Memory upgrade questions

[CodeRedR51]

So I'm looking to upgrade the system memory on my PC but before I rush out and buy something I really need to know if it's even going to be worth it. Basically, my budget only allowed for a really cheap system so I ended up with this:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&jumpid=reg_r1002_usen_c-001_title_r0001#N90

The system currently has 4gb of ram. It says on a 64 bit windows system, I can have up to 32gb of ram with a total of two slots to put them in. Based on the link above, how much would be an acceptable upgrade and at what point does it become overkill for this system?

My problem is that the computer won't play 720p video without loading it completely first, and it just doesn't like 1080p at all. Streaming live video is always choppy and hardly ever clear. Will a memory upgrade help with this, or am I barking up the wrong tree and need to upgrade the video card instead?

The processor is soldered to the mother board and cannot be replaced. (although I work with someone who says it's still possible)

 

[DQuaN]

The problem is the video memory. Upgrading the system memory won't help. A dedicated graphics card would but it looks like your PC can't take one. I'm afraid it's live with it or buy/build a new PC.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Was afraid of that. Guess I'll live with it.

 

[David]

Eek, started to write a post then saw the picture of the motherboard in that link. A discrete graphics card isn't an option in your machine. I don't think the increased ram would help with the video problems you are experiencing. In a basic system like that 4gb is probably fine, and I definitely wouldn't spend any more money then it would take to put 8gb in.

edit: tree'd

 

[Pako]

Well, depending on your integrated graphics, you may be able to allocate more system memory to your graphics. Not to disagree with the guys above posts, as a discrete graphics card is the logical solution if you had a PCI slot.

Check your bios and see if there is an option to allocate more system memory. I have seen some of these bios on the HP's integrated allowing up to 256mb to be allocated.

Check it out and report back!

You may or may not be able to adjust your memory allocation. You might be also running into processor limitations as well.

 

[CodeRedR51]

There was no option for system memory. Only configuration options for the HDD and CD.

 

[Pako]

In your properties, how much ram is currently dedicated to video? I am guess 256MB, as that should be the fixed rate for >1GB of system memory.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Couldn't seem to find that.

 

[Pako]

1.) Press Win + R to open the Run dialog and enter: msinfo32.
2.) Then view the System Summary -> Components -> Display view and look for the Adapter RAM. You'll find the ram size there.

 

[CodeRedR51]

384mb

 

[Pako]

You might find this article helpful.
http://geeknizer.com/1080p-minimum-requirements/

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'm not really worried about offline content as much as I am streaming video.

 

[Pako]

I see. How's your internet connection? WIFI or hard wired to your computer?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Hard wired. I have zero issues playing games online, maybe a handful of disconnects since GT5 came out and not all of those were my connection. Connection is wall to modem, then split to PS3 and PC.

 

[Pako]

Just wondering if lack of bandwidth had any part in it.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Nope, don't think so. Just lack of real computer it seems.

 

[Mikeybc]

Could be another process eating up ram for no good reason, How many processes are running after a reboot ? I found occasionally I would get a stutter in video playback if my up-time was high and had many different programs opened and closed during that time, a reboot always cured it.

 

[HBR-Roadhog]

I would say take a look and see if it has a slot for a video card and if so you would likely get the best results from a new video card but make sure your power supply can handle the load. High end Video cards draw a lot of power.

As for the ram if you have 2 slots and currently have a single 4gig chip then the most cost effective way to upgrade the memory is to add another 4 gig chip 8 gigs should be more than enough for most anything.

I have not heard of the processor listed and have never saw a modern desktop where the CPU was soldered in. Seems kind of odd. Then again I never buy shelf computers, nor any of the brand names as they never quite meet my requirements and you end up paying for stuff you don't need while not getting what you do need. Instead I generally build my own systems and usually end up getting a better PC for about the same price

Edit:
In the case of streaming video 4 gigs of ram should be plenty. In fact I have one system here with 2 gigs gigs running windows 7 and it streams 1080p flawlessly. I do however have a real video card in it though not a real fast one buy todays standards. nVidia 7300GT

 

[Infinital-NG]

I would say take a look and see if it has a slot for a video card and if so you would likely get the best results from a new video card but make sure your power supply can handle the load. High end Video cards draw a lot of power.

As for the ram if you have 2 slots and currently have a single 4gig chip then the most cost effective way to upgrade the memory is to add another 4 gig chip 8 gigs should be more than enough for most anything.

I have not heard of the processor listed and have never saw a modern desktop where the CPU was soldered in. Seems kind of odd. Then again I never buy shelf computers, nor any of the brand names as they never quite meet my requirements and you end up paying for stuff you don't need while not getting what you do need. Instead I generally build my own systems and usually end up getting a better PC for about the same price

Edit:
In the case of streaming video 4 gigs of ram should be plenty. In fact I have one system here with 2 gigs gigs running windows 7 and it streams 1080p flawlessly. I do however have a real video card in it though not a real fast one buy todays standards. nVidia 7300GT

No spot for any expansion cards.

Several low end processors (Intel Atoms) are out where the CPU is soldered onto the motherboard.

The processor is soldered to the mother board and cannot be replaced. (although I work with someone who says it's still possible)

It's possible, but would need some dead-on-steady hands to do that.

Looks like you have a micro-atx motherboard, so if you wanted to upgrade and keep some components, memory, hard drive, case. Try and grab a new motherboard and processor.

 

[HBR-Roadhog]

Wow... no expansion slots and only 2 sata ports and no CPU fan!

I have personally had 3 HP computers before I started building my own. The first one was basically garbage. The motherboard died the first day I had it and HP told me it would take 6 months to get a new MB for it. I returned it to the store and vowed never to buy another HP. A few years later I saw one on sale for $250 and picked it up for use in the office. It was ok for office work but not very fast and very little room for upgrades. Lasted almost 3 years before it gave up the ghost. The last one I bought was a good one, was top of the line at the time and was a display model that had some missing components that I managed to get for $800 at the time. That one had a real network card, a real video card, top notch processor for the time lots of ram and a large HDD. I used it for 5 years without issue then the Power Supply died which I replaced and got another 5 before the new PS started to die. I then replaced the PC and placed the motherboard and CPU into my sisters computer which had a bad MB. Strangley that one is still going after 13 years now. definitely the best HP I have ever saw and the only one I was happy about buying. Even the original HDD is still working like a champ with no bad sectors.


The one problem you would be likely to face with a new MB is getting it to fit into the case, HP computers are notorious for having tiny spaces inside the case and odd small wattage power supplys so you may need to get another case and power supply to do an upgrade. You can get a decent MB and CPU without spending a ton of money as well as a decent video card maybe $300 or so.