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Many users have asked me how well Windows Seven works with 512MB RAM. Before I continue, I want to state that although I do not recommend using 512MB RAM, it works… as long as you’re willing to be patient.

After conducting several non-scientific tests and after using Windows7, with 512MB RAM, for several hours on end, I can say it works well enough. Yes, you may get some slow downs and yes, everything isn’t instant; however, it works much better than Vista would on 512MB and nearly as good as XP (in my opinion.)

See my task manager screenshots for confirmation. During these shots, I am watching a 3min video with Windows Media Player, have two instances of IE running, and a couple of Windows Explorer windows open.

Windows 7 under Normal Use with 512MB RAM

512mb ram windowsp 7 01 Update: Windows 7 512MB Ram Under Normal Use

323MB RAM Running WMP and IE

512mb ram windowsp 7 02 Update: Windows 7 512MB Ram Under Normal Use

Low process usage under normal use



 Update: Windows 7 512MB Ram Under Normal Use

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Comments

  • Asbjørn Stokka

    Well, if its as good as XP with 512mb ram its not all that usefull … but then again its probably mostly a problem for laptops / tablets.

  • Danzen Binos

    I have installed Windows 7 Home Basic on my dad’s old HP laptop that has a Pentium M 1.6GHz CPU and 512MB RAM and I can say that it works much better than I expected it to. Since he uses it mainly for surfing the net, it isn’t much of a memory hog and it seems he’s really satisfied with it.

  • Danzen Binos

    I have installed Windows 7 Home Basic on my dad’s old HP laptop that has a Pentium M 1.6GHz CPU and 512MB RAM and I can say that it works much better than I expected it to. Since he uses it mainly for surfing the net, it isn’t much of a memory hog and it seems he’s really satisfied with it.

  • Danzen Binos

    I have installed Windows 7 Home Basic on my dad’s old HP laptop that has a Pentium M 1.6GHz CPU and 512MB RAM and I can say that it works much better than I expected it to. Since he uses it mainly for surfing the net, it isn’t much of a memory hog and it seems he’s really satisfied with it.

  • T Intellgence

    Sorry I am a noob… I have a question: Does it mean Win7 works better in 632mb ram than 512mb or same as using a 512mb ? O_o . Coz Mmy PC has 632mb ram

  • http://richr.org/ Rich

    The basic answer is yes, 632MB is better (although I suspect you have 640: 512 + 128.)

    More RAM is usually better. I say usually because you may have 512MB running at 667 Hz and 128MB running at 133Hz. As you would need to run both dimms at 133Hz, you'd usually be better off with just 512. I say usually to that because you could also scrutinize that statement for very specific scenarios where amount of memory is in more demand than memory speed.

  • Macmac2171

    hello i have a question. can windows 7 ultimate 32-bit run in my asus a8f notebook with these specs: intel centrino duo 1.66ghz, 512mb ram and 129 mb intel 945GM graphics?

  • http://richr.org/ Rich

    According to minimum requirements, no: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/…

    However, from experience, it will run, but not very well.

  • StDavid

    I have just installed Win7 Home Premium on a Toshiba Satellite 1410 – it has 512Mb mem a Celeron 1.6Ghz processor. I replaced the 20Gb HDD with a 160Gb and use Ultimate defrag and Registry Mechanic to tune it up. The 1410 came with XP, and with the basic recovery disk system ran OK. The problem for me came with the updates and particularly the service pack 2 – which seemed to make the laptop sluggish.

    Win 7 seems better – I get a more up to date operating system, and even after updates, the system is still better, though I can't prove it with figures, and I'm not going towaste my time reinstalling XP just to prove it. Since I use it as a backup, I appreciate only needing programs for one OS. I edit a newsletter and use Pageplus X4 for this and it runs this just fine. I also use Photoshop CS3 on my main PC but have not tried this on the Toshiba-a step too far !

    I have 85 Gb of Music on it and use it connected to an amp as a juke box/MP3 player

    The only difficulty I had was with the sound drivers, but that was soon sorted. It is not as snappy as my 3.2GHz main PC, but entirely useable. I am so pleased with it that I am installing a 320Gb HDD in it next week – because its worth it

  • http://richr.org/ Rich

    Home Premium should run fine (no need to use Windows 7 Basic); however, your mileage may vary.

  • Alone

    thanks for this now i can have a hope i am now downloading a windows lite version so now i can run it as same speed as xp :D

  • T-Dubbs

    Well documented. The internet needs more people like you who conduct these experiments and document them this cut and dry. Thank you 

  • JOEL HANES

    thanks for this message: i’ll run my w732 later when home: )

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000474872638 Oliver Jaranilla Cepeda

    I am running Windows 7 on a Del Desktop with Pentium 4 processor and just 512Mb of RAM. Did install most daily normaly used applications like Google Chrome, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, Oovoo. Ofcourse Aero cannot run. Watching youtube videos works fine, I can fairly watch even streamed videos too. For office application I use Open office and it works fairly okay.

  • Shane

    Ati Radeon x12xx, nvidia geforce go 6, 7, 8, Intel’s 9xx series…

    ;D

  • Cy Bugwadia

    it doesnt work, gives 0x0000000a5


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