RAM: 384M --> 512M worth it?

Currently, I have a dual cpu (1GHz P3) on an i815 board with 384MB SDRAM (100MHz). I realize the max I can get is 512M, but I'm just wondering if it's even worth it? I say this because my max clock speed for RAM peaks at 133MHz, and even then, I'm only using 100MHz sys bus.

Video card is ATI 128bit/128M RAM on a flat-panel monitor. Would I see that much of a performance gain? I use it for Minimal gaming (no doom3), but I may watch DVDs from time to time, or even live video feeds via broadband.

Thanks!

 

In a word, NO!.
Unless your are using programmes, or running a number of programmes at once that causes all of the physical memory to be used, forcing the PC to use virtual memory then you will notice little increase adding another 256.

If your using 2K or XP, have a look in the task manager under the performance TAB to see how much physical memory your system is using in a game or DVD.

Being a 1GHz P3 also means the improvement would be minimal.
I suggested to someone else in another post to "save their pennies for a future hardware upgrade ". I'll suggest that to you also.

In current systems the minimum RAM is usually suggested to be 512, with 1Gig being usefull, but by no means mandatory. I run 1 gig in my P4 2.8, but have never used more than 512 of physical memory. My M/B can use dual channel memory so my improvement is likely to be in using 2x512 sticks. Truth be known 2x256 would probably be fine for my usage.

HTH