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Do I need 2GB RAM?

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by bill_s1416

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I am in the process of buying a new PC. My current one has 512MB RAM and it slows to a crawl when I'm working with 1+GB Access databases and 50MB Excel spreadsheets. It also has a 5,400 RPM hard drive. I'm thinking I will definitely buy the 7,200 rpm hard drive and at least 1GB RAM. Would it help even better to go with 2GB RAM (or even 1.5GB)?

14 replies

by jdmercha

1GB is getting kind of large for an Access file. Any way you can cut that down, like maybe archiving old data? Are the tables in the same datbase as the forms, queries and reports? Any other options like moving the data to SQL Server?

Otherwise definately go for as much ram as possible. You might also want to consider going with a 15K SCSI drive.

by liame

2gb ram certainly wouldnt hurt, but you may get more from a better disk setup for DB work.

If scsi is a bit too expensive try getting a setup with a sata 150 raid 0 set. With functionality already built into many motherboards these days this can often mean just adding a disk to the spec. Bear in mind though that there is no redundancy in stripe sets and therefore a failure of either disk stops it all working. Backups are more crucial than ever.

Personally I like to have a big cheap (and often slower) disk alongside the raid 0 array to use for archiving and backups etc whilst keeping the live data on the speedier array.

by oz_media

About Front Side Bus speed, HTT technology and processor caching level.

These have always seemed to be the defining differences between retail boxes with a load of RAM and a good professional workstation for business use.

I would be more concerned about WHERE the PC is bought from and what it is designed for.

Don't run out to a local electronics retailer and buy a rateil ox, find alocal Business PC reseller and buy a professional workstation. It doesn't matter how much RAM you have if the system isn't designed to perform and multitask.

The differences are HUGE in quality of hardware, R&D and warranty.

The easy was to tell the difference, if it is a one year carry in warranty, you are buying a retail box.

If it comes with 3-5 year onsite service, it is desinged for professional business use and most of the time will outperform a retail box of DOUBLE the speed and RAM specs.

A well designed, ENTRY level, professional workstation, will outperform a TOP of the line ratail box with some monster processor and RAM specs almost every time.

by youdnever

I have found (to my sorrow) that the "yes, This blah blah board is the same as that really expensive one" WRONG ! If you want hay- buy the fresh stuff -not whats been through tne horse. A Top level Mainboard PLUS 2 mainstream hard drives (sata?) with 8 mg buffer will help if you match it all with a real 450 power supply and top line ram. I g of ram should be just enough and of course the 2nd drive is for a complete backup . I know that you can spend - n - spend :-) but top this of with a decent video card (and don't forget cooling) You just about have it .

by jdclyde

If you don't have the coin for SCSI or SATA, look at a promise card to control your drives. Quicker interface to get rid of the bottlenecks.

Also, concider raid 5 to protect your data. More money because you need more drives, but fast AND relialble.

When your job is on the line, it is worth it to spend a little more if you can get away with it to avoid problems that will make you look bad.

by pweegar1

It can't hurt to have 2 gig in your pc, as mentioned. SATA drives are fairly inexpensive and I definetly would go with RAID 5, in case of a drive failure. Where is the database housed? Locally or on a server? If it's on the server, be aware that Access will copy the ENTIRE database to the local pc.

Even with a new pc, performance won't be overall great. You ARE moving a good amount of data. Besides all the other recommendations, How often do you rub repair on your tables? This is one very good way to fix any problems the db may be having (and you may not be seeing).

Also how often do you defrag your hard drive(s)??? Do a CHKDSK /f and let CHKDSK do any physcial repair that may be needed. How fast is your network connection?

My point is, that no matter what you buy, you need to do perodic maint. to keep your computer running at it's peak.

On the other hand, I would disagree with the statement that an entry level workstation will out perform any pc, including a high end pc. I have a Dell Dimension 3000 here at work with a Intel 3.0 ghz proc. It's not slow (and I move zipped SQL files of approx 900 meg EACH over our network several times a week. It's not super fast, but not slow either.

It all depends on how a computer is built, what OS your running, etc.

by oz_media

The issue with is indexing. Unless the DB is regularly indexed it will tae longer for lookups and even simple NEXT record lookups.

ALSO make sure you don't have too many nneccessary fields scheduled to be indexed. JUST index thos that you NEED for lookups, most people don't need Fax number, contact or email addresses indexed, just company name and phone number is usually perfect for quick lookups.

Indexing is a BIG load on Access.

by gobucksdave

Everyone wants to help you fix your access db and not answer your question - thats cool though - at least everyone wants to help- the recomendations of buying good hardware are right on the money. Hardware makes the difference in the performance of your new system. 2 gigs of ram is a bunch but with the way office apps and windows are eating more and more memory 2 gigs is a good amount to have. The performance of your hard drive will also make a big difference in the speediness of the system. SATA drives are awesome - scsi performance (or almost) at much less cost. Get a good mainboard, good hd's, and good memory (don't go el cheapo on the memory) and you'll love your new system.

by servhi-tech

RAM is important when you have a lot of program executing at the same time or when a program takes a lot of it. In your case, hard disk speed and space optimization will do the job. If I was you, I'll go for a box that have 1Gb of RAM, a SATA HD or SCSI (if you have the budget) and a good defragmentation and indexation mechanism (Executive Diskeeper schedule each night + Indexing service that catalog all your data). You can also set your computer to allow more ressource on system cache than on programs. To do so, go under Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Performance (Settings) -> Advanced -> Got 2 options to configure memory allocation. You should also set more than one page file and use a ratio of 2.5 X RAM. So if 1Gb.RAM = 2.5Gb. Swap file.

But still, if you have the money, get 2Gb. of RAM and you'll be safer...

by dwallace

Even thought jacking up your memory to 1GB would be okay. If you a expressing that you have one Access database of 1 GB or even 100 mb and they are very critical, considering SQL is a definate option to go to. In saying that, your hard drive is the slowest component on your system, so considering what you want to invest, get at least the 7200 RPM with a quick seek time like 8ms. If you have more bucks then get scsi 10,000 RPM with maybe RAID 1 for a little more data protection. IF not, then make sure you are performing regular disk and database maintenance.

by greyseal96

I agree with OZ_Media about Front Side Bus and Hard drive. RAM is important as well. Anywhere you can decrease bottlenecks is important. But also remember the video card. That will also cause a slow down if it either doesn't have enough memory, or it doesn't have a fast enough processor. The FSB, RAM, and HD help with the computations, but if the video card isn't too swell, you'll also experience slow down there as well.

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