Is 8GB Enough Memory for a Uni Laptop?

Random Guy Esq. · 4 Dec 2018 at 11:40

Hi folks. I'll be buying a new laptop over the Christmas break but being an impoverished mature student, the budget is tight. I'd like to get a lower tiered discrete GPU for 1080P gaming (something akin to a 1050Ti or 1060), but doing so likely means skimping on RAM, or getting a smaller SSD for example. Obviously I won't be playing anything on high settings. Uni tasks will range from basic office/productivity and internetting, to stats and bioinformatics. Is 8GB enough for such a machine, or would I ideally need 16GB?

bremen1874 · 4 Dec 2018 at 11:45

I'd say that 8GB would be enough but buy a laptop that's capable of taking a memory upgrade.

Is playing games really a priority?

Random Guy Esq. · 4 Dec 2018 at 11:53

bremen1874 said:
I'd say that 8GB would be enough but buy a laptop that's capable of taking a memory upgrade.

Is playing games really a priority?

Thanks for the quick reply.

No, it's a want rather than a need. (but you could say that for all video gaming really

)

My home machine is woefully out of date (E8400 and a GTX460), so this laptop would completely replace it - a college machine Mon-Fri and be used for light gaming at the weekends.

Minstadave · 4 Dec 2018 at 11:54

I'd have no concerns with 8GB for your use. Ideally with space to upgrade down the line if possible.

Random Guy Esq. · 4 Dec 2018 at 13:40

Minstadave said:
I'd have no concerns with 8GB for your use. Ideally with space to upgrade down the line if possible.

Cheers - I'll look at models that can take an upgrade!

ExoMale · 4 Dec 2018 at 14:48

Unless you need to play pc games then get a console if you haven’t already and a decent all round laptop work etc, seems to be what a lot of students do especially if your on a tight budget.

8gb will be enough either way.

Random Guy Esq. · 4 Dec 2018 at 15:02

ExoMale said:
Unless you need to play pc games then get a console if you haven’t already and a decent all round laptop work etc, seems to be what a lot of students do especially if your on a tight budget.

8gb will be enough either way.

Cheers, but I need my strategy fix!

orbitalwalsh · 4 Dec 2018 at 15:42

hope much is your budget , ITX build if you happen to have a monitor at hand

bremen1874 · 4 Dec 2018 at 15:51

Speak like Yoda day?

Random Guy Esq. · 4 Dec 2018 at 18:29

orbitalwalsh said:
hope much is your budget , ITX build if you happen to have a monitor at hand

Heh, not an option unfortunately.