Adding more RAM??

I am a newbie to the camera world so please bare with me. I own a 50d and have just recently purchased Lightroom 2.

I have a 4 year old HP Pavilion a730n
530 Intel 4 processor
512 mb RAM
200 gb hard drive
Intel graphic media accelerator-128mb shared video memory

Within the year I will be purchasing a new computer but I was hoping there was a cheaper alternative to help my old computer run a little faster for now.

I was told to puchase more RAM, but I wanted to check and see if that is a smart move. If so, then what RAM should I buy and can I install it?

Thank you in advance.

Go to www.crucial.com and download the ram scanner program they have there. It'll do a good job of examining your system and tell you what ram upgrades are applicable.

The link that Pete gave you is good, I've always had good luck with Crucial RAM.

NewEgg also has some that you might want to check out, comes in pack of 2 @ 1GB each. If you get an additional 2GB, and keep your original 512 MB, that will max out what XP is able to use anyways (well, you could add one more GB... but not sure if the cost would be worth it). That ought to make the next year, while you are waiting for your next computer, a bit more bearable...

I used the specs from HP here, since you included your model.

Even if you don't buy your RAM from crucial, it'll tell you exactly what spec you need.

Thanks for that tip, I will do that later today

Carter13 wrote in post #7919381
I am a newbie to the camera world so please bare with me. I own a 50d and have just recently purchased Lightroom 2.

I have a 4 year old HP Pavilion a730n
530 Intel 4 processor
512 mb RAM
200 gb hard drive
Intel graphic media accelerator-128mb shared video memory

Within the year I will be purchasing a new computer but I was hoping there was a cheaper alternative to help my old computer run a little faster for now.

I was told to puchase more RAM, but I wanted to check and see if that is a smart move. If so, then what RAM should I buy and can I install it?

Thank you in advance.

Smart move = yes
Can you install it = yes

Additional RAM is a good way to help speed up your system.

Having more RAM speeds up your computer because the operating system swaps memory to the hard disk when it runs out of memory for applications. This takes more time than directly reading RAM. Photo processing software is memory-intensive because of the large files. So my advice is to get as much RAM as you can afford that can be used by your operating system (Windows or whatever Apple uses). In my judgment 2gb should be the minimum.

RAM will help, but i'm not sure i'd spend any money on a machine that old.

Ok everyone I did the scan. I knew I needed more ram but it looks like I should get at least 2 gb of ram, which could be around $80. Time to figure out if I should just order a new computer? I haven't installed my lightroom program yet, and really want to be able to have something that will work for awhile.

Can someone give me a basic computer configuration that they would recommend. I don't do games, but want to do a lot of photo work eventually.

I would prefer to just buy one already done. I have purchased the HP in the past but I am open to anything.

Thanks for your help.

What do you think of this computer? $800 HP
Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit
Intel Core 2 Quad processor
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
256MB NVIDIA graphics card
PCIe x16 expansion slot


DELL=1138.00

PROCESSORIntel® Core™2 Quad processor Q8200 (4MB L2, 2.33GHz, 1333FSB)editOPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-BiteditOFFICE SOFTWAREMicrosoft® Office Home and Student 2007editWARRANTY AND SERVICE1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote DiagnosiseditMEMORY4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMseditHARD DRIVE500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™editOPTICAL DRIVEDual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capableeditMONITORS20” Dell SP2009W Widescreen LCD with 2.0 Megapixel Webcam, Dual MicrophoneseditVIDEO CARDATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB supporting HDMIeditSOUND CARDIntegrated 7.1 Channel AudioeditSPEAKERSDell AX510PA 10W Attached Speaker for Analog Flat Panel Monitorsedit

I've had good luck with both HP and Dell (at least in the laptop areas). I have read that Dell used to use propietary hardware, so you could be kind of snookered if you wanted to upgrade a Dell component in the future. Dell may not be like that any more though, and you should probably check it out.

Al

Dell had an XPS i7 machine with 3GB and 22" monitor for $790.
Expired today,
but you can still get it for less than the machine you have listed above,
http://configure.us.de​ll.com …3&c=us&l=en&s=e​ep&cs=2236
New link is $899 with 6GB, and 19" monitor.


Dell EPP has Studio XPS Desktop for $790 ($758 with DPA) with free shipping. Thanks iconian.

If paying with Dell Preferred Account (DPA) you may save an extra 3% (4% at Dell EPP), here is how:

1. During checkout, select Credit Card as method of payment
2. Click "Change Payment Type"
3. Click "Choose" link under Credit/Debit Card (again)
4. Under "Save 3% (4% at EPP) with Dell Preferred Account! (Discount applied at Final Checkout)" click "Click Here to Take Advantage of this Offer" link
5. Click "Choose" under "I already have a Dell Preferred Account" if you have one, or sign up for a new one if you don't
6. Checkout, enjoy your 3% (4% at EPP) savings

Specs

* Intel Core i7-920 Processor(8MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
* 3GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 3 DIMMs
* 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
* Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capability
* 22 inch SX2210 Widescreen Flat Panel with Webcam
* ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB
* Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
* Dell USB Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
* Dell Premium Laser Mouse
* 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
* McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 15-months
* 2Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis

Upgrades to consider

* 24" Dell S2409W Full HD Widescreen Monitor [add $60 or $2/month]