Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 139734 2015-06-18 10:40:00 How little ram is to little in a home computer Vince (406) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1403118 2015-06-19 03:26:00 You can't discuss amount of RAM without considering whether 32 bit or 64 bit OS, obviously Terry Porritt (14)
1403119 2015-06-19 03:38:00 This little netbook HP touchsmart 10
Has 2GB DDR3 and a feeble AMD dual core 1 GHz APU
Runs Win 8.1 x64 no worries
a bit on the slow side but adequate for basic tasks
But, it can't be upgraded as RAM is soldered on
as I discovered when I took it to bits to put an SSD in it.
support.hp.com

I wouldn't recommend one though, unless you get it for nothing like I did (previous owner had a tanty and threw it on the floor, HDD died of course, so he gave it away and bought something else).

So, more RAM would be nice if you can manage it.
KarameaDave (15222)
1403120 2015-06-19 04:32:00 I think you can Terry. 4GB is plenty for most users with either 32 or 64GB windows. 2GB is enough for moderate use if you don't multitask too much or do any thing too demanding. My tablet runs 8.1 on 2GB and is surprisingly useful. For Gamers and heavy users 8GB is the sweet spot and requires a 64 bit version of windows. Anyone who needs more than 8GB should know what they need it for and why.

My thoughts are;
1GB - horrible
2GB - fair to middling
4GB - very good (max for 32bit)
8GB - excellent
16GB - excessive for most people, power users only. Probably a waste of money(my next build will have 16GB just because I can)

A lot of machines sold for gaming (or just the more expensive models) have 16GB RAM and i7 processors paired with mid range or worse graphics cards not because you need either but because they are marketable numbers. It's spending the money in the wrong place though, a better graphics card with half as much RAM and an i5 would game better almost always and is what a gamer on a budget would build for themselves.

Windows 7 onwards is very good at using extra RAM for caching when not needed for other tasks which can improve the overall "snappiness" of a machine. It's also why these OSs don't show a lot of free RAM when you check because windows uses it. The RAM is still available for programs on demand though.
dugimodo (138)
1403121 2015-06-19 05:32:00 Take the MS guidelines with a grain of salt. Eg. Vista barely walked, let alone ran on the minimum requirements ;)
Windows Vista Home Basic - 512 megabytes (MB) of system memory
Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate - 1 GB of system memory

Seen plenty of Win 7 laptops with 2GB, and they are really painful.... doesn't help when people install CrapAfee or AVG on them though.
Renegade (16270)
1403122 2015-06-23 09:59:00 4GB is fine for most people at the moment. I upgraded to 8GB though for gaming and other RAM-heavy programs.

My laptop has 3GB and has no issues with all the 'usual' activities.
Agent_24 (57)
1403123 2015-06-23 10:48:00 I am a heavy Multitasker. I have had low memory messages once or twice. 111GB SSD. C drive. Vince (406)
1403124 2015-06-23 11:56:00 If you have had low memory messages in the past then considering upgrading your RAM may be a sensible idea. The same messages were part of the reason why I upgraded mine. You will also need to upgrade to a 64-bit OS for anything above 4GB, of course, if you don't already have one.

Not sure what the size of your SSD has to do with it though?
Agent_24 (57)
1403125 2015-06-23 12:11:00 The small SSD was getting full, so I got an internal Terra Byte drive to move things to, but dont know what must not B moved.
My computer was built as 64 bit, including OS.
Vince (406)
1403126 2015-06-23 14:00:00 You need to consider the storage

2gb is not horrible at all, its because you have spinning rust storage

Even a Windows 8.1 tablet costing $150 with 1gb of ram is ok with eMMC flash. Especially if your just using a browser etc

And 2gb is perfectly fine too, but yes with the cost of ram being pretty cheap get however much you can afford
nmercer (3899)
1403127 2015-06-23 20:17:00 8GB - excellent
16GB - excessive for most people, power users only. Probably a waste of money(my next build will have 16GB just because I can)
.

LOL.

I have 16GB. Because it's so cheap.
pctek (84)
1 2 3