs to occasionally defrag but only when it hits 15 - 20%, below that it didn't help any. Ever since W7 I never had to defrag any drives even with large traffic thru them. Out of 3HDDs only one is somewhere about 2% fragmented so even automatic defrag has no meaning.
As I said before, this exact computer have seen all the windows and it's iterations since Vista, I overclock and measure performance all the time (saving all results) so I can tell if something is running at top performance or not. Every time I change drivers for instance I check performance. Program "Meminfo" is running all the time and can give me memory loads, Free RAM as well as PF and each process at a glance. With a lot of programs running at this time for instance, used RAM is sitting at only 2.4 GB anyway so emploing PF too seems unnecessary and doesn't help at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
but I tune my windows up and check consequences all the time
As I said 1GB PF works just fine for me
And that's fine. But by far, you are the exception as most people would know how to check, nor would they understand what they saw if they did check. So those who don't tweak and check consequences all the time, regardless the amount of RAM they have, they should just let Windows manage it. Because for sure, that will work just fine for them too. And if it doesn't then that is just a signal to them to free up, or buy more disk space.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Back
Top