Is 2GB RAM really necessary?

[rallynavvie]

Wow, so many fallacies that I don't even want to start bursting bubbles.

Video transcoding uses CPU speed, not memory. The only time an encoder/transcoder starts eating memory is when it's prefetching results for a multi-pass encode, and even then it really only needs maybe 512MB or so to be plenty happy. Unless you're running dual Italy Opterons that can rip through SMP-aware video encoders and leave you yearning for more to encode. But at that point you've got a system that's meant to address that much memory and not have any problems doing so.

Only those Adobe apps are memory-hogs. I have the full gamut of Adobe applications on my two main workstations (video and creative suites). It's going to depend on what you're doing with Photoshop. For me I'd never need 35 images open at once. I'm working on one with elements pulled from a few others. And this also includes having InDesign, Illustrator, and/or AE open as well. I do have 2GB in my current primary workstation (don't ask how much is in the secondary), but my old primary only had 1GB and Athlon MP 1900s and it was able to do all that just as well.

The only time I'm really pushing my memory utilization is when running RAM previews in AE, but that's to be expected. It renders a chunk of the video you're editing into memory so that you can scrub through it and see your work as if it were already rendered out.

Oh and the Battlefield series of games. Seriously, some of the big maps on BF2 (and even some BF1942 mods) eat memory for breakfast. Didn't help that BF2 had a memory leak issue for a while either. After seeing some memory utilization exceeding 1GB with those games I've actually had to suppot gaming rigs getting 2GB. Though I did make fun of someone claiming to have 8GB of memory in their 478 system who said the difference between 1GB and 8GB when playing FarCry was night and day

[ofbarea]

I think 2 GB will be OK, as this will save upgrade time in the future and with current prices this should be OK.

WXP will not normally give more than 2GB of RAM to applications. If the program has a "special" flag, Windows will give it up to 3 GB of RAM. This makes sense in an environment where several big hungry applications are running simultaneously.

I have WXP pro, with 2GB of RAM and I rarely use more than 1 GB, but some photo editing software work better with this amount of memory.

By the way, at least in recent intel chipsets, memory sticks with chips in both sides are faster than the ones with chips ins just one side. Also use dual channel configuration as the performance of the system will be better.

When I upgrated my memory from 512 MB to 2 GB, Both WXP and Office 2003 required re-activation.

[bevills1]

None of those activation hassles with Win2k which is why I concur with spiffy's Win2k choice as well as the very reason I chose Win2k about 4 years ago and never regretted this choice.

[ROF]

Is 2GB really necessary? This would depend on your usage and how much you can afford to spend. Just remember a famous geek once said 640K is all the memory you would ever need.

[Denvers Dawgs]

What is the best way to configure 2GB of RAM?

A. (2)1GB sticks

B. (1)1GB & (2)512

C. (4)512mb?

[DarrellS]

I'll run Windows 2000 until it's support runs out in 2010, Not sure what I'll do then. Maybe learn how to use Linux. Bill Gates can stick XP up his A$$. I ain't jumpin' through hoops to reinstall my OS or to do simple upgrades. Maybe I can still run 2000 long after it's support has ended. I still run 98SE on my other machine and support for it ended a long time ago.

I've always heard, buy as much memory as you can afford unless you're running 98SE then anything over 256MB is overkill (some say anything over 128MB but I'm running 192MB on the 98 machine).

[jntaylor63]

I would just go a head and MAX out the RAM. Its cheap and if your PC needs it, you'll have it.

[ROF]

What is the best way to configure 2GB of RAM?

A. (2)1GB sticks

B. (1)1GB & (2)512

C. (4)512mb?

Option A.

[ntscuser]

What is the best way to configure 2GB of RAM?

A. (2)1GB sticks

B. (1)1GB & (2)512

C. (4)512mb?

Option A.

There's little choice where I live. The local PC shop only stocks 2x1GB sticks of DDR1
Of course I could always buy mail-order with all the hassle that entails.

[ROF]

That's rough. I do not stock 256MB anymore but I still keep 512MB RAM on hand.

[corrax]

What is the best way to configure 2GB of RAM?

A. (2)1GB sticks

B. (1)1GB & (2)512

C. (4)512mb?

This all depends on your hardware and your wallet. Some motherboards only have a certain number of slots, while others require RAM to be installed in matching pairs. A 1 GB module will almost always cost more than two 512 MB modules, mainly because it's more expensive to cram more space onto the same module. It's this way with any type of storage medium.

To comment on the maximum RAM issue, there is no disadvantage to having more RAM other than that it will require a larger amount of available virtual memory (or page file). Your page file should always have an initial size of 1.5x your total RAM with a maximum size of 2x. Since this resides on your hard drive, you will lose a little storage space. Both Windows 2000 and Windows XP can address up to 4 GB of RAM, so my suggestion is to buy what you think you will need. More running applications means you will need more RAM to avoid a performance hit. Windows alone is guaranteed to use 128 - 256 MB, so plan accordingly.

[ntscuser]

Read this:-

http://www.theeldergeek.com/sizing_the_page_file.htm

[Nelson37]

The calculation is fairly simple. If using DDR RAM, and assuming you will not go over 2gb total, and you have four slots, then A and C are equivalent, depending on cost. If you only have two slots, and you buy 2x512, then your upgrade path consists of removing those sticks, throwing them out the window, and buying 2x1gb sticks. Buying just one 1xgb stick leaves open your upgrade path, somewhat banks on prices falling, which they will at some point, however runs the slight risk of having a future conflict with two non-matching sticks of RAM. Also does not give the slight benefit of Dual-Channel RAM.

Do you really need 2Gb right now? Probably not, though it is possible. The better question is Will you need 2GB in the future? The answer is you bet your ass, the only question is how far into the future. Factor in how often you plan to upgrade your Mobo, you do not want to load up on hardware you do not really need that may not be compatible with your next board, Big Fat IF you intend to upgrade within a year or so. If the upgrade is more like 2-3 years out or more then you will most likely have to buy all new RAM anyway.

2x512 saves a few bucks, leaves no upgrade path, but gives Dual-Channel boost. 1x1Gb leaves open upgrade, might be slightly less or more on cost, no Dual-Channel. 2x1Gb will cost more, maxes out memory for future, guaranteed compatible pair of chips, Dual-Channel benefit.

[ViRaL1]

Just out of curiosity...will this system run with just 1 stick of RAM? I'd heard that some are dual channel only and either won't run at all or will run sluggishly with only one stick. IMO you should go with 2x1GB now unless the cost is prohibitive. Memory prices are volatile and could very well drop, but it seems more often than not that they spike when you REALLY need to upgrade and in general, getting what you want / need up front is cheaper than buying less and upgrading later. Will you use it right now, more than likely not. Will you use it eventuall, I'd say it's a safe bet.

As a side note, everyone's still talking about XP but no one has mentioned Vista at all. Granted you may not have any intentions at all of running it, but you might. XP only requires a minimum of 64MB of ram and a recommended minimum of 128MB, while the minimum for Vista is 512MB (8x what XP wants). I doubt the overall memory requirements for you will be 8x what you'd need for XP, but 1GB seems like you're setting yourself up for an upgrade.

[Sam Ontario]

Vista learns your habits (applications you run etc) and loads them at the background at startup. When you click the icon, it will immediately show up on the screen. Therefore, The more RAM, the better will be if you consider VISTA a future OS.