RAM Upgrade

danny_bhoy

danny_bhoy

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Ok, so I'd like to think I was moderately techie but I need more RAM and I've got no idea where to start.

Can't afford a full new setup as I've shelled out a mammoth amount on gear this month. I'm currently limping along with 3GB which is like pulling teeth when using Lightroom.

I ideally want minimum of 8GB but I understand that the amount of RAM you can upgrade to is limited by certain things......that's where my knowledge ends.

Is it possible to tell by these stats from system info what I'll be able to squeeze out of the current setup?

Thanks in advance.


OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name DANNY-PC
System Manufacturer Packard Bell
System Model imedia S3720
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz, 2499 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. P01-A0, 13/08/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.6
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
User Name Danny-PC\Danny
Time Zone GMT Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 3.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 2.75 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.25 GB
Total Virtual Memory 5.50 GB
Available Virtual Memory 2.44 GB
Page File Space 2.75 GB
 
Danny visit the Crucial memory site, download there scanner, it will inform you the type and maximum amount of memory your system will handle.
 
Check out the Crucial website, it will scan your system and offer advice, Here.
I was recommended this by an IT company who also use it.
 
You also want to check if you are running a 32 or 64bit windows 7. If 32bit then you will not be able to use more than 4gb ram.
 
Thanks for the crucial link guys. I've actually just come from theier website - The most it recomended was a 4GB Kit, I wasn't sure if that was in addition to what I already had.

sep9001 said:
You also want to check if you are running a 32 or 64bit windows 7. If 32bit then you will not be able to use more than 4gb ram.
Click to expand...
sep9001 said:
According to the link below the ram is ddr2

http://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory-ram-upgrades/model/Packard Bell~iMedia~S3720

And you only have 2 ram slots.
Click to expand...

So does that mean I'm snookered on 2 counts as I'm sure I'm running 32bit.

To cut a long story short is there any way I can make this thing faster with a few new components other than/as well as RAM or am I wasting my time? :)

Cheers guys.
 
You could try a fresh install or a ssd.
 
I have a old Vostro 200 which is a core 2 Duo E6700 putting in the ssd has made using LR a lot better. What version of LR do you have?

I found 4 was very slow on my pc. 5 with the ssd as boot and app drive seems a lot faster. I have the images on a 1TB 7200 hd which helps.

You need to see if you have space inside the case for an extra HD.
 
sep9001 said:
I have a old Vostro 200 which is a core 2 Duo E6700 putting in the ssd has made using LR a lot better. What version of LR do you have?

I found 4 was very slow on my pc. 5 with the ssd as boot and app drive seems a lot faster. I have the images on a 1TB 7200 hd which helps.

You need to see if you have space inside the case for an extra HD.
Click to expand...

Ah I see. I'm running Lightroom 5. It was just about bearable when I was processing 10mp files but the 21mp files take ages to resolve. It's given up even trying to export to Photoshop CS6 (just get an error message saying not enough memory) which is a huge deal as it's a big part of my workflow.

How big (physically) is an SSD. Are we talking the same sort of size as you're average external hard drive?
 
Last edited:
Ssd range from 60gb to about 500GB but are very expensive compared to normal hd.

First check what is the model of the hd already in the pc. Is it 5400 or 7200. Then check if you have space and connection to add another hd.

If you have a spare connection and space and the hd already in the pc is 7200 rpm I would suggest a ssd of 120gb. Samsung evos are good. Check the price on amazon.
 
sep9001 said:
Ssd range from 60gb to about 500GB but are very expensive compared to normal hd.

First check what is the model of the hd already in the pc. Is it 5400 or 7200. Then check if you have space and connection to add another hd.

If you have a spare connection and space and the hd already in the pc is 7200 rpm I would suggest a ssd of 120gb. Samsung evos are good. Check the price on amazon.
Click to expand...

Great stuff, I'll do some digging.

Thanks for the help! :thumbs:
 
One of the most useful little applications you can download for stuff like this is CPU-Z

It's been around for AGES, and is always updated regularly to read the latest gear.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
 
danny_bhoy said:
How big (physically) is an SSD. Are we talking the same sort of size as you're average external hard drive?
Click to expand...

Most SSDs are slightly larger than a credit card, and around 6mm thick.

ssd-vs-hdd-small.jpg


There ya go. SSD next to a standard sized 3.5" HDD
 
dont forget the M-SATA version SSD - They are an order of magnitude smaller than even the 2.5 laptop drive SSD's..
 
however, looking at your pc spec - I wouldn't bother spending any money on it.

Save for a better machine - yours wasn't that great to start with.

It would be like trying to fit a V12 into your car now, theres just too much that you would also want / have to change....

In order:
new operating system
more mem
new mainboard - to handle the memory
faster hard drive
Processor
better graphics card,

= not worth the hassle unless you
1. know what you are doing.
2. have acess to some of this kit already.
3. Can be bothered...
 
Diving Pete said:
however, looking at your pc spec - I wouldn't bother spending any money on it.

Save for a better machine - yours wasn't that great to start with.

It would be like trying to fit a V12 into your car now, theres just too much that you would also want / have to change....

In order:
new operating system
more mem
new mainboard - to handle the memory
faster hard drive
Processor
better graphics card,

= not worth the hassle unless you
1. know what you are doing.
2. have acess to some of this kit already.
3. Can be bothered...
Click to expand...

:agree:
 
Diving Pete said:
dont forget the M-SATA version SSD - They are an order of magnitude smaller than even the 2.5 laptop drive SSD's..
Click to expand...
Diving Pete said:
however, looking at your pc spec - I wouldn't bother spending any money on it.

Save for a better machine - yours wasn't that great to start with.

It would be like trying to fit a V12 into your car now, theres just too much that you would also want / have to change....

In order:
new operating system
more mem
new mainboard - to handle the memory
faster hard drive
Processor
better graphics card,

= not worth the hassle unless you
1. know what you are doing.
2. have acess to some of this kit already.
3. Can be bothered...
Click to expand...

Cheers Pete - after what's been said on here and doing a bit of digging I've come to the same conclusion.

I know it's a hard thing to nail down but I'm going to have a word with the local computer shop, they build them from scratch. Just so that I'm not going in blind, what are the minimum specs I should be looking at for an editing machine? Baring in mind I'm not looking to launch rockets with this thing :)
 
if staying PC, & as a relatively cheaper setup

Then (if I was doing this)

Absolute Min 8gb (pref 16gb ram with the board able to take 32Gb)
256 SSD hard drive x 2 - 1 for operating system & 1 for using for editing with - don't waste time with 120Gb SSD drives....
min I5 processor (pref I7 quad core)
USB 3 (unlikely not to be now)
win 7 64bit pro - may have to be Win 8.1 64bit - I just prefer win 7.....

This would be the core setup I'd start with
 
Diving Pete said:
if staying PC, & as a relatively cheaper setup

Then (if I was doing this)

Absolute Min 8gb (pref 16gb ram with the board able to take 32Gb)
256 SSD hard drive x 2 - 1 for operating system & 1 for using for editing with - don't waste time with 120Gb SSD drives....
min I5 processor (pref I7 quad core)
USB 3 (unlikely not to be now)
win 7 64bit pro - may have to be Win 8.1 64bit - I just prefer win 7.....

This would be the core setup I'd start with
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for that Pete. Yeah definitely PC at the minute - can't handle starting a new business and switching to Mac as well - my head will explode.

That gives me a really good start.

The aim of the game at the minute is to walk in there and not sound Amish.
 
At the risk of getting an answer I'm sure I'm not ready for !
What are you doing to ensure data protection (i.e. Backup / storage of photos)
 
I was kinda hoping you wouldn't say that :runaway:

Its a start but not nearly enough... not as a pro...
You NEED to be thinking 3 copies, with the 3rd moved to a totally separate location.
I'd very much suggest you look at a NAS system - THESE ARE NOT CHEAP.. but the cost of a lens means that your business stays afloat no matter what.
 
You really need to look at a NAS system - THESE ARE NOT CHEAP.. but the cost of a lens means that your business stays afloat no matter what.

Pictures are your business - you 'need' to protect them - drives fail
- an extra drive is far cheaper than cloud
 
Diving Pete said:
You really need to look at a NAS system - THESE ARE NOT CHEAP.. but the cost of a lens means that your business stays afloat no matter what.

Pictures are your business - you 'need' to protect them - drives fail
- an extra drive is far cheaper than cloud
Click to expand...

Yeah, I get all that.

Been having a look and WD to a descent 4TB NAS for about £150.
 
danny_bhoy said:
Been having a look and WD to a descent 4TB NAS for about £150.
Click to expand...
They may well do a NAS for that price. Whether it is decent or not is a matter for discussion.....
 
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