So, how much RAM does a gamer need?

I got 16GB, just because I wanted all slots filled

 

Windows will cache whatever processes you are running to the RAM, a certain percentage, while leaving some free. So if you had 32GB or 16GB windows would have cached a lot more for faster access time. Its just how windows and the whole dynamic RAM usage work.

 

Ah yes, the maximize efficiency protocol. A useful philosophy don't you agree?

 

But it can't cache more than it's using. If it can consume 5GB, it's still more than 4GB. And if he has 16GB RAM and still only using 5GB then it's not truly maximizing the RAM if it's not all cached there.

Bottom line, play some games with 4GB vs 8GB. For newer demanding games, there's noticeable performance hiccups even with a "clean" system using only 4GB. Multitask any amount and it only rears its head more. Again, pony up the extra $10-15 for 8GB vs 4GB and get on with life. It's like debating if you should buy the 250GB HDD for $50 or the 500GB HDD for $60 when you may end up occasionally breaching the 250GB storage size.

 

When I tried to reflash friend's RAM stick I took out my 8Gigs and put his 2GB stick in my lappy... Soon I understood that I made a mistake.

Laptop didn't even boot after 2 minutes. Even more, now I always have 2 errors when Sony Wireless utility shows up every boot. Had to install 2nd OS.
So what are we talking about now?

6GB is minimum. 8GB is preferable.

People who need more than 8GB know exactly why do they need more and that's it. Good buy, deleted subscription.

 

That's a very good statement. I would say 8GB is the standard minimum these days, and 16GB if you do mild VM's or heavy development, and 32GB+ if you are into more heavy VM's or whatever.

 

I understood your analogy. You were putting parts on the car that the car could not utilize to their maximum potential. This is not the case as the laptop can utilize the ram to it's fullest potential. If you meant something else then you used the wrong analogy. That's why I said they usually don't help people's case.

 

How about this for RAM usage, with no actual gaming going on whatsoever:


Oddly, the computer was perfectly responsive at this point. However, an attempt to launch Skyrim of course led to the following:


Good thing 16gb of desktop RAM is only $70 on Amazon these days...

(the dear wifey's interpretation of all this was something to the effect of "doubleyou-tee-eff my computer's broken!")

 

Wow. Topic states need not want, so close all other programmes first. :thumbsup:

 

The answer is still that it depends on the game. Newer games can and will suffer with 4GB.

 

8GB is recommended for a modern system just to be on the safe side.
when you take into account that about 2.5GB might be used by Windows 7 in total, most new games probably won't utilize more than 3GB... so it is recommended to have 6 to 8GB (for those who game).

Others who might be using more intense software... 8GB and above is recommended, especially if we are talking about 3dsMax, Photoshop, etc.

 

Tell me about it, i went from 8 to 12 to 16GB because of out of memory errors, but the downside is that now i'm lazy about closing programs under normal usage.

 

You are speaking to power hogs here. Your words fall of deaf ears.

I'm sorry, but no manufacture recommends that. You're stating a "user" preferences.

Some of Adobe suites might, but that's not a game.

It would if you were thinking objectively.

No, that's not the point.

Who said anything about multitasking?

Non sequitor. You're deviating form the premise of the thread.

Your logic is flawed. My point was diminish return. No one will go out and buy 16+ GB of RAM and open two dozen tabs just because RAM is cheap. There's only so much that is practical, after that, any more becomes superfluous.

 

I got 32GB because it was cheap. I could definitely live on 16GB, if I had to.

 

And you can be. Why is that a downside?


Sent from my Tricorder using Tapatalk

 

More CPU load->Less CPU performance on intensive tasks?

 

Tell me about it, I went from Dx 7.0 8MB GPU to a 32MB Dx9.0 GPU with Blur support to DX10.1 1024MB GPU because was out of graphic performance in games but the downside is that now even when OCed it I still increase graphics settings in games and of course still need more fps.

Yeah, as I see you are still talk about the same...
I can give you theme to talk about.
We are discussing here about how much RAM modern gamer needs.

 

That was more a not so on topic reply to Dek's comment about CAD software. I would put it at 8GB for a gamer now, 4GB is cutting it too close imo. I personally, usually have voip, steam a game and a few browser tab opened at the same time which sometimes puts my usage at over 4GB.

I agree with Syberia here.

 

If I'm not mistaken, I wasn't claiming that 'manufacturers' recommend 8GB.
I was stating a recommendation based on personal experience/point of view.

 

To be a true OP gamer who can brag with his hardware, need 32GB. Cause it's all about the bragging rights!

 

I'd say that 8GB would be a recommended amount to have. 4GB is probably the minimum needed, 32GB is way more than needed so save your money for other components.