System Requirements: How important is RAM?

[Deleted]

I am thinking of getting this game. I checked canirunit and I passed minimum, but not recommended. The only thing that didn't pass recommended was RAM. I have 1021 mb of it (that's 3 off of 1 gb, I think) and because I'm on vista, It says I should have 2gb. It says that for other operating systems, 1 gb would pass recommended. How Important is not having that 1027 mb and how much will it affect my game?

[dabros]

it's important, even more-so since you have vista.
RAM is pretty cheap nowadays, only takes a few minutes to install

[Dwin]

You can play wih hat much, but you'll have to run minimum or near That settings. If you have a spare 10$ go buy a gig stick.

[Lawci]

Can't say for sure here, not especially knowledgeable when it comes to computers, but I *think* RAM will affect your frame rate within the game, for the recommended amount I'd say either grab some new RAM chips/cards/modules/whatever or switch your OS to Windows XP or 7, as either will reduce the necessary RAM to play.

Also bear in mind that Cataclysm will probably up some of the system requirements, so it may be wise to wait a bit and see what they'll be on release so if you need to upgrade for Cata you'll only need to splash out once.

[roblina]

Ram doesn't effect your framerate as such, what you'll find is eventually you'll load, run 5yards and it will freeze big time on and off, move some more, freeze etc. This is because it loads the information required onto ram, but there's not enough so it has to start using your hard disc instead which is 10billion times slower.

On Vista you would really need to get some more but as mentioned, it is dead cheap. If you don't know how to add ram, there must be loads of guides on google, it's very easy to do.

[Deleted]

How much ram would I need to buy? I just checked PC World's website and it says a 2gb ram stick costs me £65

[Deleted]

Generally speaking, the more ram, the better. There are limitations of your operating system, so any amount beyond that is wasted. I think it's 4 gigs for you.

[Klypto]

Vista innately is a huge RAM whore, and in fact Windows 7 uses much less on your system, but that being said the amount you need depends on what you have.

RAM is useful because the more you have, the more operations your processor can do at once by retrieving the necessary data (of course limited to how good your processor is, but albeit the general rule of thumb the more you have the better).

For someone with a x32 bit system (as opposed to x64 bit) you'd cap out at 4 gigabytes of RAM. That is, you could have more than that but the Operating System would only register 4 gigabytes total, regardless of how many "sticks" you had. if you have a x64 bit system, then you really have no cap, and can stick as much as you want in there.

Make sure that the RAM you get is compatible with your motherboard too, you need to get some that is the right Frequency and the right type (DDR2 and DDR3 are the most common tmk). In short, do a bit of research before you start messing with your computer =P

Once you figure that out, if you want WoW to run smoothly I'd get another stick of 2 gb and that'd put you at 3 gigs total. Should make playing smoother.

[Deleted]

If I bought a 2gb ram stick, would that add 2gb of ram making me have 2gb and 1021 mb, or replace the 1021 mb?

[Evolixe]

Vista innately is a huge RAM whore, and in fact Windows 7 uses much less on your system, but that being said the amount you need depends on what you have.

RAM is useful because the more you have, the more operations your processor can do at once by retrieving the necessary data (of course limited to how good your processor is, but albeit the general rule of thumb the more you have the better).

For someone with a x32 bit system (as opposed to x64 bit) you'd cap out at 4 gigabytes of RAM. That is, you could have more than that but the Operating System would only register 4 gigabytes total, regardless of how many "sticks" you had. if you have a x64 bit system, then you really have no cap, and can stick as much as you want in there.

Make sure that the RAM you get is compatible with your motherboard too, you need to get some that is the right Frequency and the right type (DDR2 and DDR3 are the most common tmk). In short, do a bit of research before you start messing with your computer =P

Once you figure that out, if you want WoW to run smoothly I'd get another stick of 2 gb and that'd put you at 3 gigs total. Should make playing smoother.

Accually, 32-bit systems cap at 3GB and as of the OP's question:

A gigabyte of RAM isn't that expensive anymore, just make sure you have the right one and you should be able to put it in yourself in a matter of seconds.

If you want to keep on using what uve got, you are going to need to tone down some settings to the minimum for raids and cities.

If I bought a 2gb ram stick, would that add 2gb of ram making me have 2gb and 1021 mb, or replace the 1021 mb?

If you use an empty socket you get that what you had plus that what is new.

[Deleted]

For level 20-40 Dwarves, rams are a must. Mounts cut grinding time in half. Then at 40 you can farm for one of the several epic Alliance PvP mounts, I'm more of a saber man myself.

[Deleted]

For level 20-40 Dwarves, rams are a must. Mounts cut grinding time in half. Then at 40 you can farm for one of the several epic Alliance PvP mounts, I'm more of a saber man myself.

Was that an attempt at being funny?

[Prof_Sarcastic]

Just a quick point: you dont have 1021MB, you have 1024. The difference probably comes as a result of some rounding error or unusable memory area, but 1021MB memory cards don't exist. And you're right, thats 1GB.

[roblina]

If I bought a 2gb ram stick, would that add 2gb of ram making me have 2gb and 1021 mb, or replace the 1021 mb?

Firstly that 1021 is 1 gb, end of.

It depends on what is inside your computer, if it's 2 x 512mb sticks or 1 x 1gb stick. If it's 1 stick, getting another of the same specs would make it 2gb. If it's 2 x 512mb, it depends a bit on the rest of your system but you can probably get away with adding a 1gb stick, making it 2gb total. 2gb's is more or less fine to run WoW, sure you wont be rolling around in great settings and alt tabbing to desktop wouldnt be advisable in busy area's, but getting more than 2gb is pointless as the rest of your computer obviously wouldnt be great.

That £65 quote is nonsense btw, if using ddr2 then something like http://www.overclockers.co.uk/produc...id=8&subid=813 is more reasonable.

[Odexy]

If I bought a 2gb ram stick, would that add 2gb of ram making me have 2gb and 1021 mb, or replace the 1021 mb?

It depends. If your computer has free slots open to stick ram in, then yeah it'll just add on to it. But if for some reason there's only one slot you'll need to remove your current stick.

[shaw0050]

Accually, 32-bit systems cap at 3GB and as of the OP's question:

A gigabyte of RAM isn't that expensive anymore, just make sure you have the right one and you should be able to put it in yourself in a matter of seconds.

If you want to keep on using what uve got, you are going to need to tone down some settings to the minimum for raids and cities.



If you use an empty socket you get that what you had plus that what is new.

No, 4 gigabytes is the cap. Your system will only show 3 on a 32bit OS, but the rest will be reserved for system use.

[wFlux]

No, 4 gigabytes is the cap. Your system will only show 3 on a 32bit OS, but the rest will be reserved for system use.

Both of you are pretty much right.

Your 32-bit OS will only let you use 3.5gb of its 4gb limit, because it needs the remaining 500 (or 512 if we're picky) for the system.


64-bit systems do not have an actual limit, but I -think- there is an artificial limit in place at around 4 Petabytes (4000 Terabytes -- consider that 1 Terabyte = 1000gb) of memory (equivalent of a 48-bit system). I don't know why, & I could be wrong.




Unrelated note: Blizzard utilizes 1.3 Petabytes of storage to maintain the World of Warcraft. (http://www.industrygamers.com/news/b...aft-stat-bomb/)

[Deleted]

Where are my ram slots gonna be on the computer?

[Heywes]

you will be able to play it with that much ram, but you will notice the difference between that much and say 3-4gig.

My laptop can play wow and it is a mac with 1gig of ram, core 2 2.1ghz and an crappy intel chipset card. All the way to BC is fine, Org is annoying. Dala is murder and so is Shat (not so much since the leaving of people). BC zones are fine and WoTLK zones are decent out side of crowded areas.

Its doable, but not advisable.

Buy a 2gig DDR2 667mhz stick of ram and u should be right (assuming your motherboard can handle said stick) or get slighty faster if u want to spend the extra $$ (or pounds in your case lol).

Where are my ram slots gonna be on the computer?

On the motherboard, have DDR written next to them.

[Deleted]

I'll probs just buy a 1gb stick If anything.