SSD & RAM Questions

hi everyone,
I have some questions that I could really use some help on. I am not the smartest when it comes to computers so I really would appreciate help here so much!

My question is what will be better/greater performance: 16 GB RAM with 128gb SSD or 8GB RAM with 256gb SSD? (Both running same graphics card, same GHz processor i7) **(Also I am referring to a single 256gb SSD not 2x128gb)**

which will make the computer run faster, boot/load times, overall performance such as multitasking like running skype while playing a game? So I guess what I am trying to understand is which is better, more RAM or more SSD or does it end up being the same actually?

 

Better performance would be better gauged if you listed your full system specifications and model/make. In general gaming, RAM usually 8 GB is enough, but 99% of games have a GPU bottleneck, so if you have a mid tier graphics card, an SSD and more RAM are unlikely to help gaming performance. Overall use, like I said 8 GB of RAM usually enough, larger SSDs usually have a fast read/write speeds, but you need to list what SSD you are looking at..

 

Most games don't use much standard RAM. They do use something called "video RAM" though. If you are talking about a dual core i7 , your multitasking ability will already be limited by that in most cases. If you do something intensive like photo editing , more RAM could give a noticeable increase in performance but if you are going to browse Facebook and play solitaire at the same time, you aren't going to notice a difference.

 

ty so much for responding!!

alienware x51
i7 4770- @ 3.9 GHz (it is quad core)
nVidia Geforce gtx760
1tb HDD and a 128gb SSD (OCZ vertex 450 series)
8 GB RAM

so I am thinking of putting in either more RAM by upgrading to 16gb and keeping the 128gb SSD or keeping the RAM where it is and upgrading to a 256 GB OCZ SSD (vertex 450). Even though buying 2x128gb SSD is cheaper, I do not want to do that and run it in Raid, I would much rather have 256gb standalone single.

So do you think RAM or more SSD? I know the SSD will cost more than the RAM upgrade, cost not an issue.. What is going to help me run even smoother?
tysm again!!

 

Get a larger capacity SSD.

It will be easier to add more RAM in the future (if required) than to get a larger SSD and migrate (or reinstall) the operating system.

Unless you do some 3D rendering or video editing, 8GB of RAM will suffice for now.

My 2c.

 

TBH if you want to play the latest games, the 760 might want to be upgraded. That is going to bottleneck your system moreso than anything, 8 GB is sufficient, at least RAM doesn't cost that much compared to SSD/GPU.

 

tysm, I will def keep that in mind in the future! I am not really a hardcore gamer, I mean I kind of am, but I am not one that plays crysis or BF3/4 or something like that, I usually play minecraft or cs 1.6. I dont see myself playing battlefield or crysis, not really into them, but if I play something in between crysis and minecraft spec wise-- what will I benefit more from-- meaning what is going to give me even higher FPS, SSD or RAM? Which one has a greater affect on FPS if you had to choose only one?

sorry if these are noob questions lol, I just really don't know about these kinds of things

 

Do you have that computer right now or are you going to buy it? Upgrading to 16 GB isn't going to help for games since most games don't even use 4 GB of RAM (32 bit applications are capped at 4 GB). If you want better performance for video games , you should see if you can upgrade your GPU. A bigger SSD will just let you store more stuff.

 

Neither the extra RAM or SSD will give you extra FPS in a game between Crysis and Minecraft specwise. FPS in a game mainly depends on the GPU and in some cases the CPU will be big factor ( in games like SC2).

 

yes that is my desktop now, your replies helped me so much thank you for pointing out what does what, I will reconsider things now, maybe save my money instead

 

So graphics card and cpu are most important, this helps me with another question I have been having, as I have been considering buying a 2nd computer, a laptop actually. Maybe you or someone can help me with this question. So for example I am thinking between Razerblade 14 @3.2ghz vs Msi GS70 @3.4Ghz. They both have same graphics card, can be made with same storage, Razer 8gb RAM vs GS70 16gb RAM, but perhaps it is possible to upgrade the Razer to 16 yourself, not too worried about that since you pointed the stuff out about RAM, more concerned about how much the 0.2Ghz makes?

 

I think this thread might help you.