Do I Need 8GB of Ram?

[anotheruser]

I am in the process of deciding what bits and pieces I need for a new build PC.

Here's some info about the build:

• It'll be a shuttle PC.
• The PC won't be doing anything like encoding videos (maybe the odd conversion but the last time I did that was well over a year ago).
• Runs a resolution of 1680×1050 (up to 1920 x 1080 on one or two games).
• Will run old games occasionally (Team Fortress 2, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 - nothing like Halo or Battlefield or anything like that).
• It'll have a GF GT 630 (1GB) graphics card.
• Won't be overclocking the system.

I already have some 4GB Kingston RAM, which I purchased about two years ago. It runs on the current system giving me no problems with anything I need to do. My current graphics card is a 4+ year old Ati 512Mb.

So do I really need up upgrade to 8GB in the new system?
I am half against upgrading as I don't think I will need it. I have settled on 1333Mhz as the case/mobo supports that and I won't need 1600Mhz as I'm not overclocking.

I am thinking no, which would save me between £30 and £60.

 

[scotsdragon]

Unless you have the 64 bit OS then you wont be able to get 8gb to show, i always get 8gb but thats because i like to have more than i need if 4 is doing you and your happy with it stick with it

 

[teppic]

8GB is a good bet these days as it's not much more than 2x2GB. For most people though 4GB is absolutely plenty, games won't even use that much.

 

[djxput]

yes you do

 

[GTO656]

Get 8GB if you still feel things are going slow.

 

[MagicBoy]

yes you do

No. He doesn't. How much RAM can a 32-bit app use?

 

[teppic]

You can run Windows 7 64bit in 2GB RAM and still play those kinds of games.

 

[Nevakonaza]

I noticed a difference in BF3 going from 4-8Gb of ram.

8Gb should be the default these days imo...you can easily go over 4GB if your editing a video,or running Virtual machines etc.

 

[OLDPHART]

Will be upgrading later this year definitely 8GB, as l do a bit of everything my X58 build has 12GB.

 

[Chris Beard]

No - 640K ought to be enough for anyone!

 

[TheVoice]

Nope, 4GB will be fine.

 

[Hakanese]

Nope, 4GB will be fine.

+1
For what you will be doing with the system 4gb is adequate mate

 

[VincentHanna]

I noticed a difference in BF3 going from 4-8Gb of ram.

8Gb should be the default these days imo...you can easily go over 4GB if your editing a video,or running Virtual machines etc.

All the things you mentioned are things the op said he definitely won't be doing...

 

[anotheruser]

Thanks for the input
I'll stick to 4Gb for now and perhaps add some later if I have some spare money

 

[teppic]

Given your needs you'd likely be wasting your money putting extra in - put it towards an SSD or something.

 

[85256638]

8GB is the best for windows 7

 

[McstylisT]

8GB is the best for windows 7

+1 This indeed for general terms to GET the best from win7. But for op's needs 4GB is adequate and the limit on a 32bit OS.

 

[roderz88]

I felt I had to upgrade from 4GB to 8GB of RAM with Skyrim and Battlefield 3. But you say you wont be running those sort of games so I could just tell you that 4GB will be fine. However, you may decide to upgrade your system in the future and decide that you want to run more advance games. Plus, an additional 4GB of RAM really isnt expensive these days. So I would say you may aswell upgrade, if you have a 64 bit OS.

 

[andy_mk3]

I'm using 3.3GB with just Chrome and Origin running. 8GB is the way forward, it's cheap enough!

 

[flinco]

I was using 8GB until I had some stability problems with 4 sticks. Now I'm down to 4GB for the last few weeks and have noticed pretty much zero difference.

So I would say stick to 4GB considering current pricing.