A good rule of thumb. Load up your application(s), and start using them. If you notice lot's of disk activity (the hard drive light is flashing a lot, and little tick, tick, tick noises) while you are working, you need more RAM. Expect disk activity when you save files. But if you see constant activity, no matter what you are doing, you need more RAM. And if you're running Windows and have a buttload of little icons in your tray (the little thing that the clock is in on the start bar), then you should think about uninstalling some of that nonsense. A bunch of little background apps can suck your memory dry. -Nik