How much Ram is Really Needed for XP

[coopaloop]

How much Ram is really needed for running Windows XP...Is 512 enough for
a non gamer...Or would adding another 512 stick make it noticabily faster.

[Cyber6]

How much Ram is really needed for running Windows XP...Is 512 enough for
a non gamer...Or would adding another 512 stick make it noticabily faster.

The minimum requirements for WinXP OS is 128Mb. 256 is recomended. I have WinXP Pro running on PIII-900MHz with 256Mb and it runs flawlesly. For regular applications (internet/email/wordprocessing) runs as fast as my Pentium M 750 processor.


C.

[Milkin_it]

25mb

[-Jb-]

256MB would be the lowest I would consider for a relatively 'clean' install of XP with basic uses. If you bought an OEM machine loaded to the nines with preloaded goodies, it'll eat away a good portion of the ram installed.

Although, if you have Norton AV (I hear Kasperavy is also huge on memory usage), browse loads of IE windows, and want to listen to MP3's at the same time, 512MB->1GB of ram is your friend.

[Cafe_333]

If you already have 512mb in there, it's already fine for what you do. In fact, everybody can get by on 512mb, but I will tell you that XP does run smoother on more ram. Of course upgrading to 1GB is more of a luxury than it is a necessity - but considering the cheap cost of such an upgrade, it does yeild greater returns. And everyone who's tried going from 512mb to 1GB have all noticed/felt a big difference in performance boost and will tell you that it was worth every bit of their money. So in short, if you got the money, go for it and get another stick of 512. If not, you'll be just fine on 512 - and save getting a 2nd stick for future upgrade considerations.

[TigerEROS]

At least 512MB for it to be stable ... but no one would complain about having more RAM. I have 1GB and I think it is too little.

[coopaloop]

Is now a good time to buy Ram? Or will prices increase soon

[deep]

Only on a very clean install have I seen WinXP survive and thrive with 256MB of RAM. I have to go with it on my wife's laptop as it's not worth upgrading, but I really receommend 512MB.

A friend bought a couple of Dell's with the base 256MB RAM, and with all of the auxillary crap they installed, the machines crawled. Deleted a bunch of nonsense, upgraded to 512MB, and they were like new machines.

[ericyjh85]

trust me, get 1GB ram, it will be the best $60 you can spend for you computer.

512mb and 1gb ram means a world of difference. You load everything much much faster.

[Milkin_it]

trust me, get 1GB ram, it will be the best $60 you can spend for you computer.

512mb and 1gb ram means a world of difference. You load everything much much faster.

true, wish the ram was cheaper though - like FREE! haha

[duckdown]

While 1GB is ideal, 256MB should pose no problem

[akosh]

I've used it with 64 - wasn't too bad.

[duckdown]

I've used it with 64 - wasn't too bad.

yeah

lack of RAM shouldn't restrict you from installing XP ever.. if anything it will just be slow as hell from all of the HDD accessing

[stevethewheel]

We have it running on a Celeron 800 and 256 mb. It's fine for doing any one or two things at a time. Can even burn CD's no problem.

I recommend you get 512 though if you are just starting out and have to buy your very first stick of memory.

[fuhreal]

I have an AMD XP 2600+ running with 1 gig of Ram, I'd like to have more as Uncompressing large files still takes alot of time, however running Photoshop, surfing the net while also running Excel, word and playing music, poses no delay in switching apps. (This particular machine has been running since 2002 without a format )
I also have about 6 programs always running (A/V, Spysweeper, Incd, Firewall etc...)
Think of it this way.. the more ram you have the more things you can do at once. Also check your HD space, increase your swap file size to accomodate for your lack of RAM. However RAM is alot faster than windows using the SWAP.

I have a laptop as well, its a PIII 650 with only 392MB ram. This machine runs "OK" but the lag when multiple apps are open, like outlook and basically anything else causes alot of lag, however this is also due to the weap proccessor.... bleh... i want a new computer


IMO go with 1 gig if you do alot, if you don't do much, 512 should be fine.

Most tech's that are worth what you pay them will tell you XP should have a minimum "workable" amount of ram 512MB.