Do I need more RAM for my computer?

Hello. I need your honest opinion. Do I need more memory???

I am running 4GB (4096 MB) of RAM on my Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. I am planning to install and use high-end SONY video editing software to do some serious video editing. I know these kind of video editing software suites can draw serious system resources. I also plan to do some small tasks (like web browsing, checking e-mail on my Outlook, etc.) while some automatic video editing tasks are occurring at the same time at times.

Now, I know Windows 7 is very efficient with system resources. I took a look into the Windows 7's "Resource Monitor" and specifically "Memory" tab. I know by running more programs will increase the used or cached amount of RAM and reduce available RAM.

I tried to simulate the same experience the best I could. Now normally, I would not *all* of these *at once* typically, but I tried to demonstrate some sort of similarity. I decided to run:

- 4 well-known web browsers open in full screen.
- Outlook 2007 e-mail client in full screen.
- Word 2007 in full screen.
- play Windows Media Player music in full screen.
- run CCleaner's "Cleaner" in full screen.
- run a Webroot Internet Security Complete manual system scan.
- Windows Snipping Tool.

After all these running processes completed and leaving them still up and running even if they are idle for about 15 minutes, I received at max. 56% used physical memory. I attached a image file to this post for you to view.

A. What do you think about that? Do I need more memory if I plan to use a high end video editing software that uses a lot of system resources like memory while I am doing some basic routine tasks too?

B. Also, is it true that once all 100% of the physical memory is used, then the virtual RAM space from free hard drive space is then utilized?

C. I see there is a portion on the attached image that is named "Standby". If the "Free" portion is totally used up and more "Standby" is needed, is this when virtual RAM kicks in?

Please reply.

Thank you!


Some basic general stats of my system:
- Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit.
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 -- Yorkfield 2.83 GHz 1333 MHz processor.
- ASUS P5Q desktop motherboard.
- 4 GB of Corsair XMS2 2x2 GB DDR2 RAM.
- XFX Radeon HD5670 GDDR5 1GB RAM Graphics Card.

You will need more Ram. To do " serious video editing" you may need an extra 4 gigs or even 8 depending on how serious.

When you run out of ram "virtual" will be used (aka page file) but it is much, much slower so dont use it.

Your tests are not really valid for high end video editing. to guesstimate now you could open say you tube video's while running a malware scan and a search index.

Ram is cheap and you will wish you had if you dont.

Good Luck

montecarlo1987 said:

Hello. I need your honest opinion. Do I need more memory???

I am running 4GB (4096 MB) of RAM on my Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. I am planning to install and use high-end SONY video editing software to do some serious video editing. I know these kind of video editing software suites can draw serious system resources. I also plan to do some small tasks (like web browsing, checking e-mail on my Outlook, etc.) while some automatic video editing tasks are occurring at the same time at times.

Now, I know Windows 7 is very efficient with system resources. I took a look into the Windows 7's "Resource Monitor" and specifically "Memory" tab. I know by running more programs will increase the used or cached amount of RAM and reduce available RAM.

I tried to simulate the same experience the best I could. Now normally, I would not *all* of these *at once* typically, but I tried to demonstrate some sort of similarity. I decided to run:

- 4 well-known web browsers open in full screen.
- Outlook 2007 e-mail client in full screen.
- Word 2007 in full screen.
- play Windows Media Player music in full screen.
- run CCleaner's "Cleaner" in full screen.
- run a Webroot Internet Security Complete manual system scan.
- Windows Snipping Tool.

After all these running processes completed and leaving them still up and running even if they are idle for about 15 minutes, I received at max. 56% used physical memory. I attached a image file to this post for you to view.

A. What do you think about that? Do I need more memory if I plan to use a high end video editing software that uses a lot of system resources like memory while I am doing some basic routine tasks too?

B. Also, is it true that once all 100% of the physical memory is used, then the virtual RAM space from free hard drive space is then utilized?

C. I see there is a portion on the attached image that is named "Standby". If the "Free" portion is totally used up and more "Standby" is needed, is this when virtual RAM kicks in?

Please reply.

Thank you!


Some basic general stats of my system:
- Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit.
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 -- Yorkfield 2.83 GHz 1333 MHz processor.
- ASUS P5Q desktop motherboard.
- 4 GB of Corsair XMS2 2x2 GB DDR2 RAM.
- XFX Radeon HD5670 GDDR5 1GB RAM Graphics Card.

I read somewhere a long time ago, that you should buy as much computer as you can afford, and more than you think you'll ever need. Remember when 100MB of RAM was smokin'? If you are good with 4GB of RAM today, I guaranty that you'll need more in a year or two. Back in 2004 over the counter pc's were commonly loaded with 512MB of RAM. I was buying a new pc at the time, so I ordered my DELL with 1GB of RAM to extend the life of the useability of it. I just had to buy again after 7 years. This time I could have got by with 4GB, but got 8GB. I don't do games. :)

I have an HP laptop that I upgraded to Win7 x86 from Vista. I have 2 GB ram. Win7 sped everything up a lot, starting, opening programs, etc. Realistically what would increasing the ram to 4 GB do for it? The task manager always shows it is only using 50% of the ram. The only thing that is slow is explorer reading my usb drive folders that have a lot of files like my droid music folder with 1000 songs. I'm thinking that is a limitation of the usb speed and the external drive speed. I also realize that x86 will only read 3 to 3.5 GB of the 4 GB.

Just went from 2 GB 32 bit to 64 bit and 8 GB. That maxes my motherboard. Everything seems faster. I use Sony Vegas 10 to do some 5 to 10 minute mountain bike vid editing. All's very good.