Hi, Gerard,
Going to 2 GB will definitely help.
Also....drive speed (4200 rpm vs 5400 rpm vs 7200 rpm) is also a measurable factor. Are you running on a desktop or laptop? I've found that VS.NET will be sluggish on laptops with average speed drives.
By the way, which OS are you running? (I think you said XP, but I forget)
Kevin