More RAM?

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I have a Dell Inspiron 530 computer which has 3mb Ram (2 slots @1gb and 2 slots @ 0.512gb) Maximum I understand is 4mb

If I were to increase RAM to 4mb do you think I would notice a significant improvement?

Reason I ask is when I run photoshop elements 9 computer sounds as though it's overworking???/fan(s) working hard - is this normal? - with other programmes it's quite quiet

Thanks
 
What OS as if its only 32 bit then it won't use all 4gb anyway so your probably best going up to 3gb
 
I think you mean 4gig not 4mb! 4gig is good bet. I am increasing to 8gig at the end of the month
 
The OP needs to let us know what OS they have before we can give any opinions as to whether a RAM upgrade would be of any use.

After that it would then be dependant on what his motherboard will accept
 
Thank you all for your replies - more info as requested:-

op/system - windows 7 - 32bit
Processor - 2.20 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo - 64bit ready
Motherboard?? Details of main circuit board reads:- Board Dell 0RY007
Serial No CN736047AS053D
Bus Clock 200 megahertz
BIOS Dell 1.0.18 02/24/2009
Fairly sure when I bought machine it said 4gb RAM max

Only reason I'm thinking of adding extra RAM is because of the "groaning" from the PC whilst running Elements 9 - that's if you think an extra 1gb will cure it

Does anyone else get this "groaning" from similar spec machine? - all other programmes are quiet

Again thanks for your help
 
is it definately the fans going for it or the hard drive?

if fans it could be 2 things, the CPU is getting a hammering. or the heatsink is clogged and its overheating.

if the hard drive then it could be the system is paging to the swapfile, i.e. low/insufficient physical memory.

can you open task manager and look at the performance tab, open elements and see if any of the graphs go high?
 
Thanks for the replies

As I said it only occurs with elements 9 - sounds like fan(s) to me

Neil I'm a computer dummy!! - I have plenty of memory about 350gb - do not understand low/insufficient physical memory nor task master/performance tab

Please explain if you think I'll understand!!! - Thanks
 
i think youre getting confused about memory and hard disk space.

what happens normally when the memory is filled up information is written to a temporary swap file on the hard disk. an indication of which would be the hard drive light flickering a lot.

the task manager can be found by either right clicking on the task bar at the bottom of the screen or by pressing ctrl+alt+del
 
the fans going sounds to me like processor is getting pushed rather than memory usage. 3GB is decent-ish anyway and i'd be surprised if elements 9 used it all up...!
 
Again thanks for replies

Neil/trencheel - started task manager and CPU usage in elements 9 is nearly always on 100% (85-100%) Memory is approx 900mb - about 30% - does this info help

Thanks
 
yep, it means you have plenty of memory already and that your CPU is working hard. The fans probably have dust and other bits of clog that need cleaning from inside the computer so that it can work hard without overheating... just like the engine in a car.
 
just to note that dells usually have PWM fans (heat controlled, i.e. hotter it gets the faster the fans go) so it may just be that. a CPU at full tilt is going to kick out more heat and the fans spin faster whether the heatsink is clogged or not :)

but if its a year or two old the heatsink could have a fair coating of that nasty grey stuff, more so if the unit is on the floor.
 
Thanks for your advice

Firstly should I vacuum inside PC case - fan etc? and if no improvement what do you suggest as a CPU upgrade (If it's too expensive I'll go back to Paint shop pro 7!!!)
 
ha the old vacuum debate again. i wouldnt personally, the nozzle will be charged full of static (not good for computers). if you have a rocket blower thatd be ideal.

having a quick google it seems the 530 had different motherboards for different CPUs. some seem to suggest an intel Q6600 quad 2.4ghz (£120~). however you would need to find out what motherboard you have and whether it is compatible, also whether your PSU it up to the task.
 
Once again thanks for the replies - update:-

PC was quite dusty, particularly on the heatsink? below a fan - all blown out and PC up and running - CPU usage on elements just the same!

Searched under CPU usage elements 9 and it was suggested "turning off some applications under edit - preferences, this I did and CPU usage is now normal

Many thanks for your help
 
i thought it was a bit suspect, a core2duo might not be the latest but they still have a good bit of pulling power and it seemed strange that elements was locking it up for that long.
 
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