Ten-year-old computer: new memory worthwhile?

Wisewiz · 06 May 2021

Working on a ten-year-old system with original single-channel DDR3 1600 memory x 16GB. Comp seems to have a little trouble coping with memory-intensive work on multiple graphics, with many images in extended clipboard, and error messages pop up in editing software. All is well if I just reboot.

So, the question: Is it worth swapping out the two old 8GB memory sticks with new ones, to see whether that helps?

Ran the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool on it, and it found no problems, but I'm just wondering how informative that is with old, possibly tired, memory sticks.

(If this strikes you as a stupid question, please remember what Shawn Brink says about that judgement.

)

System is W10Pro 20H2 and otherwise fast and reliable.

Dan

ignatzatsonic · 06 May 2021

Wisewiz said:

So, the question: Is it worth swapping out the two old 8GB memory sticks with new ones, to see whether that helps?

.......................old, possibly tired, memory sticks.

I'd seriously doubt it.

You can run a more comprehensive memory test if you like, to confirm what the Windows memory tool told you.

If you don't get outright errors, I'd assume the sticks aren't "tired".

You'd presumably get better RAM benchmark numbers if you bought the fastest possible compatible replacement DDR3, but I really doubt that would translate into anything you'd notice.

10 year old CPU and hard drive.........much more likely responsible for performance issues, but replacing them would be buying oats for an aging horse. Maybe get an SSD if you don't have one? Probably cost no more than any memory changes.

Bree · 06 May 2021

Wisewiz said:

...seems to have a little trouble coping with memory-intensive work on multiple graphics, with many images in extended clipboard, and error messages pop up in editing software. All is well if I just reboot....

I have machines with 4, 8, and 16GB. Can't say that 16GB gives a noticeable improvement over 8GB.

If a reboot cures it for a while, that suggests you have a memory leak in some of your software. What are you using?

Wisewiz · 06 May 2021

In this case, it's Greenfish Icon Editor Pro. Gives me the message "Can't save this file. Unknown format." On reboot, it has no problem saving the same file.

Maybe it's just the software, and the old memory is fine. Hm?

Ignatz, it's an i5 4570, and it's using a brand new Samsung SSD.

bobkn · 06 May 2021

Wisewiz said:

In this case, it's Greenfish Icon Editor Pro. Gives me the message "Can't save this file. Unknown format." On reboot, it has no problem saving the same file.

Maybe it's just the software, and the old memory is fine. Hm?

Ignatz, it's an i5 4570, and it's using a brand new Samsung SSD.

Just a guess, but I doubt that changing the RAM would help.

Wisewiz · 06 May 2021

Thanks, ignatz, Bree, and bobkn for logging in and sharing your wisdom with me. I'm going to abandon the open-'er-up-and-feed-'er-more-oats plan and talk to the developer of GFIE Pro.

Marking this one Solved.

AndreTen · 06 May 2021

Problem that you described makes me think about that folder you are saving to. Does this program make a lot of temporary files?

Sounds more like a file system problem, not memory. Make regular temp file cleaning (Windows storage ceaner is fine)

Wisewiz · 06 May 2021

Andre, Thanks for thinking of that, but I do, in fact, keep my .tmps under control. Disk Cleanup and carefully set CCleaner help me make sure that those little guys don' mess wi' da boss.