Could RAM be slowing down java/flash on my Vista Laptop (specs included)?

Question

I Have a Toshiba Satelite A215-S4747 laptop...

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/toshiba-satellite-a215-s4747/4505-3118_7-32517988.html?tag=sub

It runs vista.
It has 1GB RAM.

As pitiful as this sounds, I play a simple 3D game online (nothing extravagent or high-graphics or super-fast gameplay. The game is www.Runescape.com) and it is actually quite choppy if I'm playing it while running ANY other simple program, such as AIM (Instant messenger). That's it - Nooo other programs. I've even uninstalled and disabled all the default extra junk programs.

Could the 1GB RAM really be causing the slowdown? I thought low RAM just slows down multi-tasking with multiple programs... but when all I have is ONE internet window, and ONE Instant messenger (not even actively IMing anyone)...I hardly call that multi-tasking.

Looking at my specs from the link above, could it really be the RAM? The video card looks great, so I don't think it's that...

Any ideas???

Answer 1

If you notice a lot of hard disk activity during the application it could be your RAM. The way to know for sure is to use PEFRMON (start run perfmon) and check for page faults/second. If they spike when you are playing your flash game then it is ram.



Most people/companies I knwo recommend 2GB for a vista laptop.

Answer 2

The more RAM you have the better the performance, and it is recommended that you have 1Gig of Ram or more for Vista. So seeing as Vista has been having lots of issues, I'd say your problems are more with Vista then your Ram. You might want to see if you need to download any drivers updates for your computer, go to your computers manufacturing web site and click on a link for software and driver downloads.

Answer 3

The operating System also is using RAM, as well as any startup programs or processe's that you may have running in tandum with the operating system.. 1gb of ram running vista is not enough.. You should upgrade to at least 2 gb.. which is what I'm running vista on right now.. even at that I use around %35 of ram just idling.. Vista is a hog.. best to just give it what it wants... RAM !! :-)

Answer 4

I got a free laptop from this site, I highly recommend it!