PIII w/only 256MB RAM Okay for Giga?

[swiftdave777]

I\'ve recently aquired a PIII 600MHz that is maxed out at 256MB of RAM. I\'d like to use this as a dedicated Giga computer but I\'m wondering if I\'ll run into problems with it\'s RAM limitation? I\'d have to add a second HD and a new sound card if I go ahead and make it a Giga only machine so I\'d like to get a pretty good idea how it would work before I spend the dough.

Thanks for any help!

[Gav]

Maxed out? Put more RAM in!
I\'d definately suggest a lot more than just 256MB RAM Go for a full GB. You\'ll be REALLY glad you have the extra headroom. RAM is so cheap now you might aswell get lots.
I have 512MB and I frequently hit the ceiling only using 32 of GS\'s 64 possible MIDI channels.

Gav

[swiftdave777]

Thanks for the tip but it\'s MAXED OUT http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

You physically cannot put any more RAM in the machine. It has two slots which only hold up to 128MB DIMMs.

[LHong]

Get two new 256MB DIMMs, just about $40~$60 deal!

[swiftdave777]

Okay... please read my posts carefully. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/tongue.gif

It has two slots which only hold up to 128MB DIMMs. 256 DIMMs are not compatible.

I\'m new here, and I don\'t mean to be rude, but please read the post before you blindingly tell me I need more RAM. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

I\'m aware that ram is cheap and I should have a lot of it. I just want to know if Giga will work decently with only 256MB. I don\'t need the full 160 note polyphony and 64 channels. Apparently this must be a crazy idea because no one can handle the idea of having only 256MBs!! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif

Thanks for you\'re time. http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/cool.gif

[elle]

There\'s no harm in trying it out yourself.
See if 256 mb fit your needs. If not...change motherboard, processor and use at least 512mb. Oh what the hell, buy a new one for Christmas :-)

[KBub]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by swiftdave777:
I just want to know if Giga will work decently with only 256MB. I don\'t need the full 160 note polyphony and 64 channels. Apparently this must be a crazy idea because no one can handle the idea of having only 256MBs!! http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey Swiftdave.

I\'m using a PIII 667 with 256MB. I\'m part of the hated minority http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif that is able to run Gigastudio 160, multitrack audio and sequencer on this one humble machine with no snaps, crackles or pops. I keep all my libraries on a smoking 60GB disc.

Now here\'s the catch. You can get decent polyphony with 256MB. What you can\'t do is load a whack of different instrument files. So if you plan to play lots of notes on a small number of instruments, you might be ok with 256MB. If you plan to play a small number of notes on lots of instruments, you\'re probably out of luck. A lot of the people here use GS for big orchestral scores and 256MB is pretty much out of the question.

KB

[Bill]

> Apparently this must be a crazy idea because no one can handle
> the idea of having only 256MBs

That’s because it’s unimaginable that there’d be a PIII motherboard limited to 256MB. Who makes it?

To answer your original question, it should be fine. 256MB will only limit how many instruments you can load, not the polyphony.


[This message has been edited by Bill (edited 09-26-2001).]

[swiftdave777]

It\'s a HP Pavillion 8665C, not sure who made the Motherboard.

Thanks for all the replies.

[RaGe]

Actually my older machine was a P3 450 with 128Mb and I could get a very decent amount of voices out of it ( I don\'t remember choking the machine). I wasn\'t doing any orchestral stuff though. So yeah, I think you should be OK.