Is buying 128GB RAM overkill?

sybaris · 14 Jun 2021 at 19:14

Hi
OK so I am building a new PC for many different home uses, a bit of conferencing, streaming, games and some 4K movies.

Is 128GB overkill? Would 64 be plenty or if I have the budget then take advantage of it?
(Looking at 3600s with a Ryzen 9)

EsaT · 14 Jun 2021 at 19:16

Already 64GB would be overkill.
Unless you're doing all those simultaneously in VMs.

Tetras · 14 Jun 2021 at 20:01

If you have to ask, then it's overkill. those uses don't suggest 128GB to me.

Deleted member 77746 · 14 Jun 2021 at 20:14

How much are you using now?

MissChief · 14 Jun 2021 at 20:32

Even 32GB is overkill for your usage really. 64 is pointless, 128 is just wasting money. If you want to future proof slightly, go for 32GB with 2x 16GB DIMMS and then you can add another 32GB later if you like.

BallistixOnZ490 · 14 Jun 2021 at 20:37

2x16 Gb is actually likely to be better because it will run at higher frequencies and better timings than higher density / more modules.

CreamyNutella · 14 Jun 2021 at 22:00

32gb should be the max considering what you said you're doing.

sybaris · 14 Jun 2021 at 22:02

Using 16gb at the moment and it’s a bit old and laggy, but I have budget to go to 128.

Maybe fast 2x32

Kurgen · 14 Jun 2021 at 22:16

sybaris said:
Using 16gb at the moment and it’s a bit old and laggy, but I have budget to go to 128.

Maybe fast 2x32

then theres somethinig wrong with your PC, wahts the rest of spec

BigStevieTT · 14 Jun 2021 at 22:17

Yes!
Should you do it?
YES!
If you can afford it, why not?

Kurgen · 14 Jun 2021 at 22:18

because it wont do anything

Gray2233 · 14 Jun 2021 at 22:19

BigStevieTT said:
Yes!
Should you do it?
YES!
If you can afford it, why not?

Because it's a massive waste of money and he'll never come even remotely close to ever using that much memory with that platform and his suggested use case.

Nutty_Death · 14 Jun 2021 at 23:08

It's pointless but you seem to want to waste money so I guess you'll do it anyway.

Rannoch · 14 Jun 2021 at 23:11

Massive waste of cash.

sybaris · 14 Jun 2021 at 23:46

So what do you think then, go less RAM and better GPU?

tamzzy · 15 Jun 2021 at 00:12

sybaris said:
So what do you think then, go less RAM and better GPU?

correct

JasonM · 15 Jun 2021 at 02:01

32gb is plenty for you.

I use 64gb, however that's a software development machine running, multiple databases etc, and I'm lucky to see 32GB of the 64GB in use.

There is a luxury in having large amounts of memory however, it gives lots of space for Windows standby to cache files - as I type this I have 21GB stored in standby files, and that's a beautiful thing as cached files are faster then the fastest solid state storage. For example in games you can reload a game map, and often it will reload from standby memory, if you have the space for standby memory to cache it of course.

Also you can have open so many different screens, applications and everything is very fluid, that said 32gb is still plenty for your situation.

LordBeggar · 15 Jun 2021 at 04:23

sybaris said:
Hi
OK so I am building a new PC for many different home uses, a bit of conferencing, streaming, games and some 4K movies.

Is 128GB overkill? Would 64 be plenty or if I have the budget then take advantage of it?
(Looking at 3600s with a Ryzen 9)

64gb is more than enough for anything but for your needs 32 is fine but go with 64 because it will be future proof

Nutty_Death · 15 Jun 2021 at 06:36

LordBeggar said:
64gb is more than enough for anything but for your needs 32 is fine but go with 64 because it will be future proof

32gb is future proof.
16gb is fine for the light use for the ops use case.

Also it's ram, just get more if your use case changes and you need more.

LordBeggar · 15 Jun 2021 at 08:28

Nutty_Death said:
32gb is future proof.
16gb is fine for the light use for the ops use case.

Also it's ram, just get more if your use case changes and you need more.

But not if you are editing videos.