4 vs 8 gb ram

[caladin]

Will I notices a big differnace if I run 4 vs 8gb ram on the non server version? If so what differnaces might that be?

[NoaHall]

Yes, as long on a 64 bit version. 8 gb will be quicker, more powerful, and generally better. On a 32 bit system , the 8 gb will be pointless, as it will only be able to address 3.4 gb.

[wannadumpwindows]

That kind of depends of how much of your current ram you're actually using. If you're only using 1 gig right now, it probably won't help all that much.

On the other hand, if you're using all 4 gigs, there's a pretty good chance you'll notice an improvement.

There are all kinds of other factors, but that'd be the first thing I would look at.

[EmanuelO]

8GB is useless if you don't plan to make use of all that memory. It will only slow your computer down due to your data having to be spaced out on multiple sticks.

[NoaHall]

8GB is useless if you don't plan to make use of all that memory. It will only slow your computer down due to your data having to be spaced out on multiple sticks.

It won't slow it down - unless you use 32 bit.

[jerome1232]

8GB is useless if you don't plan to make use of all that memory. It will only slow your computer down due to your data having to be spaced out on multiple sticks.

This is so inaccurate.

A) Using multiple sticks is faster.

B) Ram is not a hard drive, it takes no extra time if data is shuffled around in it, there are no mechanical heads that have to move around.


But as others have said I don't think you will notice a huge difference unless you are doing some real memory intensive stuff. You will need a 64 bit kernel to take advantage of anything more than 4 GB though.

[Slim Odds]

I put together a 64 bit system recently and my 8GB of RAM was only $90.

It was a pretty easy choice. There's nothing like having plenty of memory.

[cmost]

Please don't fall into the trap that more is necessarily better. Trust me when I inform you that you will hardly notice any difference going from 4 GB to 8 GB of RAM. Unless you're rendering advanced 3D graphic models or producing intricate films with myriad special effects; CAD drawings, or crunching extremely large databases, you don't need 8GB of RAM. Sorry you wasted your money.

[Slim Odds]

Please don't fall into the trap that more is necessarily better. ...... Sorry you wasted your money.

Your opinion should probably be kept to yourself.

1) I like to give my VM's a couple of gigs of RAM.
2) Sometimes I like to run multiple VM's at the same time.
3) I like to be able to run lots of applications at the same time. Some use quite a bit of RAM.
4) Linux is smart enough to make use of the extra memory for cache even when I'm not eating it up with apps.
5) I never have to swap.

How much memory I want is based on my opinion of the value (which factors in cost).

So I did not waste my money. I value the extra 4G more than the $44.99+tax that I paid for it. If you don't, keep your money and your opinion.

[NoaHall]

Well said.

[tuxxy]

+1 SlimOdds, I couldn't agree more and as for wasting your money, well thats your choice and if you required extra RAM for the activities then obviously it was not wasted.

cmost just because your requirements from an OS differ from other users does not give you the right to dismiss their system as uneccessary.

If SlimOdds now has the ability to run double the amount of applications, perform activities quicker than before or for example run 3 virtual machines simultaneously with 2GB RAM then I doint think he wasted his money.

[cmost]

Your opinion should probably be kept to yourself.

1) I like to give my VM's a couple of gigs of RAM.
2) Sometimes I like to run multiple VM's at the same time.
3) I like to be able to run lots of applications at the same time. Some use quite a bit of RAM.
4) Linux is smart enough to make use of the extra memory for cache even when I'm not eating it up with apps.
5) I never have to swap.

How much memory I want is based on my opinion of the value (which factors in cost).

So I did not waste my money. I value the extra 4G more than the $44.99+tax that I paid for it. If you don't, keep your money and your opinion.

Excuse me? You solicited my opinion when you opened a thread entitled "4 GB vs. 8 GB." This implies you're seeking input, which I provided. So, it appears you actually will use a lot of RAM; therefore you didn't waste your money. A lot of people, however, purchase more, bigger, better computer hardware based on some ill-informed opinion that they need it (usually from an over eager sales person.) In reality though, they typically don't. Web browsing and sending out emails doesn't take a quad core super computer with 8 GB of RAM. Therefore, I stand by my original statement AND my opinion which I think others will value. Sorry you read too much into my comments and somehow took it personally.

[Slim Odds]

Excuse me? You solicited my opinion when you opened a thread entitled "4 GB vs. 8 GB." This implies you're seeking input, which I provided.

You're a little confused. I did not open this thread.

So, it appears you actually will use a lot of RAM;Yes, I do.

therefore you didn't waste your money.How kind of you to change your mind.

A lot of people, however, purchase more, bigger, better computer hardware based on some ill-informed opinion that they need it (usually from an over eager sales person.) In reality though, they typically don't. Web browsing and sending out emails doesn't take a quad core super computer with 8 GB of RAM.That may be true. Maybe you should ask what I do with my system before making such statements ("Trust me when I inform you..." and "Sorry you wasted your money.").

Therefore, I stand by my original statement AND my opinion which I think others will value.Your statement was based on a false assumption. You should be more careful.

Sorry you read too much into my comments and somehow took it personally.When you reply in the manner you did, it will most likely be taken personally.

[bodhi.zazen]

Yes, as long on a 64 bit version. 8 gb will be quicker, more powerful, and generally better. On a 32 bit system , the 8 gb will be pointless, as it will only be able to address 3.4 gb.

Both of these statements are untrue.

Linux is not windows and more ram will not give you better performance.

32 bit OS can use up to 64 Gb RAM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension

PAE is enabled by default on the server kernel. In Fedora there is a PAE kernel you can install, on Ubuntu either use the server kernel or compile your own.

8GB is useless if you don't plan to make use of all that memory. It will only slow your computer down due to your data having to be spaced out on multiple sticks.

This is also untrue.

The average desktop user will probably not use more then 2 Gb RAM tops. If you are using RAM intense applications, virtualization being a great example, then yes, wyou will need more RAM. This is the exception rather then the rule.

Open up all your applications you use, firefox, open office, whatever

Then look at the output of :

free -m

That will tell you how much RAM you are using.

Yes, Linux will use additional RAM if it is available, but ram use is different in Linux then Windows.

[SunnyRabbiera]

Will I notices a big differnace if I run 4 vs 8gb ram on the non server version? If so what differnaces might that be?

Well more then likely you wont need that much RAM unless you do heavy gaming, 3d stuff, or use windows vista ;)
To be honest 8GB of RAM is useless if you are not utilizing it, even 4GB might be too high if you are just a basic computer user.
But you have not specified on what you use your computer for.
For gaming the more RAM the better though

[caladin]

thank you for all the great replies.

I will using this for a few things.

1. Web
2. Emails
3. File server
4. Some video editing once I get this video camera figured out.

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And just so I understand. 64bit would be better for this overall. Do to the video editing part?

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This is my current build in case anyone wanted to know. As you can see I have 4GB currently.
CPU:
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX -
MotherBoard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 AM2+/AM2 AMD 740G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard -
Case:
Rosewill R102-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case -
Memory:
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory -
Hardrive:
(3) Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
PowerSupply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail -
DVD/RW
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 LightScribe Support -

[Slim Odds]

And just so I understand. 64bit would be better for this overall. Do to the video editing part?

Without a doubt.....

You have a quad core with 4G of RAM. Go 64 bit.