more ram = better performance?

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nddhc

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I only have 256MB of ram and I just got a Delta 1010 PCI card.. Im also looking into getting pro tools m powered, but it requires me to have 384Mb of ram.

Will upgrading my ram to 512 or even a gig or more SIGNIFICANTLY increase the performance of my computer when recording? Possibly give me less latency as well? Right now im getting about 5 ms.. I have a 2.6 Ghz P4 Dell computer.

Or, since im limited on cash, should I just buy what I need to get by?
 
nddhc said:
Will upgrading my ram to 512 or even a gig or more SIGNIFICANTLY increase the performance of my computer when recording? Possibly give me less latency as well? Right now im getting about 5 ms.. I have a 2.6 Ghz P4 Dell computer.

Or, since im limited on cash, should I just buy what I need to get by?
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It sure as hell won't hurt!At least double what you have so far!
 
I have 512MB and I find it limiting. But I also do a lot of drum programming, so I need a lot of samples to be loaded in RAM. I plan on getting at LEAST another 512MB stick.

I'd say 512MB is the minimum you should have in your system for recording.
 
You can buy 512mb sticks of PC3200 these days for around 40 bucks, give or take @ www.newegg.com


I wouldn't exctly say that it makes your PC faster, it makes your PC process information more effeceintly as it adds buffer space to already exsisting process space allowing more processes at one time, with a much more smooth transition, rather than bottlenecking the processes as they are initiated. Try saying that 3 times fast.

More RAM will ultimatly result in quicker response times for functions and allow more functions to occur at the same time without jittery lag (to an extent) More RAM is ALWAYS a good thing.


EDIT - I use 2G of RAM in my DAW and Gaming PC, wouldn't settle for anything less.
 
This has been tackled extensively in older posts. Basically, for your core recording, mixing and effects plugins, you're mainly concerned with CPU power. On the other hand, if you're dealing with VST instuments, and perhaps intensive reverbs, etc., RAM is king.

In your case, however, 256mb is really low and should be corrected despite my above ramblings.
 
IronFlippy said:
I have 512MB and I find it limiting. But I also do a lot of drum programming, so I need a lot of samples to be loaded in RAM. I plan on getting at LEAST another 512MB stick.

I'd say 512MB is the minimum you should have in your system for recording.
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Same here. I have 512 and it works OK, I am just careful with plugins and dont use many softsynths.
 
A faster HD 7200 rpm or better yet 10,000rpm with a fast dual core processor can do wonders.
 
Ram is the easyest way to up grade a computer. I don't think most people would consider trying to run a Soft studio with less than a gig.
I don't think it will effect Latency however.

For about $50 you can get a hardware sound modual (used eBay) = 0 latency
and gives your computer less to do.
 
I'd say at least double that. If you tend to use samplers, spcially with multisamples, reverb, delay, and lots of tracks then I'd suggest goimg to 1GB. The last item on my list (lots of tracks), is actually more dependent on hard drive speed, but they still get cached in RAM before playback.
 
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