8gb of RAM vs. 16gb of ram

So I'm debating wether to get 8gb or 16gb of RAM for my new rig. I'll be playing games such as Battlefield 3 and CS etc. Would it be worth it to get the 16gb? I don't want to spend the extra money if I don't have to. I don't know much about RAM so that's why I'm asking.

Thanks for any help.

There aren't any games that use anywhere near 8 GB of RAM, let alone 16.

Get the 8 GB.

16gigs cause it's cheapJigglyWiggly_

There aren't any games that use anywhere near 8 GB of RAM, let alone 16.

Get the 8 GB.

Riadon2

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]16gigs cause it's cheapJgamer125

There aren't any games that use anywhere near 8 GB of RAM, let alone 16.

Get the 8 GB.

Riadon2

The most RAM I've ever seen a game use was STALKER:Call of Pripyat modded at 4 GB.

8 GB is the best amount you can buy, 16 GB is just for bragging rights when it comes to gaming.

Looks like 8gb it is then. Thanks everyone.

I'm idling 8.35gigs right now everyone madJigglyWiggly_

Windows will use it if you have it, but it won't make much of a performance difference and is next to useless for games.

Unless you do serious photoshopping, video editing or use a lot of VMs then 8GB is fine

I'm idling 8.35gigs right now everyone madJigglyWiggly_

Unless you do serious photoshopping, video editing or use a lot of VMs then 8GB is fine

kraken2109

That is the only reason to go over 8gb. Image editing. That or if you are into virtualization. The most i have seen my pc use is 9gb and that is with stalker COP running , chrome browser with about 10tabs , media player classic playing a movie and Vmware using windows xp as a virtual machine and using 4gb of ram

Besides ram upgrade is the easiest and cheapest upgrade you can do so if you feel is not enough just upgrade and with DDR3 not going anywhere anytime soon upgrade path should be viable for years to come

Besides ram upgrade is the easiest and cheapest upgrade you can do so if you feel is not enough just upgrade and with DDR3 not going anywhere anytime soon upgrade path should be viable for years to come

This ^^ Just make sure to grab an 8 gig kit made up of 2 x 4, and then if you feel the need you can always pick up 8 gb in the future. Also if you have a dedicated video card no need to go over 1600mhz

What people fail to realize in this thread is that operating systems are designed to use up as much ram as the computer has, and with more, it will keep more stuff cached and run a little faster.

If an extra 8gb of ram is like 20 or 30 dollars, I think it is probably worth it.

8GB is more than enough for now. I would still get 16GB just cause it's cheap.

go 16gigs and then set up a RAM disk.

I am putting one stick of 8gigs in mine and buying a second stick later on.AmazonTreeBoa

DONT DO THIS! Your PC uses what is called dual channel memory which means to running at 100% you need 2 sticks, just one will affect your system performance. You will often see this clearly as your motherboard will have paired slots for the memory, Either get 2 x 8 now and bite the bullet or 2 x4 now and upgrade latter with another 2 x 4.

Lots of mixed feedback here. Just get the 8GBs. 8GBs is more than what you would need anyway.

8 Should be fine for now, you can always easily upgrade if need be.

go 16gigs and then set up a RAM disk.

Yagnav

[QUOTE="Yagnav"]

go 16gigs and then set up a RAM disk.

horgen123

[QUOTE="horgen123"][QUOTE="Yagnav"]

go 16gigs and then set up a RAM disk.

Yagnav

I have 8 gb on mine. The only time my PC goes over 4gb usage is if I'm playing FSX or X-Plane 9 especially on long flights. I'm guessing those games keep track of my flight route and any AI along the route.

16 Gigs for certain. I've already taken my Ram usage well beyond 8GB. It's so damn cheap for 16 that anyone who tells you not to is basically wrong. Do it...for the future!

If you're only playing some simple games, i can see that 8GB is fine but I wouldn't risk it especially knowing how cheap it is.

for games 8gb should be more than enough,but if you have to money to burn why not get 16gb

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I am putting one stick of 8gigs in mine and buying a second stick later on.5SI-GonePostal

DONT DO THIS! Your PC uses what is called dual channel memory which means to running at 100% you need 2 sticks, just one will affect your system performance. You will often see this clearly as your motherboard will have paired slots for the memory, Either get 2 x 8 now and bite the bullet or 2 x4 now and upgrade latter with another 2 x 4.

[QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]I'm idling 8.35gigs right now everyone madAlexKidd5000

I don't even know

I haven't rebooted in forever [spoiler]

[/spoiler] easier url https://dl.dropbox.com/u/46294175/gamespot/vgrd.png

[QUOTE="AlexKidd5000"][QUOTE="JigglyWiggly_"]I'm idling 8.35gigs right now everyone madJigglyWiggly_

I don't even know

I haven't rebooted in forever [spoiler]

[/spoiler] easier url https://dl.dropbox.com/u/46294175/gamespot/vgrd.png

Why has nobody here mentioned timings, clock, or bothered to ask the TC what other hardware he's using?

Ex: What is your MB? What is your CPU? Are you sure the RAM you're looking to buy is compatible? QVL Learn about it

Why has nobody here mentioned timings, clock, or bothered to ask the TC what other hardware he's using?

Ex: What is your MB? What is your CPU? Are you sure the RAM you're looking to buy is compatible? QVL Learn about it

Snotweasel530

^^^THIS.....

as for how much one needs or should get, ram is the cheapest it's been in years. Whether 8GB (which in most cases is more than one needs) or 16GB (even if one won't use all this memory)...if spending a few extra dollars isn't the issue, then get the extra memory. Way to many good deals on 8 and 16GB kits of ram going on now to pass up.

But as the reply above mentioned, it's a good idea to determine what your MB will support, what types of ram are compatible with it and can it properly utilize the needs of your cpu.

*+

16GB, 8GB isn't enough for all your needs.

16GB, 8GB isn't enough for all your needs.

mitu123

BS.

16GB, 8GB isn't enough for all your needs.

mitu123

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

16GB, 8GB isn't enough for all your needs.

Toxic-Seahorse

[QUOTE="Toxic-Seahorse"][QUOTE="mitu123"]

16GB, 8GB isn't enough for all your needs.

mitu123

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="Toxic-Seahorse"] Is that so? Because it's working great for me. I have never gone above 6gb of ram being used.Toxic-Seahorse

Palemoon Also Love Ram but i heard when you got 16GB you can install Window on it called XRAM DISK which make game Loading nearly instant and during sales especially like Black friday Week which often start 22 november night to november 27 you can get like 16GB C9 Latency at 47.99$ for G-SKILL ripjaw. that what i paid for 2x4 GB C9 Latency last year

but for me 8GB is Overkill at is current state if game could all use more then 2.5GB from what i read in few hardware Article year ago it also related to how much GPU card you got. if you got 2x 7970 3GB then ur using up 2x more ram then someone who have one video card :

mitu123 you have a GTX 670 4GB ? so Doesn't it use more memory then the typical graphic card owner whol have between 1GB and 2GB ? but then again i think ur gaming at 1440P im gaming at 1080P lol

but sometime when im playing planetside 2 and i alt-tab it seem it show im using around 6.5GB . so still 1.5GB FREE i never get close to use all my ram :P

mitu123 you have a GTX 670 4GB ? so Doesn't it use more memory then the typical graphic card owner whol have between 1GB and 2GB ?

marcthpro

[QUOTE="Toxic-Seahorse"][QUOTE="mitu123"] I get more than 6GB usage every single day on average, at 7GB right now...

mitu123

[QUOTE="marcthpro"]

mitu123 you have a GTX 670 4GB ? so Doesn't it use more memory then the typical graphic card owner whol have between 1GB and 2GB ?

mitu123

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="marcthpro"]

mitu123 you have a GTX 670 4GB ? so Doesn't it use more memory then the typical graphic card owner whol have between 1GB and 2GB ?

godzillavskong

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="Toxic-Seahorse"] What the hell are you doing that uses that much ram? I'm at 1.87gb right now.godzillavskong

[QUOTE="godzillavskong"][QUOTE="mitu123"] Yes, and games like Crysis, Crysis 2, Max Payne 3, Serious Sam 3, Skyrim, BF3, Metro 2033, etc. use more than 2GB VRAM.

mitu123

[QUOTE="mitu123"]

[QUOTE="godzillavskong"] Yeah, I found that out when I was trying to max out Max Payne 3. Even with 2 6870s, I was limited by the 1gb of VRAM, therefore I couldn't max out a certain setting. It said I reached my VRAM limit.godzillavskong