Recommendations for Hardware Upgrade(s)?

[forn03]

Here's the deal:

I've got a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop, P4 2.40 GHz, 256 MB of RAM, w/ an ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 PCI graphics card

I know this is obviously not the best set up for the game and that laptops are not built for gaming, but it's what I've got. The game runs, but after a little while starts slowing up a little. How much will more RAM realistically help? Any comments appreciated!

Thanks!

[Smokin_Joe]

I think another 256mb would help out a lot. It would eliminate a lot of the page file usage that you're probably getting and speed up your game.

[forn03]

I was thinking that would probably help (I know upgrading RAM helped on my old computer for Triple Play '99-'01... lol) and I wasn't planning on being able to shell out the $ for a new video card (though it certainly would make the game prettier). Thanks a ton!

[capa]

The 3 single best things you can do for any computer used for gaming:

1) more RAM - as much as you can afford or your system will handle (min 512)

2) good videocard - your choices may be restricted due to playing on a Laptop.

3) turn off all background pgms running and virus protectors - they take up alot of resources and memory

C

[forn03]

I've been checking out at least another 256 RAM anyway, and I thought about springing for 512 (the system can take 1024) but it would be another $40-$50 for 512, so I'm thinking no to that for now. But I'll definately take your suggestions into consideration. Thanks!