RAM - How Much?

prescott28 · 10 Jan 2012 at 10:05

I am trying to sort out a new system as my Q6600 is getting on now and I thought I would upgrade to an i5 system. The bundles here look great value and I can't believe the over-clocking! Anyway -

How much RAM is it worth installing on a new i5 system? I am using 4GB presently but I see that 8GB isn't much extra and I want to be future-proof. Is there any benefit in going for 16GB perhaps?

SeraphX · 10 Jan 2012 at 13:22

It depends what you normally use the machine for tbh
>4Gb will suffice for just normal use Eg. browsing, emails etc etc
>8Gb if you game at all
>16Gb if you do photo editing, video editing etc etc
You shouldn't need more than 16Gb tbh, well not on an i5 system anyways

prescott28 · 10 Jan 2012 at 14:55

Thanks! I do office things but also play games - just waiting for GTA V for example. 8GB seems to be thing thing to go for then - and the cost on bundles here isn't much.

Thanks for the help.

Nick1881 · 10 Jan 2012 at 19:31

Is my 6Gb x58 system old hat now then? Should I increase to 12Gb or just wait to upgrade?

cammy5477 · 10 Jan 2012 at 19:53

Nick1881 said:
Is my 6Gb x58 system old hat now then? Should I increase to 12Gb or just wait to upgrade?

6gb is ample for a x58 system id say it was the sweet spot

beejjacobs · 10 Jan 2012 at 19:54

Nick1881 said:
Is my 6Gb x58 system old hat now then? Should I increase to 12Gb or just wait to upgrade?

It is old yeah, but still a great system. For gaming 6Gb should be plenty.

horrorwood · 10 Jan 2012 at 20:02

Personally i'd buy 16gb whilst it is cheap. It seems we will be on DDR3 for a while, eventually it will go back up in price.

Just look at the price of DDR2 and DDR1 now...

SeraphX · 10 Jan 2012 at 20:28

Nick1881 said:
Is my 6Gb x58 system old hat now then? Should I increase to 12Gb or just wait to upgrade?

Sorry lol i was pointing with reference to modern systems, Dual & Quad channel etc etc, and yes, it is old hat

Nightglow · 10 Jan 2012 at 20:31

horrorwood said:
Personally i'd buy 16gb whilst it is cheap. It seems we will be on DDR3 for a while, eventually it will go back up in price.

Just look at the price of DDR2 and DDR1 now...

+1

I have upgraded all four pc's to 16gb each, & if memory prices rise, I can always sell 8gb & still make some profit.

Buy it while it's cheap, bound to rise soon in price , we have had it too cheap too long.