Minor Upgrade, Is it Worth it?

[RichieB16]

I'm thinking about doing a minor update to my computer.  Other than replacing my 52x CD-ROM with a DVD-ROM (48x CD, 16x DVD) because my CD-ROM doesn't work very well (its only a year old and going out-go figure).  I'm thinking about adding another 512MB of RAM-here is my system specs:

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (2.0GHz)
512MB PC2700 RAM
128MB Radeon 9500 Pro Video Card
120GB Hard Drive (About Half Full  ;D)
Windows XP SP2

Anyway, I think that another stick of 512MB PC2700 RAM will make a world of difference.  What do you guys think-it seems to me the RAM is probably the current "limiting factor" of my computer.  When I built the computer last summer, I wanted to put 1GB of RAM but my friend talked me out of it-and I think I need it now.  What do you guys think, is it worth doing this?

It should cost about $110 total with the RAM and the new DVD-ROM.  That doesn't seem too bad.  Plus, I feel that the RAM won't only help my FS2004 experience, but will really help in my newer games such as "Doom 3" and "Far Cry" which are a little choppy.

[SaVas]

I had 1024mb ram and upgraded another 512mb, for 1536mb. Initially when I started with FS9 I had only 512. I dont think adding anymore than an addt'l 512 would make that much of a difference but you WILL see a difference going from 512 to total of 1024

Enjoy!

[RichieB16]

I'm not planning on adding anymore than 1024MB of RAM.  I built this computer last summer and I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep using it until summer 2006-thats when I want to build a completely new system.  So, I'm hoping this minor upgrade will keep me going until next summer and maybe a couple small changes then will last me another year.

[RichieB16]

Wow, I got the parts today and I can't believe the difference it made.  Not only in FS2004, which is very different-but mainly in "Far Cry" (which is the game I have been playing a lot lately).  It's amazing the different.  

[Gixer]

Yup most of the newer more complex games will prefer 1gig ram over 512.

I think you will soon be seeing 1gig ram standard in new PC's  ;D