Memory and Gaming

wannabedamned · 9 May 2011 at 15:48

Most games are built with 32bit architecture in mind, due to the fact the current market is pretty much 32bit OS dominated.

Which means there is the 32bit Max Memory issue to contend with. 3-4GB including your video memory.

So my question is, When people are building these new gaming rigs with 8GB memory, Is money being poured down the drain? As it's likely games will rarely use more than 4GB, never mind venture up and towards 8GB. is the extra memory for elbow room? Is it there for background tasks running in the OS, to ensure they wont be leeching from game? What would you consider a memory sweet spot? Is buying large amounts of memory now a good idea? Upgrades and new Tech come that often, will you be buying 12-16GB memory once 8GB starts to see usage.

Just wondering what opinions are, and what people feel is enough or too much memory.

stulid · 9 May 2011 at 15:51

When I spec a gaming PC I usually pick 4GB of RAM.

If the OP is into video editing/music creation etc then 8GB of RAM gets picked.

But with 8GB of RAM being only £70, then sometimes I just stick it in anyways even if it is a gaming PC especially if the budget is nice and large and im struggling to spend it all

.

If the OP doesnt have a operating system then a 64BIT copy always goes into the mix.

95thrifles · 9 May 2011 at 15:53

4 gig is fine for current games usage, however considering the relatively cheap price of memory at the moment, if building a higher end machine, imo its worth putting the 8 gig in to allow for possible future use of more than 4 and as you say to allow a little extra room in case of high numbers of background apps/processes
re 32 bit OS, I dont think theres (m)any machines sold nowadays which still use 32 bit OS so it will be becoming obsolete in the near future when games developers may then start using more memory

Randomface74 · 9 May 2011 at 15:54

If you only have one screen with a full-screen game, yes, 4GB is fine.

If you run several games at once, with a movie. Then you need more.

I know this is something that EVE players in particular do a lot.

oliver2601 · 9 May 2011 at 15:55

I chose 8GB because I plan to keep my computer for a good 3+ years, and I don't like messing with things once they're already setup. For an extra £35 I think it's worth it because you know that you're not going to need anything more than that.

If I was building a budget PC however, I would only include 4GB.

Kaeo · 9 May 2011 at 15:56

Yeah as above. Although I mostly game, I do a little video editing and the difference is quite noticeable over time.
I also notice that x64 Win 7 always finds stuff to prefetch using most of the RAM anyway. More slots full is pretty.

honosuseri · 9 May 2011 at 16:07

A strange question really. Building rigs is a battle of purpose over budget

If you are building a new rig and also need an OS. You would buy 64bit over 32bit. We always try to "futureproof" ourselves as best we can. Memory is and has been the best bang for buck upgrade for computers not to mention the easiest to do.

Ideally you want to run the RAM in pairs or Tri-channel depending on mobo. So you either buy 2X2GB or 2X4GB depending on budget and your OS restriction obviously. As a gaming rig you concentrate on the gfx card more.

If you are on a tight budget the price off settling with 4GB rather than 8GB can help you get a better gfx card. If you do CAD or such like you may favour to have the extra ram and settle for a lower spec gfx card to get a better rounded system.

wannabedamned · 9 May 2011 at 16:19

Oh dont worry, I'm aware of spending to a budget, I'd personally go for 8GB on a dual-channel board aswell. Or if Tri-channelled 6GB, 3x2GB sticks. It's just sometimes the 30-40 quid that is used on wasted memory, could be added to a graphics card, a CPU, a PSU, a bluray writer, instead of a DVD writer.

I thought of this thread mainly because I've seen 16GB and 12GB specs for pure gaming rigs around the web. And it just makes me squirm. Just because they have the money, doesn't mean they need to bang in as much RAM as possible and spend more than is needed.

I completely understand the need to have more RAM for machines that would make use of it. Encoding and 3D work, etc.

Anyways, Personally I believe the sweet spot to be 6GB, 2GB OS room and 4GB+Video memory for gaming. 8GB memory is feasible, as on dual channel setups its cost effective. On a tri-channel, I'd stick to 6GB for a gaming machine, would not venture to the next step of 12GB. thats not cost effective, and a complete waste for gaming alone.

honosuseri · 9 May 2011 at 16:27

Can't say i've noticed that, certainly not on this forum.

For gaming rigs it's usually a loooong discussion over ideal PSU, SLI or X-fire/tri fire, which gfx card to use. This is the beauty of building rigs you by and large suit the machine to your taste/needs. If they can afford the extra RAM it certainly isn't hurting the system....far from it