Do I really need 16 Gigs of RAM?

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#1  Edited By Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

Hey, guys.

I'm building a custom PC and I can't decided whether I need 8 GB of RAM or 16 GB. I'm currently on a laptop with 4 GB of RAM and I've never done any photo or video editing on it. But I'm planning of getting hooked with video-editing software and game development. So my new PC won't be for gaming alone.

1. So do I really need 16 GB RAM or will 8 GB suffice?

2. If 8 GB, then do I get 2x4GB or 1x8GB? If 16 GB, then 4x4GB or 2x8GB?

3. Which RAM (8GB and 16GB) is the best for the price (around $60 or $120)?

4. Is 1866MHz really an advantage over 1600MHz and is it worth the extra dollars?

5. Finally, I've seen that Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866MHz is only $5 more expensive than the Corsair Vengeance 1600Mhz RAM. Why is it so?

6. Another thing I noticed is that this Corsair Vengenace Pro is 1600MHz but it is more expensive than the Pro 1866MHz version. How's that possible?

Please try to answer each question separately. Thanks.

Avatar image for FelipeInside
FelipeInside

28548

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#2  Edited By FelipeInside
Member since 2003 • 28548 Posts

@leeuwenhok said:

Hey, guys.

I'm building a custom PC and I can't decided whether I need 8 GB of RAM or 16 GB. I'm currently on a laptop with 4 GB of RAM and I've never done any photo or video editing on it. But I'm planning of getting hooked with video-editing software and game development. So my new PC won't be for gaming alone.

1. So do I really need 16 GB RAM or will 8 GB suffice?

16 GB for future proof.

2. If 8 GB, then do I get 2x4GB or 1x8GB? If 16 GB, then 4x4GB or 2x8GB?

Depends what's best value for money. Go for 2 x 8GB so you can expand in the future.

3. Which RAM (8GB and 16GB) is the best for the price (around $60 or $120)?

I always buy Corsair RAM

4. Is 1866MHz really an advantage over 1600MHz and is it worth the extra dollars?

Not much but get the higher speed....also check timings.

Avatar image for JigglyWiggly_
JigglyWiggly_

24625

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#3  Edited By JigglyWiggly_
Member since 2009 • 24625 Posts

For video editing, you want 16gb of ram. For game development, in most cases you really don't.

1600mhz is fine, 1866 is just slightly faster. You won't notice a different.

Avatar image for insane_metalist
insane_metalist

7797

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 42

User Lists: 0

#4  Edited By insane_metalist
Member since 2006 • 7797 Posts

For video editing 16GB, gaming requires 8GB.

Avatar image for bulby_g
bulby_g

1861

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#5  Edited By bulby_g
Member since 2005 • 1861 Posts

Yes, get at least 16GB if you are doing video editing.

Avatar image for Coseniath
Coseniath

3183

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#6 Coseniath
Member since 2004 • 3183 Posts

1. Generally 8GB would be enough, but if you want to do some editing 16GB might be required.

2. If you plan to go with 8GB RAM, I would suggest go with the 2x4GB RAM root because of some RAM sticks and motherboard may cause problems if they are not the same kit. So unless you plan on buying a big cooler that covers a slot in your RAM, I suggest go with 2x4GB RAM.

3. This might change per day. Every day the stores are making offers so... I would choose corsair's and gskill's RAMs over the rest.

4. It really wouldn't make a huge difference (depending on what you are doing...) but if the price difference is small... I bought Corsair Vengeance Pro 2133 RAM (Read: 32GB/s, Write: 33GB/s, Copy: 31GB/s) for just $10 extra...

5. Like I said before, this depends on the offers that stores are making.

6. Same like 5.

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#7 Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

Okay, so that was a lot of help. Now some more questions.

7. Why does video editing need so much RAM?

8. Won't future games need more than 8GB RAM? 6-8GB is currently the recommended standard. It's bound to change, isn't it?

9. If I buy 8GB now (2x4GB), and need to upgrade to 16GB later, how would I do it? Does the new 8GB RAM (1x8GB or 2x4GB) has to be exactly the same model as the first sticks? Or can it be different? What should be the same and what can be different for 2 different RAMs (4x4GB or 2x8GB or 2x4GB+1x8GB) in order for them to be compatible with each other?

10. Which is the best 16GB RAM for around $120? Is RipJaws better than Corsair or vice versa? What's the difference b/w different series of either RAMs?

Avatar image for Coseniath
Coseniath

3183

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#8 Coseniath
Member since 2004 • 3183 Posts

7. Cause it needs to operate huge amounts of data (videos).

8. Well this is unavoidable, games will require at some time more than 8GB but I doubt this would happen soon... (some AAA titles might break the 8GB RAM limit sooner...)

9. If you buy 2x4GB, if you want to keep the dual channel you have to take 2x4GB again (or 2x8GB...). Same applies to 1x8GB. In order to keep the dual channel you must always have 2 or 4 memory sticks. Yes they need to be the same mhz and the same latency. So its better to buy the same RAM in order to avoid problems.

10. As I said these depends heavily on the offers you can find. These are the best at the moment around $120:

G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 CAS11 1,5V $120.98

Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 CAS9 1,5V $124.99

ps: I always go for 1,5V cause Intel suggests max 1,5V+5% which means 1,575. 1,65V are way ahead. Why should I believe Intel? Well I didn't believed her before and I was overvoltaging my RAM with more than Intel's suggested V. After some years the memory controller was fried (:P) and I had to change a $200 motherboard. Now that memory controllers are on CPU, you can imagine how bad this thing can be...

Avatar image for JigglyWiggly_
JigglyWiggly_

24625

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#9  Edited By JigglyWiggly_
Member since 2009 • 24625 Posts

@leeuwenhok said:

Okay, so that was a lot of help. Now some more questions.

7. Why does video editing need so much RAM?

8. Won't future games need more than 8GB RAM? 6-8GB is currently the recommended standard. It's bound to change, isn't it?

9. If I buy 8GB now (2x4GB), and need to upgrade to 16GB later, how would I do it? Does the new 8GB RAM (1x8GB or 2x4GB) has to be exactly the same model as the first sticks? Or can it be different? What should be the same and what can be different for 2 different RAMs (4x4GB or 2x8GB or 2x4GB+1x8GB) in order for them to be compatible with each other?

10. Which is the best 16GB RAM for around $120? Is RipJaws better than Corsair or vice versa? What's the difference b/w different series of either RAMs?

7. Most likely because the video programs when they preview your work, they put the video in an uncompressed format which is very large.

8. Because of consoles, and games don't really need that much ram unless they're extremely large or sloppily made.

9. No it does not have to be the same sticks, just get the same speed of sticks to avoid issues.

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#10 Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

Okay, so it's okay if I get 2x4=8GB of RAM now and 2x4=8GB later. What I have to look out for is that both the sets of RAMs must have the same CAS latency, same MHz and same voltage. Anything else?

11. And what is this CAS latency? What does it matter? And is lower CAS RAM better?

12. I like this Corsair 16GB RAM as it has 9 CAS latency and 1866MHz. What RAM should I look for if I get 8 GB instead of 16 GB?

Avatar image for KHAndAnime
KHAndAnime

17565

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#11 KHAndAnime
Member since 2009 • 17565 Posts

8gb fine for now, 16gb if you want to max games in future

Avatar image for doozie78
Doozie78

1123

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 5

#12  Edited By Doozie78
Member since 2014 • 1123 Posts

Personally I say absolutely.

Avatar image for Coseniath
Coseniath

3183

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#13  Edited By Coseniath
Member since 2004 • 3183 Posts

It should be better if its same brand too but anyway...

11. CAS latency: The lower the better.

NameSymbolDefinition
CAS latencyCLThe time between sending a column address to the memory and the beginning of the data in response. This is the time it takes to read the first bit of memory from a DRAM with the correct row already open.
Row Address to Column Address DelayTRCDThe number of clock cycles required between the opening of a row of memory and accessing columns within it. The time to read the first bit of memory from a DRAM without an active row is TRCD + CL.
Row Precharge TimeTRPThe number of clock cycles required between the issuing of the precharge command and opening the next row. The time to read the first bit of memory from a DRAM with the wrong row open is TRP + TRCD + CL.
Row Active TimeTRASThe number of clock cycles required between a row active command and issuing the precharge command. This is the time needed to internally refresh the row, and overlapping with TRCD. In SDRAM modules, it is simply TRCD + CL. Otherwise, approximately equal to TRCD + (2 * CL).
Notes:
  • RAS : Row Address Strobe
  • CAS : Column Address Strobe
  • TWR : Write Recovery Time, the time that must elapse between the last write command to a row and precharging it. Generally, TRAS = TRCD + TWR.
  • TRC : Row Cycle Time. TRC = TRAS + TRP.

As you can see here (I copied from Wikipedia) you should usually see only CAS latency (CL) and/or TRCD, TRP, TRAS, something like: 1600Mhz, 9-9-9-27.

These are called Memory timings. So we need all these numbers to be lower in order the RAM to be faster.

12. Well 8GB isn't better priced at the moment so... For around $60:

Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 CAS9 1,5V $60.30

For $10 more:

G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 CAS8 1,5V $70.99

If you want similar to 16GB kit, it costs $82.99 :S.

Avatar image for Truth_Hurts_U
Truth_Hurts_U

9703

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

#14  Edited By Truth_Hurts_U
Member since 2006 • 9703 Posts

8GB is min 16 GB is future proof price increase with lower voltage, higher density, higher speed and lower cas rating.

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#15 Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

@Coseniath Same company, speed and CAS, but different model would work? And thanks for all the details. Really helpful.

13. For 16GB RAM, is it better to have 2x8GB or 4x4GB?

14. If I get 8GB now and 8GB later, how do I pull it off? Will 1x8GB now and 2x4GB later work? Or will 2x4GB now and 1x8GB work? Or should I go for 4x4GB?

Avatar image for Coseniath
Coseniath

3183

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#16  Edited By Coseniath
Member since 2004 • 3183 Posts

@leeuwenhok: Well I have tested different models and they worked some worked from other companies as well but in most cases using the exact same models is the ideal.

13. I would go for 2x8GB since 16GB kits seems to cost less $$ so you can get more GB/$$. Not to mention that you can go for 32GB later for RAMDRIVE or evem leave it like this and use a behemoth air cooler that would not allow to place 4 sticks of RAM.

14. I would go with 2x4GB now and 2x4GB later. or even 2x8GB later (for a total 24GB RAM). So in the end you should always have 2 or 4 RAMsticks in order to use the dual channel.

Avatar image for Truth_Hurts_U
Truth_Hurts_U

9703

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

#17  Edited By Truth_Hurts_U
Member since 2006 • 9703 Posts

If $120 or so is your max... Just buy this... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148657

It's got low volts, low latency and it's high density.

I use this RAM on a lot of builds and recommend it.

If you want higher clocked memory... Then for about $3 more you can get this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148740

Both of these RAM modules are superior to any other competitor's memory at the price they go for.

Avatar image for Dark_sageX
Dark_sageX

3561

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 236

User Lists: 0

#18 Dark_sageX
Member since 2003 • 3561 Posts

8GB is generally enough for smooth application running, but 16GB is good if you want to go crazy without slow downs, however OP what you should really be worrying about is the CPU, don't look anywhere below an intel core i7 for viedo editing work.

Avatar image for deactivated-59d151f079814
deactivated-59d151f079814

47239

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#19  Edited By deactivated-59d151f079814
Member since 2003 • 47239 Posts

@Truth_Hurts_U said:

8GB is min 16 GB is future proof price increase with lower voltage, higher density, higher speed and lower cas rating.

Just would like to state that Linus Tech tips has a very informative video on ram basically showing that ram speed differences have little impact on performance, especially gaming. Don't spend a crazy ass large amount of money for "fast" memory.. Because your not going to notice a difference in performance over a average speed one...

Avatar image for Truth_Hurts_U
Truth_Hurts_U

9703

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

#20  Edited By Truth_Hurts_U
Member since 2006 • 9703 Posts

@sSubZerOo:

NM... "Yeah it was more adding on to what you were saying.."

Avatar image for deactivated-59d151f079814
deactivated-59d151f079814

47239

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#21 deactivated-59d151f079814
Member since 2003 • 47239 Posts

@Truth_Hurts_U said:

@sSubZerOo:

Would just like to point out that I was replaying to the OP on why prices vary. AS YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE "price increase with"...

Yeah it was more adding on to what you were saying..

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#22 Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

I wouldn't be doing any heavy-ass video editing. Heck, I don't even know if I'll be doing editing. I've never done it before and I won't be getting into it too much. So I probably won't be needing an i7 since the main aim of the new PC would be gaming.

Avatar image for jun_aka_pekto
jun_aka_pekto

25255

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#23 jun_aka_pekto
Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

@leeuwenhok said:

I wouldn't be doing any heavy-ass video editing. Heck, I don't even know if I'll be doing editing. I've never done it before and I won't be getting into it too much. So I probably won't be needing an i7 since the main aim of the new PC would be gaming.

If you have 4 RAM slots, you can make do with 8 GB via 2 x 4 GB RAM sticks. If you feel you need more RAM, then add another 2 sticks.

You don't need that much RAM if all you'll be doing is post gameplay videos in YT.

Avatar image for JangoWuzHere
JangoWuzHere

19032

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#24 JangoWuzHere
Member since 2007 • 19032 Posts

You should just get 16 gigs of ram to future proof your PC.

RAM isn't super expensive.

Avatar image for kitty
kitty

115429

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#25 kitty  Moderator
Member since 2006 • 115429 Posts

I got a 16 GB kit for $104

put this in comparison, my 8 GB kit was $96 when I bought it a year ago.

Avatar image for AlexKidd5000
AlexKidd5000

3103

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#26  Edited By AlexKidd5000
Member since 2005 • 3103 Posts

I am shocked at just how quickly I went through 4GB when I first got my new PC a few weeks ago, had to use my old RAM until my new RAM got here, just a browser, and Windows update were running, and 3.7GB of RAM were being used up. I personally think you should just go with 16GB, as 8GB will probably soon not be enough.

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#27 Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

Thanks a lot, guys. 16GB it is then.

Avatar image for Bikouchu35
Bikouchu35

8344

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#28 Bikouchu35
Member since 2009 • 8344 Posts
@leeuwenhok said:

Thanks a lot, guys. 16GB it is then.

Good choice.

Don't ask me how, but I managed to eat up all 8gb through web surfing. Ram = good for multitasking anyway.

Avatar image for Old_Gooseberry
Old_Gooseberry

3958

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 76

User Lists: 0

#29 Old_Gooseberry
Member since 2002 • 3958 Posts

16gb is the sweet spot for multitaskers. its not much more for it either these days. But 8gb is probably enough for anyone who just runs one game at a time and doesn't have any extra stuff in the background.

For me i sometimes have work in photoshop opened up or virtualdub compressing a video, even just photoshop with a few 4k sized images with bunch of layers will use up almost 3gb of ram, and if im compressing some videos it can eat up a lot of ram also... so its nice to have extra to give my pc room to run games while all this is going on instead of having to close all my work down everytime i want to play a game.

Also windows is really advanced in how it will use your ram, the more you have, the more it will cache stuff into it making everything run faster. i have no idea how it works but i like seeing windows use lots of available memory to make things run well. Right now its using 12gb cached even though only 3gbs are being used currently, no clue what the means completely but its gotta be good... basically if my pc needs more memory it will sap into the cached stuff i find.

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#30  Edited By Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

@Old_Gooseberry Yeah, that's nice to know. But I've returned to Windows 7 until Windows 10 is out. Windows 8 was lagging a lot on my laptop's 4GB RAM and Windows 10 TP just had lots of bug.

Is a RAM with 2133MHz and 11 CAS better than a RAM with 1866MHz and 9 CAS?
What matters more, CAS or MHz?

Avatar image for jun_aka_pekto
jun_aka_pekto

25255

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#31 jun_aka_pekto
Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

@leeuwenhok said:

@Old_Gooseberry Yeah, that's nice to know. But I've returned to Windows 7 until Windows 10 is out. Windows 8 was lagging a lot on my laptop's 4GB RAM and Windows 10 TP just had lots of bug.

Some people say not to mess with how Windows use a page file. But, setting up the page file to be a permanent size rather than letting Windows dynamically resize it can speed up navigating in Windows.

My old Toshiba laptop (AMD Turion X2, Windows 7) is pretty snappy even with just 4 GB after I set the page file to a permanent 2 GB.

Avatar image for Old_Gooseberry
Old_Gooseberry

3958

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 76

User Lists: 0

#32  Edited By Old_Gooseberry
Member since 2002 • 3958 Posts

@leeuwenhok said:

@Old_Gooseberry Yeah, that's nice to know. But I've returned to Windows 7 until Windows 10 is out. Windows 8 was lagging a lot on my laptop's 4GB RAM and Windows 10 TP just had lots of bug.

Is a RAM with 2133MHz and 11 CAS better than a RAM with 1866MHz and 9 CAS?

What matters more, CAS or MHz?

I actually use Windows 7 also still. I found a lot of little things about windows 8 i didnt like. Mainly its interface and compatibility with some of my older games and apps. Some performance also was worse and overall it had a laggy feel to it.

For memory, high frequency vs lower timings .... it all evens out, theres no big advantage in either. I've heard higher higher mhz is useful for apps that require a lot of memory bandwidth, but i don't think anything like this exists for a normal person cause i've benchmarked some 1600mhz ddr i had and compared it to some 2133mhz ram i had and in games anyways there is noway to even determine which is better because its just that close.

Probably if you were to benchmark those two memorys you have there the 1866mhz would be slightly faster (< 1% probably) from the better timings but you would only be able to see it in a benchmark and it would never be noticeable in anything. basically i bet anything those two memorys would perform identical.

You would think lower timings would be better for games, but i've read a lot of benchmarks comparing them both and you dont even see a 1 fps change either way.

I actually have that exact gskill memory you listed there, the 2133mhz... i've been using it for a couple years and its working perfectly so far.

Avatar image for Old_Gooseberry
Old_Gooseberry

3958

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 76

User Lists: 0

#33 Old_Gooseberry
Member since 2002 • 3958 Posts

@jun_aka_pekto said:

@leeuwenhok said:

@Old_Gooseberry Yeah, that's nice to know. But I've returned to Windows 7 until Windows 10 is out. Windows 8 was lagging a lot on my laptop's 4GB RAM and Windows 10 TP just had lots of bug.

Some people say not to mess with how Windows use a page file. But, setting up the page file to be a permanent size rather than letting Windows dynamically resize it can speed up navigating in Windows.

My old Toshiba laptop (AMD Turion X2, Windows 7) is pretty snappy even with just 4 GB after I set the page file to a permanent 2 GB.

thats a nice tip. I actually read similar somewhere also to set the initial and max page file size so windows isn't constantly changing the size. Probably with a slower drive it may help if windows actually does do this.

I just reinstalled my windows not long ago and its been on auto settings and its pagefile size is 16gb, i'll likely just leave it on auto since its on an brand new fast 512gb SSD and i doubt this would affect its speed. I think its good to leave it enabled though since i think some older programs can get errors if they require pagefile... or if you run low on ram.

Avatar image for jun_aka_pekto
jun_aka_pekto

25255

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#34 jun_aka_pekto
Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

@Old_Gooseberry said:

thats a nice tip. I actually read similar somewhere also to set the initial and max page file size so windows isn't constantly changing the size. Probably with a slower drive it may help if windows actually does do this.

I just reinstalled my windows not long ago and its been on auto settings and its pagefile size is 16gb, i'll likely just leave it on auto since its on an brand new fast 512gb SSD and i doubt this would affect its speed. I think its good to leave it enabled though since i think some older programs can get errors if they require pagefile... or if you run low on ram.

I would definitely avoid disabling the page file. Windows uses it regardless of how much RAM the PC has. It depends on the user's habits. But, in my case with 8 GB of RAM, a permanent page file size of 2048 MB seems to be the sweet spot. Besides gaming, I don't do anything more stressful than recording 1080p game footage or converting camcorder footage to .mp4 with Handbrake. My current settings work fine.

Avatar image for Coseniath
Coseniath

3183

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#35 Coseniath
Member since 2004 • 3183 Posts
@leeuwenhok said:

Is a RAM with 2133MHz and 11 CAS better than a RAM with 1866MHz and 9 CAS?

What matters more, CAS or MHz?

Generally the performance rule between these two is: 1 CAS = 100Mhz.

So RAM with 2133MHz and 11 CAS should be slightly faster than 1866MHz and 9 CAS.

Avatar image for leeuwenhok
Leeuwenhok

155

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#36 Leeuwenhok
Member since 2015 • 155 Posts

Since the MHz and CAS do not create noticeable differences, how much different is a 1600MHz CAS9 RAM from a 2133MHz CAS11 RAM?

Or just find me the best deal on pcpartpicker for 16GB RAM around $120. Thanks.

Avatar image for Arthas045
Arthas045

5800

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#37  Edited By Arthas045
Member since 2005 • 5800 Posts

Normally 8GB is the recommended amount for gaming. If you are doing video etc most recommend 16.

Avatar image for Gammit10
Gammit10

2397

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 119

User Lists: 2

#38 Gammit10
Member since 2004 • 2397 Posts

8 GB is the current medium to sweet-spot for gaming, but if you're just building the PC now, I'd either get 12-16 GB or get a configuration of RAM sticks that will leave free a few slots on your motherboard for future upgrades.

Avatar image for vfibsux
vfibsux

4497

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 52

User Lists: 0

#39  Edited By vfibsux
Member since 2003 • 4497 Posts

Anyone who says you need 16GB for gaming doesn't know what they are talking about. I don't care how badass the game is, you will NEVER use 8GB or even close to it unless there is a memory leak in the game....in which case it is broken.

I just opened up GW2, ESO, and ran scans with Malwarebytes and Security Essentials, with google chrome open.....did not top 6GB usage. I was doing this all at the same time with no issues at all.

8GB is fine for the foreseeable future, period, end of story. When games start coming close to using enough ram where you need 16GB it is the easiest upgrade in the world...buy it then when it is probably 50% cheaper too.

Avatar image for Kh1ndjal
Kh1ndjal

2788

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

#40  Edited By Kh1ndjal
Member since 2003 • 2788 Posts

@vfibsux said:

Anyone who says you need 16GB for gaming doesn't know what they are talking about. I don't care how badass the game is, you will NEVER use 8GB or even close to it unless there is a memory leak in the game....in which case it is broken.

I just opened up GW2, ESO, and ran scans with Malwarebytes and Security Essentials, with google chrome open.....did not top 6GB usage. I was doing this all at the same time with no issues at all.

8GB is fine for the foreseeable future, period, end of story. When games start coming close to using enough ram where you need 16GB it is the easiest upgrade in the world...buy it then when it is probably 50% cheaper too.

pretty much. i don't think i've ever heard of 8GB ram bottlenecking anything with regards to gaming. a lot of people i know, myself included, run two games at the same time in windowed mode without any problems.

Avatar image for xantufrog
xantufrog

17875

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 5

#41  Edited By xantufrog  Moderator
Member since 2013 • 17875 Posts

For gaming, you simply do not. And I'm not particularly moved by the future-proofing argument either, because if you're buying 2 8GB sticks right now you're almost surely paying more than you could if you bought 1x8 now and then purchased another years down the line when you actually need it.

For video editing? Maybe. I'll leave that to those "in the know" - some of the responses above imply yes, although I'll admit I'm skeptical. But I make 3D games and I play 3D games and I don't need 16GB for those tasks. Again - maybe for video editing if others say so.

Avatar image for KHAndAnime
KHAndAnime

17565

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#42  Edited By KHAndAnime
Member since 2009 • 17565 Posts

@vfibsux said:

Anyone who says you need 16GB for gaming doesn't know what they are talking about. I don't care how badass the game is, you will NEVER use 8GB or even close to it unless there is a memory leak in the game....in which case it is broken.

I just opened up GW2, ESO, and ran scans with Malwarebytes and Security Essentials, with google chrome open.....did not top 6GB usage. I was doing this all at the same time with no issues at all.

8GB is fine for the foreseeable future, period, end of story. When games start coming close to using enough ram where you need 16GB it is the easiest upgrade in the world...buy it then when it is probably 50% cheaper too.

Naw breh, games have been recommending 8gb of RAM for a year now - I think it's really silly to assume they won't be using more anytime soon. It's about time games started using any more RAM. Going from 6gb to 16gb made a pretty big difference in the snappiness of my PC, especially if you like to have music and Chrome and other things running in the background. It's worth it alone just not to have to keep track of memory.

Avatar image for Qixote
Qixote

10843

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

#43  Edited By Qixote
Member since 2002 • 10843 Posts

@JangoWuzHere said:

future proof your PC.

I crack up every time I hear that phrase. As if future proofing any piece of technology is possible.

Avatar image for jun_aka_pekto
jun_aka_pekto

25255

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#44 jun_aka_pekto
Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

Hmmm. Can someone post a screenshot of Task Manager using over 8Gb of RAM along with the apps that are running?

Avatar image for vfibsux
vfibsux

4497

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 52

User Lists: 0

#45 vfibsux
Member since 2003 • 4497 Posts

@KHAndAnime said:

@vfibsux said:

Anyone who says you need 16GB for gaming doesn't know what they are talking about. I don't care how badass the game is, you will NEVER use 8GB or even close to it unless there is a memory leak in the game....in which case it is broken.

I just opened up GW2, ESO, and ran scans with Malwarebytes and Security Essentials, with google chrome open.....did not top 6GB usage. I was doing this all at the same time with no issues at all.

8GB is fine for the foreseeable future, period, end of story. When games start coming close to using enough ram where you need 16GB it is the easiest upgrade in the world...buy it then when it is probably 50% cheaper too.

Naw breh, games have been recommending 8gb of RAM for a year now - I think it's really silly to assume they won't be using more anytime soon. It's about time games started using any more RAM. Going from 6gb to 16gb made a pretty big difference in the snappiness of my PC, especially if you like to have music and Chrome and other things running in the background. It's worth it alone just not to have to keep track of memory.

Then buy 8 more gb when that time comes, there is absolutely zero reason to buy it now if you are just gaming. By the time you need 16GB it will be half the price it is now. I just told you I purposely ran two virus scans, had two games running, and had chrome up posting what you replied to and I did not even crack 6GB....still had 2GB to spare. What magical game do you think is coming out in the next year that will need to use more than 8GB by itself?

If you upgrade from 6GB to 8GB I guarantee you that you would have seen the same improvement you saw skipping it and going straight to 16GB. You wasted your money.

Avatar image for kitty
kitty

115429

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#46 kitty  Moderator
Member since 2006 • 115429 Posts

@jun_aka_pekto said:

Hmmm. Can someone post a screenshot of Task Manager using over 8Gb of RAM along with the apps that are running?

I can just run my chrome browser and start playing skyrim I can come pretty close to 8GB. Just with AC Unity, Steam, and Skype, I see over 6.2GB or more used already.

Avatar image for jun_aka_pekto
jun_aka_pekto

25255

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

#47 jun_aka_pekto
Member since 2010 • 25255 Posts

I decided to do a test on my own. I have both Far Cry 3 and Crysis 3 running along with several other things (Origin, Uplay, etc) plus I recorded the video on my desktop.

Loading Video...