Reliable memory test?

[Parkbandit]

I THINK I need more memory for my computer.. but is there a way to test it for leaks or amount? I couldn't find a good utility to do this in XP.

My computer is a hp media center pc m470n. I'm running to CompUSA today to maximize the memory (I am damn tired of WOW lag).

So.. gimme a utility to test my current memory and tell me how much Ram (?) I have.. and also tell me what is the best chip or two I should get.

[CrystalTears]

You sure it's your computer that needs more memory?

:D

[Parkbandit]

CT is a h8er.

Maybe we should just do it.. so that your frustrations can simply go away and we can be friends.

[Anailea]

http://www.crucial.com/index.asp

This site can tell you how much you have, how much you are capable of having and suggest brands and types.

Anailea

[Wezas]

Start -> Control Pannel -> System

Under the general tab (default) it says how much RAM you have.

Dunemaul has some shitty lag in popular places and especially in WC (and possibly other instances).

Do us a favor and click over to the "Hardware" tab and click "Device Manager"

Then under Display Adapaters it should have the name of the video card you use. That's the more likely suspect if you have at least 512mb of RAM.

[Alfster]

Speaking of which, someone hook me up with a cheap video card.

[Wezas]

As for video cards, after my research and seeing the comparisons it looked like the Geforce 6600 GT 128mb PCIe was kicking all the cards ass or keeping up with them. Even with the 256mb cards.

$131

Geforce 6600 GT 128mb PCIe (http://www.pricewatch.com/prc.aspx?i=37&a=188022)

3.0ghz, 1gb RAM, 1280x1024 resolution in WoW - runs smooth as silk.

[Gan]

Check out TigerDirect.com Alfster. They've always got cheap prices. And your sig is priceless. I know what I'm going to be doing with all those pickpocketing ranks at the next merchant.

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Wezas
Start -> Control Pannel -> System

Under the general tab (default) it says how much RAM you have.

Dunemaul has some shitty lag in popular places and especially in WC (and possibly other instances).

Do us a favor and click over to the "Hardware" tab and click "Device Manager"

Then under Display Adapaters it should have the name of the video card you use. That's the more likely suspect if you have at least 512mb of RAM.

Ok.. I have 512 already with another slot empty.

The device manager says I have a Radeon 9200.

Is that bad? Should I get a new video card instead of another 512 memory chip?

If so, what kind of card do I need?

[Wezas]

Radeon basically means you have the on-board video. Your video is stealing it's memory from your computer's physical memory.

That's good for average users and work computers.

I'd suggest getting a video card first and RAM later. A card is more pricey then memory, but you'll notice a big difference when you play WoW.

[hectomaner]

Originally posted by Wezas
As for video cards, after my research and seeing the comparisons it looked like the Geforce 6600 GT 128mb PCIe was kicking all the cards ass or keeping up with them. Even with the 256mb cards.

$131

Geforce 6600 GT 128mb PCIe (http://www.pricewatch.com/prc.aspx?i=37&a=188022)

3.0ghz, 1gb RAM, 1280x1024 resolution in WoW - runs smooth as silk.

6800 pcie, 1 gig ram, 2.8ghz, 1680x1200 or something like that, ALL settings maxed, runnign at 45-50 fps everywhere but bwl, where its 35ish fps

[Some Rogue]

I'd say get the RAM. I used to play on 512 and lagged like hell. Added another 512 and almost never lag now.

[Wezas]

6800pcie = $200+ depending on memory.

The resolution I have it set at is plenty for me, and I can't imagine PB's eyes lasting that long at anything higher.

Depends on how much cash you want to spend and how detailed you want it.

Basically getting any kind of hardware card will improve your game.

[Bobmuhthol]

<<As for video cards, after my research and seeing the comparisons it looked like the Geforce 6600 GT 128mb PCIe was kicking all the cards ass or keeping up with them. Even with the 256mb cards.>>

So you're saying I should get this card instead of the 256-bit 256 MB GDDR3 Powercolor Radeon X800GT?

[Bobmuhthol]

<<Radeon basically means you have the on-board video. Your video is stealing it's memory from your computer's physical memory.>>

...

Radeon 9200 is a 128 MB DDR AGP card.

[FinisWolf]

My money is on GeForce, and I have found that radeon's like totally suck ass.

I run the 5700, and LOVE it!

Finis

[fallenSaint]

Id advise upgrading the ram to 1gig myself, that video card you have is really plenty to run the game, when I played was on my laptop with onboard Intel extreme graphics (don’t let the name fool you its horrible) and it played fine and only thing of note was the gig of ram.

Oh and allow me to put a word in for pricewatch.com if your going to buy online, never failed me yet for good deals.

And if you do upgrade Video the previous one suggested is a great buy.

[Makkah]

My Radeon 9800XT is a good card... I'd say buy a cheap 9800 Pro and then FLASH it because they pretty much ship all with the XT chipset now-days... I get around 6500-7000 as a 3dMark03 benchmark. Can run EQ2 at fairly high settings with 1gb ram, that card and only a 2.4ghz processor...

EDITED to say newegg has the 9800 Pro 128 at around $115

[Edited on 11-30-2005 by Makkah]