Thank you so much, Simon! The application is actually Hyperion Planning and my experience with 8 Gbs on Quadcore Core-i7 Laptop (Yes, I know, not the ideal workstation of a server) made it clear to me that I needed at least 16Gb. So that's what I currently have.
Just to clarify the nature of the module; on an optimum spec computer, which is comprised of a realiable Xenon Processor and 16GB ram, the services finish starting up in 15 minutes. In my specs, which easily equates with the server, it takes upto 45 minutes 
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I'm beginning to consider whether or not it is a matter of RPM. I have 500gb 72x rpm harddrive. Its very standard. Perhaps I should consider SSD's.
However, you draw a thought provoking point. My processor does not have Hyperthreading. Now do forgive the silly question; is it really that much of a difference? I'm well aware it improves the trafficiking of processes, but even as I start the services, I'm able to keep it running while allowing my nephew to play games in the background. The computer does not usher a peep.