Will more RAM make Parallels Desktop 6 (running XP) run faster?

[MasterHowl]

Hi there,

I bought Parallels 6 some time ago to use on my MacBook Pro to run XP, but have never used it because it's so slow! Both OS's become very laggy, and it's annoying to use.

Here are the specs:
2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT

If I upgrade my RAM to 8GB, will it run better?

Thanks!

 

[S.B.G]

Yes, it will run much better with more RAM. It will allow you to manage the RAM usage between OS X and XP to optimum levels.

 

[MasterHowl]

Yes, it will run much better with more RAM. It will allow you to manage the RAM usage between OS X and XP to optimum levels.

Thought so... just wanted to check on here first so I'm not wasting my money!

I mean, if it's too much money, I could always use Bootcamp, but not having to restart to get into XP is very appealing!

 

[S.B.G]

Get your extra RAM from OWC. Great prices and quality products.

 

[.md]

Hi there,

I bought Parallels 6 some time ago to use on my MacBook Pro to run XP, but have never used it because it's so slow! Both OS's become very laggy, and it's annoying to use.

Here are the specs:
2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT

If I upgrade my RAM to 8GB, will it run better?

Thanks!

It will depend, what version of XP are you running?

 

[vitzr]

8GB Will be ideal, you'll be very happy

 

[Phil Lee]

The jump from 4GB to 8GB made a difference in performance. I also found my upgrade to an SSD made a big difference to startup times and general performance (which is to be expected).

 

[S.B.G]

It will depend, what version of XP are you running?

That really doesn't matter. Likely the OP will get the 32-bit version and it will address up to 3.25GB of RAM.

The extra RAM on the host machine (Mac) is where the most gain in performance will be. It's the host that has to run two OS's. XP in this case only has to worry about itself.

 

[MasterHowl]

Get your extra RAM from OWC. Great prices and quality products.

Thanks I took it into my local Apple Retail Store and they fitted it for me (I'm too scared to do it myself...)

8GB Will be ideal, you'll be very happy

I'm very happy! Runs very smoothly

 

[Bunker]

Thanks I took it into my local Apple Retail Store and they fitted it for me (I'm too scared to do it myself...)



I'm very happy! Runs very smoothly

You will be much happier if you install 2nd HDD and move the virtual machine to 2nd HDD...

 

[ragnar77]

2nd HD?

How does one install this into a new MBP?