x64 RAM - 4Gb or 8Gb?

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 RC Build 7232 x64
       #1

    x64 RAM - 4Gb or 8Gb?


    Hello all,

    This is the first time for me to be running a 64 bit system. I currently have 4Gb of RAM and I was wondering if people here could see a major difference having 8Gb of RAM?

    I mostly use my PC for games and for photo editing.

    Thanks,
    Mark
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    ram issue


    PandaLover said:
    Hello all,

    This is the first time for me to be running a 64 bit system. I currently have 4Gb of RAM and I was wondering if people here could see a major difference having 8Gb of RAM?

    I mostly use my PC for games and for photo editing.

    Thanks,
    Mark
    If you do hard gaming or big photo editing you will notice a difference. Is it HUGE no not really but substanial and you will notice it. If you can aford it go for it

    Ken
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 RC Build 7232 x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Great, thanks Ken!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #4

    You wouldn't notice any real difference for pc gaming or photo editing while you would for things like Cad projects that can easily climb over the 4gb mark or internse graphics, and other larger memory intensive softwares. The one thing to know about the 64bit kernel is that it uses the same memory more efficiently then seen with the 32bit. Less swapping out to the drive and more seen in the active ram.
      My Computers


  5. DJG
    Posts : 1,008
    Windows 7 RTM x64
       #5

    Depending on your workflow and post processing / cataloguing preferences, I would take 8GB over 4 for photo work, unless all you're doing is loading JPEGs from the card, removing red eye and uploading to Smug-Smug . OTOH, the graphics card is much less of an issue there regardless. Current heavy photo software like Photoshop and Lightroom make excellent use of memory and multiple cores.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 RC Build 7232 x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Well I do have a nice camera and I always shoot Raw, but at the same time it's not like I'm ever trying to batch process a thousand at a time or anything like that. I do like post processing in PS CS3, but I only ever work on one pic at a time, so I think 8gb would be a bit overkill. As for cataloging, I'm a bit disorganised where that's concerned!

    My current motherboard and CPU are getting on a bit and I'm still on the LGA775 socket, so I might wait and save my money for when I move up to LGA1366 and DDR3 RAM.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 173
    Win7 Ultimate, x64
       #7

    Working small numbers of RAWs through ACR, 4GB will be more than sufficient. I was working up to about 10 from a 50D (about 20MB per) with just 2GB and it was working "OK". With the memory upgrade (and CPU :) ), things are much better.

    Bottom line, 4GB should be sufficient to your task(s) as you have outlined them.

    As for moving on to the 1366 and DDR3 - it's like drugs, you won't believe the difference!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 RC Build 7232 x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    srq2625 said:
    As for moving on to the 1366 and DDR3 - it's like drugs, you won't believe the difference!
    Don't tell me that...it's hard enough trying to resist the temptation at the moment

    When I did my build I was originally going to get an i7 and an Asus Rampage Extreme II mobo....then I hesitated and thought "I don't need that!" so then I thought I'll get a Quad Q9550, overclock the hell out of it and put it on a Rampage Formula....then I hesitated again and couldn't make up my mind, so I stuck with my C2D on a P5K SE.

    I'm gonna hold off on buying any more DDR2 RAM and wait until I can get a 1366.

    I see you haven't oc'd your i7 yet...how come? I read that you can get them up to 4Gh easy!! Are you waiting to get a good cooler? I just got a Coolermaster V8 and it is amazing!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8,375
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
       #9

    Besides having plenty of ram you also have to look at the demands placed for cpu time with any operation that tasks the cpu. This is one reason I hope to have a new build ready by the time 7 is out where that will be running the 64bit 7 for the most part.

    I could simply swap stuff out of this one while there wouldn't any place for the present hardwares all that would replace on another older build still in use for an upgrade there. Instead two new cases one being a gift and upgrade out of the old one would see this one set aside for running the old stuff or simply a spare beater made out of it.

    The new replacement case strictly running the 64bit 7 would then probably see 8gb there being the primary build for things like video capturing dvr from security cameras and other things like 2D/3D Cad. Other then that 4gb is generally quite adequate.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 RC Build 7232 x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Night Hawk said:
    The new replacement case strictly running the 64bit 7 would then probably see 8gb there being the primary build for things like video capturing dvr from security cameras and other things like 2D/3D Cad. Other then that 4gb is generally quite adequate.
    Yeah, see I don't do anything like that, so I think for me I'll just get 4Gb of DDR3 RAM when the time comes to upgrade the CPU and mobo..that'll be expensive enough!
      My Computer


 
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