LDSC: Re: Adding RAM to administrative computers

Ron Pam ls32795 at cableone.net
Thu Mar 15 14:48:11 CDT 2007


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Which model/version/speed RAM did you actually purchase ??



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chuck Johnson" <wa7jos at xmission.com>
To: <ldsclerks at MormonsToday.com>
Cc: "Chuck Johnson" <wa7jos at xmission.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 7:56 AM
Subject: LDSC: Adding RAM to administrative computers


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> After installing LanDesk, I noticed how much memory was being consumed by 
> the new firewall and virus protection.  My units are all Dell GX-270's 
> with 256MB of RAM (of which up to 128MB is for the video display).  After 
> booting up and logging in (no programs launched) Windows Task Manager 
> reports that about 225MB is in use.  After launching MLS and OO, usage 
> grows to about 325MB.  That means that I am into virtual memory and doing 
> a lot of swapping.  The stake computer was particularly sluggish, so I 
> decided to buy one 512MB upgrade kit ($65 from Crucial) and see what 
> happened.  Being frugal, I managed to upgrade 2 computers for the price of 
> one.  I pulled the 128MB sticks out of the stake computer and replaced 
> them with the 256MB pair.  Those 128MB sticks were added to a ward 
> computer bring that one up to 512MB too.  I installed the upgrade last 
> night and here are my initial findings.
>
> Cold boot to Cntl-Alt-Del prompt: Before 45sec, After, 25sec
> XP login to desktop (hourglass disappears): Before 53sec, After 24sec
> Desktop to MLS login: Before 43sec, After 13sec
> MLS login to MLS ready: Before 5sec, After 7sec - Note: this seems to vary 
> depending on how long it takes to fill in the login form.  I presume that 
> launch continues while the form is being filled out.  Total MLS launch 
> time didn't change much with the memory upgrade
> Launch OO: Before 22sec, After 17sec
> Close MLS and OO: Before very sluggish and variable - up to 1 min, After 
> 15sec
> Shutdown from empty desktop: Before 75sec, After 23sec
>
> I ran some reports in MLS.  I didn't notice much difference in the speed 
> of any particular item except for printing.  The time from clicking 
> "Print" to the printer dialog box appearing was cut in half after the 
> upgrade.  The big improvement seems to be in boot, close, and shutdown 
> times, which makes sense.  This can go quickly if everything is already in 
> resident memory.  If the OS has to go "find" everything that is swapped 
> out, that's going to take some time.  This is most evident on MLS close 
> when we know a backup is being made.  I was pleasantly surprised at the 
> boot and shutdown times being cut in half too.  The other nice benefit is 
> the absence of "narcolepcy" while switching tasks.  Is the improvement 
> worth $65?  That's a judgment call I'm not ready to declare yet.  I think 
> I'll let these two upgraded machines run for about a month and then decide 
> if it's worth another $250 to upgrade everybody.  I suspect the best 
> argument for an upgrade is the stake machine.  Since it has to handle 
> larger databases, it was noticeably slower than the ward machines before 
> the upgrade, especially the MLS close time.
>
> Chuck Johnson
>
>
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