Machines are definitely coming with more RAM these days. Prices dropped, so increasing RAM became very feasible for manufacturers to do.
So, let’s talk about RAM.
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RAM and speed
Whether or not more RAM would be better depends on exactly how you use your computer and what it is that you do. Clearly, the Solid State Drive was a good idea. Whether or not additional RAM will have an impact on your overall computer’s speed is really difficult to say. It’s a function of what programs you run, how much RAM they require, and even how many programs you run at the same time.
For example, I run a desktop with 8 GB. That’s plenty for me except when I want to run more than one virtual machine. That’s when I wish I could add more RAM. My machine is five years old and 8 GB is its physical limit.
My guess is that more than 8 GB won’t help most people today. To make sure that your machine can be upgraded, my advice is to think about the future. Make sure that your machine can be as useful for as long as possible – perhaps by adding that extra RAM to it someday when it’s really needed.
For now, what I’d do is run Process Explorer. Hit Ctrl+I in Process Explorer and you’ll get a summary. Watch the memory usage. If it never approaches 8 GB, then you’re in fine shape – for now.
Leo –
Hi. All other things being equal, including the total cost of the Windows 7 PC’s, what would be a better purchase from a performance standpoint: (a) a system with 8 GB of RAM and an Intel i3 processor (3.7 GHz, dual core), or (b) a system with 4 GB of RAM and an Intel i5 process (2.0 GHz, quad core)? This is for a user who is not a gamer and won’t be doing things that are CPU intensive.
Thanks…
Offhand I’d probably opt for a. On any new machine another important factor is not how much ram it HAS, but how much COULD it have. Adding RAM later can often lengthen a machine’s life.