RAM Sweet Spot?

[Fortress]

Hi there. I'm currently building a new PC to replace my old Core 2 Quad-based machine, which has 2GB of RAM and a GTX 650. I have already bought some of the parts, such as the case, power supply, and the other essentials. The parts that I didn't purchase yet is the processor (based on this topic: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/360183-pentium-g3258-anniv-edition-or-amd-a8-5600k-apu/),the motherboard (of course, it will be based on the processor socket), and the RAM.

 

I'm here to ask you a question, what is the sweet spot for RAM? Some say it's 4GB, some say it's 8GB. I don't understand. 

[79wjd]

It depends for what. For gaming or anything power-user-y, 8gb is usually the sweet spot. If it's just random general use 4gb is enough. If you're doing serious/professional editing than 16gb+.

Just a random question, why aren't you using that GTX650? The only reason to get an APU is if you don't already have a better gpu to use (which the 650 definitely is).

[Jade]

8GB DDR3-1600.

[gojira]

Couple years ago, it was considered 4gb to be the standard for gaming. Now, it it highly recommended to have at least 8gb of memory. However, since it's DDR2, 16 gigs should be like half the cost of 16 gigs of DDR3.

[slightlyjaded]

Hi there. I'm currently building a new PC to replace my old Core 2 Quad-based machine, which has 2GB of RAM and a GTX 650. I have already bought some of the parts, such as the case, power supply, and the other essentials. The parts that I didn't purchase yet is the processor (based on this topic: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/360183-pentium-g3258-anniv-edition-or-amd-a8-5600k-apu/),the motherboard (of course, it will be based on the processor socket), and the RAM.

 

I'm here to ask you a question, what is the sweet spot for RAM? Some say it's 4GB, some say it's 8GB. I don't understand. 

IMO for 64 bit windows 16GB is the sweet spot for modern programs. If you're running the 32 bit OS however you can get away with 8GB. Just remember free advice is worth what you pay for it.

[Jade]

If you're running the 32 bit OS however you can get away with 8GB.

That makes absolutely no sense. 32 bit OS' can only address up to 4GB of RAM. That's literally 4GB that can't be used.

[Fortress]

Just a random question, why aren't you using that GTX650? The only reason to get an APU is if you don't already have a better gpu to use (which the 650 definitely is).

 

I am using the GTX 650. The reason why I'm going for the Pentium in my previous topic is because the APU will not benefit from the GPU, since they're from different companies, and you can't do a CrossFire configuration with it. And it's a bit cheaper than the APU.

[Fortress]

IMO for 64 bit windows 16GB is the sweet spot for modern programs. If you're running the 32 bit OS however you can get away with 8GB. Just remember free advice is worth what you pay for it.

 

8GB with a 32-bit machine? I thought 32-bit machines can only address 4GB?

[79wjd]

8GB with a 32-bit machine? I thought 32-bit machines can only address 4GB?

And now you know how reliable of a source he is.

[Swndlr]

games - 8GB @1600/1866

editing/video work - 16GB @1600/1866

[Fortress]

 However, since it's DDR2, 16 gigs should be like half the cost of 16 gigs of DDR3.

Not really. Retailers now crank up the price when they sell DDR2 Memory. Like for example, I tried to look for DDR2 RAM once in a local parts retailer. I asked how much is their 16GB DDR2 module, it's at $120. I asked how much is their 16GB DDR3 module, it's being sold. at $80. I asked them how come DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3, they said DDR2 was no longer manufactured so they have to raise the price to keep their stocks in an acceptable amount.

 

(Off-topic: That name seems a bit familiar. I think I found someone in Minecraft with the same name. How odd.)

[Ostwind]

16Gb is a good middle ground, enough to do things like RAM caching and small RAM disks but not too expensive. 8Gb still works for almost anyone though.

[slightlyjaded]

8GB with a 32-bit machine? I thought 32-bit machines can only address 4GB?

While windows natively adrresses only 4GB, I have seen improvements with 8GB, I think due to this little nugget directly from Microsofts' page

 

"Limits on physical memory for 32-bit platforms also depend on the Physical Address Extension (PAE), which allows 32-bit Windows systems to use more than 4 GB of physical memory."

That's the TL:DR version, anyone who want's the source can find it here.

 

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx

 

For anyone having a few tabs, and a few programs open I'd recomend 8GB. If you shut everything down to open a new program, well what you want is up to you.

[Fortress]

It depends for what. For gaming or anything power-user-y, 8gb is usually the sweet spot. If it's just random general use 4gb is enough. If you're doing serious/professional editing than 16gb+.

 

 

Will 8GB be sufficient for running older operating systems on VirtualBox and DOSBox? Because that's what I normally do with my old C2Q Q6600 with 2GB of RAM, and I can tell you that it does not work well. It either runs very slowly, or just straight up crashes.

[slightlyjaded]

Will 8GB be sufficient for running older operating systems on VirtualBox and DOSBox? Because that's what I normally do with my old C2Q Q6600 with 2GB of RAM, and I can tell you that it does not work well. It either runs very slowly, or just straight up crashes.

dosbox will run on a potato. I think it's biggest problem is slowing down the processing of a modern computer enough that what it outputs looks like it did on the older computer that the program you're running is designed for.

[FellTheSky]

4gbs is not enough, i was testing the other day and GTA V was almost unplayable with 4 gbs, frame drops all over the place. The same goes for Planetside 2 and dying light. Both unplayable on 4 gbs

GTA V was using around 5gbs, while planetside and dying light were both slightly above 6 gbs

[gojira]

Not really. Retailers now crank up the price when they sell DDR2 Memory. Like for example, I tried to look for DDR2 RAM once in a local parts retailer. I asked how much is their 16GB DDR2 module, it's at $120. I asked how much is their 16GB DDR3 module, it's being sold. at $80. I asked them how come DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3, they said DDR2 was no longer manufactured so they have to raise the price to keep their stocks in an acceptable amount.

 

(Off-topic: That name seems a bit familiar. I think I found someone in Minecraft with the same name. How odd.)

 

Ah, well, I was looking at eBay prices. However, I don't see any Intel compatible DDR2, which probably explains the prices you seeing from the manufacturer. For AMD processors, it appears the price for 16gb is about $50.

 

Actually, I have a different Minecraft username. Gojira translates into Godzilla in Japanese.

[GlassBomb]

8GB is the minimum these day, I'd say.

4GB is much too easy to use up. And 8GB is enough for the majority of what most people will do on their computers.

I always suggest getting a single stick of 8GB over two 4GB ones. Since it leaves you with more future options.

[79wjd]

Ah, well, I was looking at eBay prices. However, I don't see any Intel compatible DDR2, which probably explains the prices you seeing from the manufacturer. For AMD processors, it appears the price for 16gb is about $50.

 

Actually, I have a different Minecraft username. Gojira translates into Godzilla in Japanese.

There's no such thing as a processor specific RAM (at least in the mainstream/consumer hardware). Any non-ECC DDR2 ram will work just fine with any processor that requires DDR2 (the only compatibility issue is laptop/desktop memory).

 

 

8GB is the minimum these day, I'd say.

4GB is much too easy to use up. And 8GB is enough for the majority of what most people will do on their computers.

I always suggest getting a single stick of 8GB over two 4GB ones. Since it leaves you with more future options.

With a board that only has two ram slots I agree, but on a board with four, 4gb sticks are fine -- the likelyhood that 32gb of RAM will become required for the average power user in the lifespan of DDR3 or it's associated hardware is slim to none. 

[kronickiller]

8 for 1080p gaming

[msvelev]

Couple years ago, it was considered 4gb to be the standard for gaming. Now, it it highly recommended to have at least 8gb of memory. However, since it's DDR2, 16 gigs should be like half the cost of 16 gigs of DDR3.

If I understood you correctly you said that DDR2 is cheaper than DDR3, however that's not the case. DDR2 is much more expensive nowadays

[gojira]

If I understood you correctly you said that DDR2 is cheaper than DDR3, however that's not the case. DDR2 is much more expensive nowadays

 

 

If you use websites such as eBay you can find DDR2 for slightly less than DDR3. However, as I corrected in a more recent post, 16 gigs ddr2 is literally nonexistent lol

[msvelev]

If you use websites such as eBay you can find DDR2 for slightly less than DDR3. However, as I corrected in a more recent post, 16 gigs ddr2 is literally nonexistent lol

Second hand DDR2 might be cheaper, but I had to buy some for an old system, and it was WAY more expensive than I anticipated.

And yes 16 GB DDR2 either doesn't exist, or is strictly on server territory

[Delusional Phil]

- snipidy snip snip -

Like the above has said ... Gaming = 8GB 

Heavy rendering and projects ? 16 GB is the bare minimum in my opinion ...