8GB RAM - is that overkill?

[raverbaby]

I'm currently upgrading my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to feature 8GB of 800mhz ram and the Q6600.

I was wondering whether 8GB of RAM is overkill. I'm a heavy multi-tasker on the pc, i have as many apps running simultaneously as possible. Also i tend to use a large bulk of resources hungry VST's and i would like to be able to use these heavy resource hogging applications with flowing ease.

I can afford 8GB of ram easily, but i don't want to buy it for the sake of it.

Any advice or responses will be appreciated

[TooNice]

I don't do audio recording/editing much, so perhaps your requirements are different. If I was to make a guess though, I'd say it is probably more than what you'll need. How about checking your current memory usage and buy accordingly? Or buy 2x2GB for now, and add an extra pair if you need more.

[w3bbo]

Running lots of applications simultaneously will eat your ram, even more so if you are using vista so the more the better imo. With ddr2 as cheap as it is now and with your needs I would get as much as possible.

[arthurleung]

32 Bit applications can only use a maximum of 2GB memory. Only if you need to run multiple ram-hungry audio programs you will need more than 4GB memory.

Depends on your "multi-task" is what kind of multi-task

For example 40+ MSN chat windows + 20 Firefox tabs + a couple of RDPs + webserver + x264 + video playing don't even use 1.5GB of memory.

I've tried 4GB memory about 2.5 years ago and it is quite useless, I don't even utilize 1GB back then.

First you need to know gow much memory are your programs using now. If you're not even hitting 2GB then 8GB will have minimal advantage.

But then of course if you have 8GB memory you could may be make a 5GB ram drive that can store your temporary audio data.

[slypie]

I'm currently upgrading my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to feature 8GB of 800mhz ram and the Q6600.

I was wondering whether 8GB of RAM is overkill. I'm a heavy multi-tasker on the pc, i have as many apps running simultaneously as possible. Also i tend to use a large bulk of resources hungry VST's and i would like to be able to use these heavy resource hogging applications with flowing ease.

I can afford 8GB of ram easily, but i don't want to buy it for the sake of it.

Any advice or responses will be appreciated

You will need to use a 64bit Operating System as a 32bit one can only use a maximum of 4GB RAM so it wouldn't even be seen by the OS and thats including your Video Card's RAM and I think Virtual Memory (Not sure about Virtual Memory, you would have to google it). 8GB is a lot IMHO as most people haven't migrated to 4GB yet. Personaly I think the realms of 8GB is when 64bit OS's are the norm. I have thought about this myself and think I'll stick to 4GB for now.

[markbrown83]

You will need to use a 64bit Operating System as a 32bit one can only use a maximum of 4GB RAM so it wouldn't even be seen by the OS and thats including your Video Card's RAM and I think Virtual Memory (Not sure about Virtual Memory, you would have to google it). 8GB is a lot IMHO as most people haven't migrated to 4GB yet. Personaly I think the realms of 8GB is when 64bit OS's are the norm. I have thought about this myself and think I'll stick to 4GB for now.

I thought 32bit only sees around 3.5 gig RAM...?

[slypie]

I thought 32bit only sees around 3.5 gig RAM...?

No it can use upto 4GB which is the limit for 32bit (supposidly Microsoft have a way around this but haven't implemented it so that people will move onto 64bit). You have to take into account that your graphics cards RAM is taken into account as well so if you have 4GB installed and a 512MB GPU then the system will only see around 3.5GB of RAM as the graphics card has taken up the rest.

[freddie]

check how much each program uses, does the computer slow down when you have too many open?

4gig is considerable but if you maulti task alot then why not 8gb? 4x2gb can be had for about £160 i think. thats not bad mes think. but that extra £80 is unnesessary if you'll only use 4gb. then you could get yourself a extra 500gb hard drive or something.

check your needs but if you need 8gb then you need it.

[nickaal]

You can launch a program, check how much paging file it uses and write it down.
Do that for all of yours heavy programs and make the sum of it.
Allow 1 extra gig for comfort and you'll have your target capacity.
Remember though if you use Vista, it will cache more programs if you have more ram.
So in the end a lot of ram will be used even before you start using your hungry programs.
But this ram would be available if the programs needed it.
Under XP I guess you could have 7.5GB free after startup!

[306maxi]

I'm currently upgrading my DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to feature 8GB of 800mhz ram and the Q6600.

I was wondering whether 8GB of RAM is overkill. I'm a heavy multi-tasker on the pc, i have as many apps running simultaneously as possible. Also i tend to use a large bulk of resources hungry VST's and i would like to be able to use these heavy resource hogging applications with flowing ease.

I can afford 8GB of ram easily, but i don't want to buy it for the sake of it.

Any advice or responses will be appreciated

Best thing to do is to buy 4gb (a sensible amount) and see if your PC ever uses near 100% of that and if so then buy more.

[thetechguy]

It's going to take a shoeless Arkansas boy to help you guys out with this one...

3.2GB is the sometimes the result of available RAM for Windows 32-bit

Honestly bro... I do a bit of recording myself. If you do recording and you multi-task... Go with 6-8GB... Esp. if your thinking of going with Vista. 64-bit is a must and the hardware support is available.

You can get 4GB for $35. So just double up on it...


The reason I say get plenty. When your doing live recording and some software in the background kicks up it can seriously mess with a track in recording progress. I'm talking about it can cause a hiccup in the final product that is pretty much permanent. So, you will have to do the whole track over again.

[Blackbadger]

I agree 8gb Is a sensible amount for a multitasking development environment.

Raw uncompressed audio especially with multiple layers/tracks can be a huge resource hog. having 8gb will allow you to have a large fast temporary working space.

However some consumer motherboards have problems with 8gb although they are supposedly supported. Sometimes having 2x4gb chips is better than 4x2gb or the other way around.. Post your motherboard details so we can check/advise.

[SammEl]

How times change in computing is quite unbeliveable really.

Remember maybe 1 - 2 years ago 2GB was overkill and you only needed it if you wanted to play Supreme Commander, heh, in a few years it will be "Scan do you tell those 10GB modules from Corsair?"

[rabbid]

How times change in computing is quite unbeliveable really.

Remember maybe 1 - 2 years ago 2GB was overkill and you only needed it if you wanted to play Supreme Commander, heh, in a few years it will be "Scan do you tell those 10GB modules from Corsair?"

A 10GB module would be unlikey! 4gb, 8gb and then 16gb modules I would imagine.

For the OP I remember reading an article a while back, maybe toms hardware, regarding 8GB usage. It seems there is an address overhead >4GB making a small percentage slowdown.
This was a while ago and I don't have the link to hand but worth researching if you are seriously contemplating 8GB.
I recall it was thought worthwhile only if you have real need of the extra memory otherwise you incurr a small slowdown for no benefit, and a little increased power consumption too of course.

[Singh400]

32 Bit applications can only use a maximum of 2GB memory. Only if you need to run multiple ram-hungry audio programs you will need more than 4GB memory.

x86-32 platform can use 3.5 - 3.75GB of RAM. It can see much more than that.

It can use more than 3.5 - 3.75GB of RAM but only when using PAE.

[NickNolan]

Depending on what you do, 8gb sometimes cannot be overkill, as the system would be using the RAM, rather then letting it go unused.