Memory sizing- Guidelines

zay

Airborne Ranger for life
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Microsoft has produced a document that provides guidelines for making a good assessment of the memory usage, and what to consider when deciding how much memory you need for your w7 system. I hope this helps. Note: don't shoot the messenger, lol.
 

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My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gigabyte
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU
Intel Core(TM)2 Quad- Q9550, 2.83GHz
Motherboard
G31M-ES2L
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD4600
Sound Card
On Board:
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer AL2223W, Acer AL1916
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050, 1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
160GB
350GB
250GB
250GB
PSU
600W
Case
Cooler Master
Keyboard
Microsoft Laser 6000
Mouse
Logitech Optical Trackman
Internet Speed
1.5MB
Other Info
I am also running a quasar gamatron flux capacitor with twin pulse tronic phasers......jk, I have no such stuff.
I don't need no technical paper to know how much memory I need... the more the better. imo. :D

4GB minimum, 8 GB recommended is my opinion. 8 GB cost you $ 110. so why are people still analyzing how much they need, and if 1 Gb or 2 GB are enough? Most better laptops come with 4GB already.

If cost really was an issue I could understand the penny-pinching and analyzing. I consider an SSD and really want to have just enough because each GB costs me much money. With an HDD I don't even think about size anymore. The same with RAM.

W7 (and vista for that matter) need more RAM than XP, but also use it much better. The more they have the more they can use to speed up your daily life.

The only limit to RAM (imo) is that 2 GB modules are cheap, 4 GB modules very expensive) So my motherboard is the limit (with 4 slots and cheap 2 GB RAM I'm limited to 8 GB etc.).

At work I used to have 1 GB and the PC crashed all the time with autoCAD. Once my 3 years were over (IT replaces them every 3 years) I got one with 4 GB (after harassing them since their standard PC configuration only increased to 2 GB). with the time I wasted with a slow and crashing PC and being frustrated, with that value (incl. overtime pay, tax etc.) they could have bought me the biggest gaming rig in the universe.

I'm sure our IT guys are exactly the people who read those papers and "optimize" the PC to our needs (and needs in the next 3 years). So they saved $ 20 per PC, great.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homemade
OS
W7 Pro 64
CPU
Intel i3 3220 @ 3.3 GHz
Motherboard
ASRock H77M
Memory
2x8GB DDR 3 1600 Kingston
Graphics Card(s)
onboard
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
two 21" LCD
Hard Drives
128 GB Samsung 830
PSU
OCZ400MXSP
Cooling
Stock
Internet Speed
DSL
...I'm sure our IT guys are exactly the people who read those papers and "optimize" the PC to our needs (and needs in the next 3 years). So they saved $ 20 per PC, great.
25,000 units @ $20 per unit is not worth the effort, IMO either.
 
25,000 units @ $20 per unit is not worth the effort, IMO either.

Are you kidding? $500,000 is never enough to save on manufacturing costs! Why do you think they always sold XP laptops wiith only 256mb when everyone else prior to Vista's release was already running 1-2gb?!

When Vista came out that forced manufacturers to start increasing the amount of memory prepackaged systems come with explaining the sudden 256-512mb to 3-4gb now being seen. Customer Complaints!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom builds = 2
    OS
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz - 965 2nd remote pc
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4-Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600 1.5v 16gb - Hyper X Fury 8gb 2nd
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 5750 1gb - MSI HD Radeon 6450 on mini tower
    Sound Card
    Creative Labs X-Fi Xtreme Audio P - Realtek onooard 2nd case
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW199T-P 19" HP 2082a Main-HP 2082a 20" remote pc
    Screen Resolution
    Asus 1440x900 - HP 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Black 1TB HD per OS W7, W10, and pending W11 presently on 500gb OS Drive - Pending Triple 1TB HDs for Spanned Storage/backup volume
    Single 2TB external USB enclosure, single 1TB System 7 Host/Boot drive, Pending 8TB external HD for system image b
    PSU
    Corsair 750TX - primary / Corsair CX600 - second
    Case
    Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible / NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900A
    Keyboard
    AZIO L70 Backlit Letters Gaming - ONN Cordless/USB
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 Programmable, Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    30mbps upgrade - primary hard wired - mini tower usb WiFi
    Antivirus
    GFI VIPRE Internet Security 2014 on W7 2016 beta on W10,
    Browser
    Cyberfox, WaterFox 64bit FF variants, FireFox x64, Pale Moon
    Other Info
    Accomdata fan cooled usb 2.0 PIDE/Sata II, III external enclosure.
    Sambient usb/eSata PATA/Sata II, III external enclosure.
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    CUSTOM ASSEMBLY
    OS
    W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Deneb 3.6ghz - 965
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X Fury 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 6450 DVI Output
    Sound Card
    Realtek onooard Creative or Other separate PENDING
    Monitor(s) Displays
    VIZIO 32" LCD TV Separate LCD Pending
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 500GB OS Host/Boot WD Green 1TB Storage/Backup
    PSU
    Corsair 600W - THERMALTAKE 600W spare case
    Case
    NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Twin 120mm Top Fans - 240mm Side Cover
    Keyboard
    ONN Cordless/USB Logitech Cordless
    Mouse
    ONN USB/Cordless - Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    DSL 5G
    Browser
    MS Edge, FireFox, WaterFox x64, FireFox Nightly
    Other Info
    OS Testing-Remote Access to Main TeamViewer
My perspective is not from manufacture or sale, but from deployment.
 
That has the largest actual bearing on things in the real world! :D

Meanwhile I meant to ask zay something here about what MS page he found the document on? A link for the page itself at MSDN or Technet to look over that section would be a plus here.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom builds = 2
    OS
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz - 965 2nd remote pc
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4-Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600 1.5v 16gb - Hyper X Fury 8gb 2nd
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 5750 1gb - MSI HD Radeon 6450 on mini tower
    Sound Card
    Creative Labs X-Fi Xtreme Audio P - Realtek onooard 2nd case
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW199T-P 19" HP 2082a Main-HP 2082a 20" remote pc
    Screen Resolution
    Asus 1440x900 - HP 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Black 1TB HD per OS W7, W10, and pending W11 presently on 500gb OS Drive - Pending Triple 1TB HDs for Spanned Storage/backup volume
    Single 2TB external USB enclosure, single 1TB System 7 Host/Boot drive, Pending 8TB external HD for system image b
    PSU
    Corsair 750TX - primary / Corsair CX600 - second
    Case
    Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible / NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900A
    Keyboard
    AZIO L70 Backlit Letters Gaming - ONN Cordless/USB
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 Programmable, Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    30mbps upgrade - primary hard wired - mini tower usb WiFi
    Antivirus
    GFI VIPRE Internet Security 2014 on W7 2016 beta on W10,
    Browser
    Cyberfox, WaterFox 64bit FF variants, FireFox x64, Pale Moon
    Other Info
    Accomdata fan cooled usb 2.0 PIDE/Sata II, III external enclosure.
    Sambient usb/eSata PATA/Sata II, III external enclosure.
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    CUSTOM ASSEMBLY
    OS
    W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Deneb 3.6ghz - 965
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X Fury 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 6450 DVI Output
    Sound Card
    Realtek onooard Creative or Other separate PENDING
    Monitor(s) Displays
    VIZIO 32" LCD TV Separate LCD Pending
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 500GB OS Host/Boot WD Green 1TB Storage/Backup
    PSU
    Corsair 600W - THERMALTAKE 600W spare case
    Case
    NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Twin 120mm Top Fans - 240mm Side Cover
    Keyboard
    ONN Cordless/USB Logitech Cordless
    Mouse
    ONN USB/Cordless - Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    DSL 5G
    Browser
    MS Edge, FireFox, WaterFox x64, FireFox Nightly
    Other Info
    OS Testing-Remote Access to Main TeamViewer
25,000 units @ $20 per unit is not worth the effort, IMO either.

25,000 units @ 20 hours of work time lost every year for 3 years
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homemade
OS
W7 Pro 64
CPU
Intel i3 3220 @ 3.3 GHz
Motherboard
ASRock H77M
Memory
2x8GB DDR 3 1600 Kingston
Graphics Card(s)
onboard
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
two 21" LCD
Hard Drives
128 GB Samsung 830
PSU
OCZ400MXSP
Cooling
Stock
Internet Speed
DSL

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gigabyte
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU
Intel Core(TM)2 Quad- Q9550, 2.83GHz
Motherboard
G31M-ES2L
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD4600
Sound Card
On Board:
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer AL2223W, Acer AL1916
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050, 1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
160GB
350GB
250GB
250GB
PSU
600W
Case
Cooler Master
Keyboard
Microsoft Laser 6000
Mouse
Logitech Optical Trackman
Internet Speed
1.5MB
Other Info
I am also running a quasar gamatron flux capacitor with twin pulse tronic phasers......jk, I have no such stuff.
Thanks! zay One thing you want to do when posting any thread like this is provide a link to the source itself whether a download or an article you happen to post.

That way everyone can look over the full information, confirm the validity, and certainly not running into any problems later like posting a new article or blog without reference usually looked at as "plegiarism" of one type or another. That can save your day later for sure if someone should raise an issue about something! ;)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom builds = 2
    OS
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz - 965 2nd remote pc
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4-Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600 1.5v 16gb - Hyper X Fury 8gb 2nd
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 5750 1gb - MSI HD Radeon 6450 on mini tower
    Sound Card
    Creative Labs X-Fi Xtreme Audio P - Realtek onooard 2nd case
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW199T-P 19" HP 2082a Main-HP 2082a 20" remote pc
    Screen Resolution
    Asus 1440x900 - HP 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Black 1TB HD per OS W7, W10, and pending W11 presently on 500gb OS Drive - Pending Triple 1TB HDs for Spanned Storage/backup volume
    Single 2TB external USB enclosure, single 1TB System 7 Host/Boot drive, Pending 8TB external HD for system image b
    PSU
    Corsair 750TX - primary / Corsair CX600 - second
    Case
    Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible / NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900A
    Keyboard
    AZIO L70 Backlit Letters Gaming - ONN Cordless/USB
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 Programmable, Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    30mbps upgrade - primary hard wired - mini tower usb WiFi
    Antivirus
    GFI VIPRE Internet Security 2014 on W7 2016 beta on W10,
    Browser
    Cyberfox, WaterFox 64bit FF variants, FireFox x64, Pale Moon
    Other Info
    Accomdata fan cooled usb 2.0 PIDE/Sata II, III external enclosure.
    Sambient usb/eSata PATA/Sata II, III external enclosure.
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    CUSTOM ASSEMBLY
    OS
    W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Deneb 3.6ghz - 965
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X Fury 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 6450 DVI Output
    Sound Card
    Realtek onooard Creative or Other separate PENDING
    Monitor(s) Displays
    VIZIO 32" LCD TV Separate LCD Pending
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 500GB OS Host/Boot WD Green 1TB Storage/Backup
    PSU
    Corsair 600W - THERMALTAKE 600W spare case
    Case
    NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Twin 120mm Top Fans - 240mm Side Cover
    Keyboard
    ONN Cordless/USB Logitech Cordless
    Mouse
    ONN USB/Cordless - Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    DSL 5G
    Browser
    MS Edge, FireFox, WaterFox x64, FireFox Nightly
    Other Info
    OS Testing-Remote Access to Main TeamViewer
  • Like
Reactions: zay
You are right, and my apologies for not posting the link. As long as I have been in the IT industry, I should have known better. Thanks again for the tip.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gigabyte
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU
Intel Core(TM)2 Quad- Q9550, 2.83GHz
Motherboard
G31M-ES2L
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD4600
Sound Card
On Board:
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer AL2223W, Acer AL1916
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050, 1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
160GB
350GB
250GB
250GB
PSU
600W
Case
Cooler Master
Keyboard
Microsoft Laser 6000
Mouse
Logitech Optical Trackman
Internet Speed
1.5MB
Other Info
I am also running a quasar gamatron flux capacitor with twin pulse tronic phasers......jk, I have no such stuff.
You probably simply forgot when going to post the information. Once you get busy posting a good number of articles, guides, and other things it will usually then become more of a second nature where you'll be checking yourself automatically! :D
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    Custom builds = 2
    OS
    W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz - 965 2nd remote pc
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4-Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600 1.5v 16gb - Hyper X Fury 8gb 2nd
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 5750 1gb - MSI HD Radeon 6450 on mini tower
    Sound Card
    Creative Labs X-Fi Xtreme Audio P - Realtek onooard 2nd case
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW199T-P 19" HP 2082a Main-HP 2082a 20" remote pc
    Screen Resolution
    Asus 1440x900 - HP 1600x900
    Hard Drives
    WD Black 1TB HD per OS W7, W10, and pending W11 presently on 500gb OS Drive - Pending Triple 1TB HDs for Spanned Storage/backup volume
    Single 2TB external USB enclosure, single 1TB System 7 Host/Boot drive, Pending 8TB external HD for system image b
    PSU
    Corsair 750TX - primary / Corsair CX600 - second
    Case
    Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible / NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900A
    Keyboard
    AZIO L70 Backlit Letters Gaming - ONN Cordless/USB
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 Programmable, Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    30mbps upgrade - primary hard wired - mini tower usb WiFi
    Antivirus
    GFI VIPRE Internet Security 2014 on W7 2016 beta on W10,
    Browser
    Cyberfox, WaterFox 64bit FF variants, FireFox x64, Pale Moon
    Other Info
    Accomdata fan cooled usb 2.0 PIDE/Sata II, III external enclosure.
    Sambient usb/eSata PATA/Sata II, III external enclosure.
  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    CUSTOM ASSEMBLY
    OS
    W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
    CPU
    AMD Deneb 3.6ghz - 965
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H remote pc
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper X Fury 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI HD Radeon 6450 DVI Output
    Sound Card
    Realtek onooard Creative or Other separate PENDING
    Monitor(s) Displays
    VIZIO 32" LCD TV Separate LCD Pending
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD 500GB OS Host/Boot WD Green 1TB Storage/Backup
    PSU
    Corsair 600W - THERMALTAKE 600W spare case
    Case
    NZXT Vulcan mini tower
    Cooling
    Twin 120mm Top Fans - 240mm Side Cover
    Keyboard
    ONN Cordless/USB Logitech Cordless
    Mouse
    ONN USB/Cordless - Logitech Cordless
    Internet Speed
    DSL 5G
    Browser
    MS Edge, FireFox, WaterFox x64, FireFox Nightly
    Other Info
    OS Testing-Remote Access to Main TeamViewer
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