How Much RAM Do You Really Need?

[Boomslang]

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/13/how_much_ram_do_you_really_need/

How Much RAM Do You Really Need?
Jon Kullberg, Patrick Schmid
13 Dec 2005 11:48
 
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Memory

 
Conclusion
The bottom line is that there is not just one single answer to the question of how much system memory you need. However, to help you decide for yourself, we put together the following criteria:

512 MB
There are a few situations where having just 512 MB system memory in your computer can be enough.

If you run your games at low quality settings (small texture size) because you have an outdated CPU and graphics card, or because you prefer FPS over visual quality.
If you only use one application at a time.
If it is your grandmother's computer.
If you are buying a new computer, even if it's a laptop, opt for more than 512 MB - you will never regret it.

1 GB
Indeed, 1 GB of system memory will most likely be enough for the average user and for people.

It will allow you to play new games at their highest quality settings, given that you have an adequate processor and a powerful graphics solution.
You won't have to shut down non-critical applications when you want to play a game.
You can (accidentally) press the Windows button while in a game without dying from a stroke during the seconds it takes to read Windows back into system memory from the swap file.
If you go from 512 MB to 1 GB, you will notice the difference all the time. Starting up Photoshop while working with Word, an Internet browser, e-mail client and Acrobat Reader will go so much faster, and switching between the applications is a breeze.
2 GB
Still there are situations where more than 1 GB is what you want.

If you are a professional user, you might need more than 1 GB for really heavy applications.
If you intend to do heavy multitasking, especially if you have more than one CPU or CPU core. Running RAM intensive games such as World of Warcraft, downloading files via high speed FTP or encrypted protocols, Bittorrent or any P2P program; decompressing large archives and playing large size video files in a window or on second monitor all at the same time can max out your system memory pretty fast - if your CPU can handle it.

[Edited on 12-13-2005 by Boomslang]

[Mr_Anderson]

So do they happen to say anything about more than 2 Gigs?

[JollyRoger]

no since most windows users can't use above 2 gig.
but you'd know this if you'd a gone to the link....LAZY!

[Mr_Anderson]

I didn't see the link when I posted.

[Boomslang]

Tomshardware

more than 2gig only if you use photoshop working with pictures more than 250 gig in size. I found this out first hand

[ZWarrior]

Originally posted by JollyRoger
no since most windows users can't use above 2 gig.
but you'd know this if you'd a gone to the link....LAZY!

Actually, it is currently at 3.5GB for XP Pro, and will soon be 4GB when the next SP is released...( Oh crap, the NDA! ) or so I have heard.

[Mr_Anderson]

If the service pack is released....

[JollyRoger]

Originally posted by ZWarrior

Originally posted by JollyRoger
no since most windows users can't use above 2 gig.
but you'd know this if you'd a gone to the link....LAZY!

Actually, it is currently at 3.5GB for XP Pro, and will soon be 4GB when the next SP is released...( Oh crap, the NDA! ) or so I have heard.

I've still heard that Windows won't acctually adress the whole 3.5Gb and that it can still only address 2Gb.  But I will, look into it. It will see it now bur it can't use it.

[Edited on 12-14-2005 by JollyRoger]

[ZWarrior]

We are running systems here with 4GB in them.  They address all but 500MB.  They are very graphic intensive systems that work with satellite photos of very high resolution.

[JollyRoger]

huh.

[Mr_Anderson]

Originally posted by ZWarrior
We are running systems here with 4GB in them.  They address all but 500MB.  They are very graphic intensive systems that work with satellite photos of very high resolution.

I can vouch for that also.