Hey, Vista users! If you can't afford RAM or you don't know how to install it, you might want to try 'Readyboost'. A little program that came installed with your copy of Windows Vsta! You may not of known what it does, but here is a little information:

 

 

 

Scroll down to where you see 'ready boost'.

 

 

 

Windows ReadyBoost introduces a new concept in add-on system memory. You can use nonvolatile flash memory devices, such as universal serial bus (USB) flash drives, to improve performance without having to add memory "under the hood." The flash memory device serves as an additional memory cachethat is, memory that the computer can access much more quickly than it can access data on the hard disk drive.

readyboost isnt that great, I have read reviews that it doesnt give much of a "boost" when you already have 1gb of RAM and it is only noticeable when you have around 512mb which nobody should have when they have vista and the fact that not all flash-drives are compatible. Buying more sticks of RAM is much more easy to upgrade if you need more of it as finding the appropriate flash drive can be a hassle and the effects are much greater if you buy actual ram sticks.

My only concern is in using USB drives as RAM will have an impact on CPU as USB is controlled by the CPU (Not by hardware). So simply moving data on and off those devices on systems that are already slow will have quite a detrimental impact on performance :(.

It's honestly easier to buy more RAM than to use ReadyBoost. I've just upgraded my machine from 1GB to 3GB, and it only cost me £27, which is a similar price to most USB memory sticks.

You will only see any sort of performance increase on systems that are already severely lacking in RAM.

 

 

 

Unless you have 512mb or less RAM, you won't notice a difference, and it would be pointless putting Vista on a computer that bad anyway.

 

 

 

As Dracion said, RAM is so cheap nowadays and you get a far better performance boost buying actual sticks of RAM rather than using Readyboost.