How much difference does having more RAM make?

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Forums › Android › How much difference does having more RAM make?

dman

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Topic # 96120 20-Jan-2012 17:38
I've got a Huawei U8150 IDEOS, which only has 256MB of RAM, and the way it struggles I'm sure having more memory would certainly help. However when I'm comparing various phones to make up my mind on the next one (I'm looking at these ones btw: pricespy.co.nz) I can't help but wonder how much of an extra difference (if any) does having 1,024MB or 768MB over 512MB of the others? Who I am: multi time Ironman finisher, University of Auckland graduate, Freelancer (mainly focused on website development, message me for work). twitter.com/TersoIT

Ragnor

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Reply # 571458 20-Jan-2012 21:15
It's the combination of more cpu, more ram and a dedicated GPU which is a quite significant increase Ideos U8150 has 533mhz cpu, 256MB ram and does not have a dedicated GPU (video chip) Ideos X5 has 800mhz cpu, 512MB ram and a GPU I got an X5 in the xmas/boxing day sales and the general performance over the U8150 is massive.

dman

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Reply # 571470 20-Jan-2012 21:40
Well of course when compared to my U8150 there is whole bunch of other factors in play. But I'm referring to one particular price band, with similar specs except for the different amounts of RAM then what impact does this have upon performance? Who I am: multi time Ironman finisher, University of Auckland graduate, Freelancer (mainly focused on website development, message me for work). twitter.com/TersoIT

Ragnor

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Reply # 571481 20-Jan-2012 22:02
It just it's quite a wide price range $390ish to $900ish so you have dual core and single core in there, I think dual core vs single core would make a bigger difference than 512MB vs 1GB. So if you're really willing to spend upto $900 I would cull out all the single core phones as a start. Then my pick personally would be the Samsung SII (dual core and 1GB ram), have played with friends one they are very nice phone.

joker97

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Reply # 571502 20-Jan-2012 23:30
or samsung galaxy nexus or samsung galaxy note or galaxy s3 (in a few months but probably well over $1000) Apologies for poor typing standards when on Samsung Galaxy S4

paulmilbank

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Reply # 571541 21-Jan-2012 08:52
More ram makes a huge difference. Even just having more free ram on the 8150 makes a bigger difference to speed than overclocking it. With my custom rom, I tuned the minfree values and it stopped all the random slowdowns and pauses on the default install. With a little overclock, the 8150 then really flies. If the processors are similar, look for the one with the most ram as Android is a multitasking OS and so the more ram you have available, the more processes can be stored and run smoothly without the system having to make choices to kill or swap processes out.

dman

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Reply # 573389 26-Jan-2012 02:08
Ragnor: It just it's quite a wide price range $390ish to $900ish so you have dual core and single core in there, I think dual core vs single core would make a bigger difference than 512MB vs 1GB. So if you're really willing to spend upto $900 I would cull out all the single core phones as a start. Then my pick personally would be the Samsung SII (dual core and 1GB ram), have played with friends one they are very nice phone. Ahh... I had a wide price range as I wasn't sure if I want to get a mid level phone ($500ish, give or take a hundred) or just keep my eye on the ones $800-$1k and wait it out until they drop further. joker97: or samsung galaxy nexus or samsung galaxy note or galaxy s3 (in a few months but probably well over $1000) They'd all be good. In particular the Galaxy Note I like the look of if it wasn't so pricey at the moment. Personally, Huawei P1 S is just around the corner... and I bet that will be packing the best power punch for your dollar at of them all. But I took a look at the Galaxy Note and had a good play around with it while getting my next phone instead (HTC Desire, just viewing it as temporary thing for now... as I've decided to go the path of waiting for these cutting edge big phones to come down in price so for now I'm just using this cheapo HTC Desire as a stop gap measure because I couldn't put up with the IDEOS for any longer at all :-P). Well... WHOA! It is quite big to be using with just one hand. Even with my hands (I'm a fair bit taller than average). Wonder if there is a keyboard in the market for the keyboard to only be in the bottom right hand quadrant (or the right side if you're left handed instead)? As kinda tricky to reach the "q" on the keyboard otherwise! Hopefully soon an entire custom ROM for just one handed operation across the phone. Anyway, if there isn't already I'm sure it will be soon and I'm going to wait a quarter or two anyway for the price of the Galaxy Note to come down significantly before I'd consider buying it (also, the Hauwei P1 S is another hot favourite for me which isn't quite yet out...). paulmilbank: More ram makes a huge difference. Even just having more free ram on the 8150 makes a bigger difference to speed than overclocking it. With my custom rom, I tuned the minfree values and it stopped all the random slowdowns and pauses on the default install. With a little overclock, the 8150 then really flies. I regret not messing around with the IDEOS more, overclocking it and custom ROMs but as it was my only phone perhaps I feared mucking around with it too much. Anyway, now it is surplus to my needs I certainly shall give it a good kick about! Who I am: multi time Ironman finisher, University of Auckland graduate, Freelancer (mainly focused on website development, message me for work). twitter.com/TersoIT

Linuxluver

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Reply # 573423 26-Jan-2012 08:46
dman: I've got a Huawei U8150 IDEOS, which only has 256MB of RAM, and the way it struggles I'm sure having more memory would certainly help. However when I'm comparing various phones to make up my mind on the next one (I'm looking at these ones btw: pricespy.co.nz) I can't help but wonder how much of an extra difference (if any) does having 1,024MB or 768MB over 512MB of the others? 512MB is adequate. 768MB is sweet. 1GB is sweeter. More RAM is always better. Always. No exceptions. :-) If you're not curious, your brain is already dying...if not dead. My blogs: Eyes Wide Open /Android Luver / 3D Luver / Truth Seeker Handhelds: LG Optimus 3D Max / LG Optimus 3D / HTC Sensation / VFNZ 845 / Samsung Galaxy Tab / Lenovo IdeaPad K1 32GB / iPod Touch PCs: Home made Linux boxen from parts mainly from PB Tech.