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    Windows 7 (64-bit) 2GB vs. 4GB observations

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Phil, Oct 15, 2010.

  1. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I've always been a bit skeptical of whether 4GB is really beneficial for normal usage (web, office, music etc.)

    I know most people say so but I wanted to test is. So I did a couple of benchmarks. Turns out that light multitasking goes significantly quicker with 4GB (I did not write the numbers down).

    The last 2 weeks I've been running my system with 2GB to try if it would be a problem. It has happened three times now that I got the message 'Windows is running low on memory, please close applications'.

    So for me it's clear now, the average user does benefit from having 4GB.
     
    Phil, Oct 15, 2010
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  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Are you running Windows 7 64-bit?

    I have 2GB of RAM in my notebook and W7 Pro 32-bit, never had a problem with memory usage. I do Word, Excel, OneNote, Firefox, iTunes, and other non-intense tasks . . . rarely do I see the memory usage go over 1GB. At idle I am around 530-550MB usage, and with just one or two of the aforementioned applications open, I run about 750MB usage.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Oct 15, 2010
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  3. maximinimaus

    maximinimaus Notebook Evangelist

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    What's about having 8GB?
     
    maximinimaus, Oct 15, 2010
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  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Yes 64 bit, I've clarified that in the title now. I did disable my page file. That might have to do with it. Also the fact that I rarely reboot may have to do with it (I use hibernate often).
    As far as I know it doesn't help for normal usage. I haven't tested it though.
     
    Phil, Oct 15, 2010
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  5. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    How about 3GB?
     
    sgogeta4, Oct 15, 2010
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  6. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Haven't tested that either. I reckon 3GB might be enough.
     
    Phil, Oct 15, 2010
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  7. Crimsoned

    Crimsoned Notebook Deity

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    This is the reason why you received low memory usage warnings. Page file is used when ram is used up, thus allowing for more memory usage to reach critical low memory warnings. The con however is page file is significantly slower in reads since it's located in the hard drive, hindering performance.


    Brief and good article on Ram/ Virtual memory/Page file
    RAM, Virtual Memory, Pagefile and all that stuff

    Anyways now a days utilizing the newest of softwares:
    Windows 7/Vista
    Firefox, Chrome for browsing
    Office 2007/2010 for productivity software
    Email clients
    Just about any decent and modern picture/video editor

    Have all increased in ram usage, so I agree with the OP that 4gb is now the standard-user standard. 3GB is fine too, however may run into issues with multitasking productivity software (office 2010) and other newer programs.
     
    Crimsoned, Oct 15, 2010
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  8. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I understand what the page file does yet I was surprised I was running out of memory during normal usage.
     
    Phil, Oct 15, 2010
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  9. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    My bad. I leave my page file enabled and let Windows manage the size.

    I was rather set on upgrading my RAM to 4GB after I got my notebook but I am going on a year now with 2GB and Windows 7 32-bit, no problems.

    My desktop on the other hand is a different story. I have 4GB of RAM and W7 64-bit; memory usage is 1.5GB right now with just Firefox. I think Windows uses more RAM if it knows it can, otherwise it keeps usage to a minimum (like in my laptop). Strangely, I haven't noticed any real performance differences between my notebook and my desktop in everyday usage.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Oct 15, 2010
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  10. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    I tested that with my netbook: 2GB, 1GB and 512MB memory sizes. Of course that was 32bit OS since it has no 64bit support.

    Even with 512MB Win7 was working okay but there was clear difference. Also memory usage was always under the installed amount, so clearly windows dropped something out it detected smaller ram.

    I was too lazy to actually examine what the differences were. Just happy to see it worked.
     
    KLF, Oct 15, 2010
    #10