How Much Ram Do You Really Need?

[Cyber.Logan]

Came across this article on the net, thought I'd share with the rest.

The Need To Invest In 2 GB Of RAM Is Not Marketing Hype

How much RAM does your PC have? If you run Windows XP, it is probably in the range of 512 MB to 1 GB. Older Windows versions will do the job with less than that, but as soon as you execute demanding applications or more than one application at a time, anything below 512 MB will likely translate into performance bottlenecks.

Of course, the more RAM you have, the better off you are - but how much memory do you really need?

Multiple software threads that run all at once every time you boot up your PC continue to proliferate. Multitasking software includes what we really need, such as anti-virus tools or firewall software, or useful programs to which we have all grown accustomed that permanently run in the background until they need our direct attention. Most users, for example, have their email client and browser permanently available. Instant messengers such as AIM, ICQ MSN or YIM increasingly pop up on a growing number of desktops, while a media player plays music while you work. And all of these consume some memory, leaving fewer resources available for applications that you want to launch.


Memory Matters

Many believe that one gigabyte of RAM is enough for virtually any non-professional application scenario. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Have you ever launched a recent gaming title with lots of resource-hungry applications already launched? Everything might seem fine as Windows relocates the applications' memory data to the swap file on your hard drive. However, as soon as you hit a Windows key accidentally, the OS will hectically try to exchange the gaming data in the main memory by the application data that was swapped before


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If you run your games at low quality settings (small texture size) because you have an outdated CPU and graphics card, or because you prefer FPS over visual quality.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.



Link to the full version of the above excerpt :
How Much RAM Do You Really Need? | Tom's Hardware


its old but it helps

[saltynay]

as I always say

512mb = general use with xp
1gb = general use with vista
2gb = gaming
3gb = media editing
4gb = CAD
8gb = small server
32gb = moderate server a couple of hundred virtual machines
128gb = huge server with hundreds of virtual machines

[Cyber.Logan]

yepppp

[gurusan]

yup except now 4gb is showing to be quite beneficial in newer games.

[saltynay]

yeah but you will have to have 64bit to use it

[gurusan]

Originally Posted by saltynay

yeah but you will have to have 64bit to use it

dern straight

[jungleland]

Originally Posted by saltynay

yeah but you will have to have 64bit to use it

huh???

[dhgunit]

Originally Posted by saltynay

as I always say

512mb = general use with xp
1gb = general use with vista
2gb = gaming
3gb = media editing
4gb = CAD
8gb = small server
32gb = moderate server a couple of hundred virtual machines
128gb = huge server with hundreds of virtual machines

Thats just about right I would say.

[vernong1992]

Originally Posted by saltynay

as I always say

512mb = general use with xp
1gb = general use with vista
2gb = gaming
3gb = media editing
4gb = CAD
8gb = small server
32gb = moderate server a couple of hundred virtual machines
128gb = huge server with hundreds of virtual machines

nuff' said

[b1gapl]

Couldn't have said it better, saltynay.