Necessary amount of RAM

[cheezit]

I know that the general concensus, at least to a degree, is the more RAM, the better. But realisitically, what would the absolute least amount necessary be? I ask because I'm considering an all-in-one Dell which comes with 4 GB of RAM & no option to add more during the ordering process. Is 4 GB enough, considering I'm not going to be using any memory intensive programs?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

It's fine for most users.

I have 4 and rarely use more than 3.

Windows 7 will run tolerably well on 2--or even less.

 

[rraod]

For 32 bit windows 7 you will need a maximum of 4 GB. But if you have 64 bit Windows 7, 4 GB should be ok initially, you will be better off with 6 GB or 8 GB for running multiple applications and VMs.

 

[seavixen32]

Windows 7 system requirements - Microsoft Windows

Bear in mind these are minimum requirements, but quite honestly, you'll be fine with 4GB.

You say the Dell ordering process won't let you choose more than 4GB. Is this because you are ordering a computer with a 32-bit operating system?

If so, I think you should reconsider and go for a 64-bit machine. You'll then have the option to upgrade your RAM in the future.

 

[rraod]

If you are using the computer just for internet browsing, chatting on messenger and using MS Office applications only then you will be fine with a 32 bit windows 7 and 4 GB RAM.

But if you want to use intensive applications like Photoshop, AutoCAD and other heavy applications, it is better to invest on a 64 bit Windows 7 machine with memory expansion capability up to at least 8 GB.

 

[cheezit]

It is a Windows 7 64 bit machine. I had emailed Dell before I started this thread and they answered me after I started the thread. They basically told me that the computer is available in three prices. I could get 8 GB of RAM if I wanted to get the top of the line and pay $1300. Somehow, $700 for 4 GB of RAM and a bigger had drive seems just a tad bit on the outrageous side to me. At any rate, I emailed them back and asked if I could add RAM at some later time. They said that it's possible, but it is a difficult process as it is not a regular PC.

For informations sake, the computer I am refering to is the Dell Inspiron One 2320 non touch screen.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You have already said you will not be using memory-intensive programs.

For that reason, I would go with 4.

If you decide you need 8 at a later date, deal with that then.

But I certainly would not buy RAM from Dell under any circumstances. As you discovered, they will charge you triple or quadruple.

 

[jloc]

Windows 7 runs smooth on my 1.5GB. Running Firefox with two tabs, Malwarebytes and MSE only uses up 600mb of my RAM.

 

[pcunite]

4GB is fine ... I'm running a backup program right now, surfing the web, and have a WMWare image of XP running as well. Only used 2.5GBs of RAM at the moment out of my 8GB.

 

[seavixen32]

Run the Crucial Memory Scanner.

SDRAM, DDR2 and DDR RAM memory upgrades from Crucial.com

It'll advise exactly which configuration is best for your computer and it'll be a lot cheaper than Dell

 

[stormy13]

I emailed them back and asked if I could add RAM at some later time. They said that it's possible, but it is a difficult process as it is not a regular PC.

They lied big time. All you do is remove 6 screws to take the back cover off,

Documentation

then just swap out the installed memory for the stuff you bought,

Documentation

They were right about one thing though, it isn't a regular PC. It is nothing more than a laptop made with laptop components, built into the monitor.

P.S. As far as the memory goes according to the specs for it,

AnandTech - Dell Inspiron One 2320: Stuck in the Middle With You

it takes DDR3 1333 ram, which you can pick up 8 GB (2x4 GB) for $40 or less,

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Memory, Laptop Memory, 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM, 8GB (2 x 4GB)

 

[bigmck]

I have an older laptop with Win 7 and only 1 GB of RAM. It runs really good. You will be find with 4 GB.

 

[Britton30]

Here's what MS says Windows 7 system requirements - Microsoft Windows
For 32bit or 64bit 4GB would be better and run quite well/ note 32bit would only recognize about 3.5GB due to the 32bit OS limitation.

It is a Windows 7 64 bit machine. I had emailed Dell before I started this thread and they answered me after I started the thread. They basically told me that the computer is available in three prices. I could get 8 GB of RAM if I wanted to get the top of the line and pay $1300. Somehow, $700 for 4 GB of RAM and a bigger had drive seems just a tad bit on the outrageous side to me. At any rate, I emailed them back and asked if I could add RAM at some later time. They said that it's possible, but it is a difficult process as it is not a regular PC.

For informations sake, the computer I am referring to is the Dell Inspiron One 2320 non touch screen.

See Stormy's post. That is a ridiculous price!

 

[whs]

4GB is plenty. For years I ran on 3GBs - now I have a new system with 8GB and really see no big difference. Half of my RAM is now empty most of the time. It is not even used for caching. Example - and this system has been running all day:

 

[profdlp]

...They basically told me that the computer is available in three prices. I could get 8 GB of RAM if I wanted to get the top of the line and pay $1300. Somehow, $700 for 4 GB of RAM and a bigger had drive seems just a tad bit on the outrageous side to me...

I've seen a lot of systems sold this way, especially in the last year or so since the bottom has fallen out on RAM prices.

My theory is that companies are having trouble unloading the smaller-sized modules. After all, who's going to want 2 X 2GB (4GB total) when 2 X 4GB (8GB total) costs only a few bucks more? (At retail, anyway.) Since they don't want to get stuck with a warehouse full of rinky-dink RAM they pretty much force you to either take the smaller ones off their hands or pay through the nose for what you really want.

They lied big time. All you do is remove 6 screws to take the back cover off...
...it takes DDR3 1333 ram, which you can pick up 8 GB (2x4 GB) for $40 or less...

Great advice. Dell could do it for you for peanuts, but then what would they do with the pair of 2GB modules? Buy the model you wanted, do the upgrade yourself if necessary (like ignatzatsonic mentioned), then spend the $660 net you saved on something else.

 

[jack1953]

I can remember 10 years ago 512mg was a lot of RAM!

 

[M1GU31]

2-4gbs of ram would be efficient enough for win7 32bit or 64bit.I upgraded my uncles pc from vista to 7 and it has 3gbs of ram and runs 10x faster with 7 then vista. He's really happy with it. I basically cleaned out his pc and tried vista but it was still slow so i told him to get win 7. His pc runs like butter now and i did all the management including putting a anti virus like avast,codecs,video card drivers and cleaned the inside of his pc at no charge. All free

 

[Lantz]

On 4 GB of RAM it should run perfectly fine. My Computer Engineering class has about 20 machines, all Dell and all outdated, each with no more than 2 GB of RAM apiece and they all run Windows 7 fine. However I think you're getting kinda screwed by Dell with those prices.

 

[agent47er]

since you won't be using any memory intensive programs... 4GB should be sufficient to handle all your requirements.... anything more than that will not help you much... if you feel the need for greater performance then I would recommend you to get an SSD instead of the extra RAM

 

[whs]

I would recommend you to get an SSD instead of the extra RAM

Absolutely. That's the way to go. Get a Crucial M4 for a hundred bucks and your system will really fly.