x64 RAM - 4Gb or 8Gb?

I'd settle for 6GB :). If you do several layers on a 25 MPixel image Smart Object you can start using up the RAM, what with history (I like lots of history to recover from flights of image fancy ). Add local adjustments, fancy exposure curves, sharpening layer ... But yeah, routine picture post-production you can easily get by with 4.

It's just that a 64-bit OS with just 4GB seems, well, unjust ...

Pay no attention to me ... I'm rambling .

Edit: If you need to compromise budget-wise, go for the 1366 with less memory. Memory is easy to add to later, changing CPUs is a PITA. Check out the lowly 920 - it OCs like mad as cheap as it is.

PandaLover said:

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!

Tell me about it! That's why I'm trying to figure out to upgrade two complete systems and still end up with a 3rd leftover! If I build one new then the other is simply upgraded rather then seeing a second new!

The idea was to build one new to "replace" an older gift for someone in the family while at the same "replacing" the present case while keeping it onhand. The other older cases are being refurbished and simply given away at times for educational purposes.

The new gift case still wouldn't have to see 4gb even while prices have fallen sharply for memory. The present now seeing 4gb would be for running the 32bit side of life without worry of problems when climbing over that amount.

PandaLover said:

Don't tell me that...it's hard enough trying to resist the temptation at the moment

It's a real rush watching ACR load up 25 RAW files, each at something like 20MB, and have it done in just seconds!

PandaLover said:

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!

Right now, I'm running 7229 and 7264 (in a test environment) and I don't want to risk things pushing the CPU. Besides, I get all the performance I need at the standard speeds. I have, just once and for drill, done the OC thing up to about 3.6 and it was no sweat. When/if I need the speed later on, I'll do it, but right now everything is sweet!