If you are playing STO with integrated graphics and you only have 1 stick of 4GB RAM installed, then installing another 4GB of RAM can help improve performance a little bit; maybe ~10%.
Having only one stick of RAM installed means RAM will be operating in single channel mode (half speed). With two sticks of RAM installed the RAM will be operating in dual channel mode. Since integrated graphics relies on system RAM, if the RAM is operating faster then it is transferring data faster which helps increase performance a little bit. But as I stated before maybe ~10%.
Also, having 8GB of RAM can help improve load times as well. In the Advanced Options there is something called "Reduced file streaming" which will store more data in RAM so that the game access the hard drive or SSD less when it is turned on. If this option is turned on with only 4GB, then sooner or later you will likely start getting low memory errors and the game may crash.
Just make sure that if it's a preassembled computer? That the MOBO actually will support other ram sticks in greater size and what manufacturer as well. That info should you be able to find on the manufacturers site. [Those nasty designers knows how to TRIBBLE people.]
Onboard graphics will most likely only improve as little as 1-2% this way, as it runs over your CPU. The CPU load will be your concern and it's those settings ingame you should fundle through.
Not to mention, the game simply wasn't designed to run off onboard graphic.
Im usung a thinkpad w500. it has 512 mb dedicated memory. Im going to max it out with 8 GB RAM. I just found two programs also hogging cpu and memory. I hoping I can eleimante lag and game freezing.
Just make sure that if it's a preassembled computer? That the MOBO actually will support other ram sticks in greater size and what manufacturer as well. That info should you be able to find on the manufacturers site. [Those nasty designers knows how to TRIBBLE people.]
Onboard graphics will most likely only improve as little as 1-2% this way, as it runs over your CPU. The CPU load will be your concern and it's those settings ingame you should fundle through.
Not to mention, the game simply wasn't designed to run off onboard graphic.
He has a Thinkpad W500, he should be able to fit up to 8GB of PC2-8500 1066MHz DDR3 in there.
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Having only one stick of RAM installed means RAM will be operating in single channel mode (half speed). With two sticks of RAM installed the RAM will be operating in dual channel mode. Since integrated graphics relies on system RAM, if the RAM is operating faster then it is transferring data faster which helps increase performance a little bit. But as I stated before maybe ~10%.
Also, having 8GB of RAM can help improve load times as well. In the Advanced Options there is something called "Reduced file streaming" which will store more data in RAM so that the game access the hard drive or SSD less when it is turned on. If this option is turned on with only 4GB, then sooner or later you will likely start getting low memory errors and the game may crash.
Onboard graphics will most likely only improve as little as 1-2% this way, as it runs over your CPU. The CPU load will be your concern and it's those settings ingame you should fundle through.
Not to mention, the game simply wasn't designed to run off onboard graphic.
Its cheaper than buying a new computer.
He has a Thinkpad W500, he should be able to fit up to 8GB of PC2-8500 1066MHz DDR3 in there.