Memory - Need Less?

mikegs · mikegs #1 (**permalink**)

01-16-2011, 10:11 AM

I am thinking about my next Macbook Pro. Historically I have always maxed out the memory to 8 GB. Is 4 GB enough? I ran the most intensive "event" I think I would ever do; converted 100 RAW image files to DNG files through Adobe Lightroom 3. While this event was running I had a few other applications running including HandBrake converting a 4 GB m4v to AppleTV format, Apple Mail, and Safari.

Activity monitor shows 5.8 GB of free memory (meaning I'm only using 2.2 GB) with the CPU at 97%. Isn't this saying I have way more memory than I need but a bump up in processor could help things along?

Thanks

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

01-16-2011, 10:20 AM

My guess would be you did that test after a fresh boot and you would probably hit a much higher used percentage after the machine had been up and running for a week or two. However, 4GB is going to be enough for the vast majority of users.

A faster CPU never hurts if you're doing any sort of video conversion.

pigoo3 · pigoo3 #3 (**permalink**)

01-16-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikegs

I am thinking about my next Macbook Pro. Historically I have always maxed out the memory to 8 GB.

Depends on what you mean by "historically". Most Apple computers have only been able to hold 8 gig of ram since 2009:

- iMacs: March, 2009
- Mac-mini's: March, 2009
- MacBook Pro's: January, 2009
- MacBook's: October, 2009
- Mac Pro's: August, 2006
- Powermac G5's: June, 2003

So if you "historically" have been using Powermac G5's or Mac Pro's...then there certainly is some "history" of being able to use 8 gig of ram in those computers (although very expensive, especially back in 2003).

But if we're talking other model Macintosh computers (iMac's, Mac-mini's, MacBooks, MacBook Pro's)...there really is not that much "history" of being able to upgrade to 8 gig of ram...since these models have only been capable of 8 gig since 2009 (approx. 2 years).

Even by today's standards...8 gig of ram is a LOT of ram for the average user. I would imagine 8 gig of ram (or more) only needed by "Power Users" dealing with very complex Photoshop or video editing projects.

- Nick

osxx · osxx #4 (**permalink**)

01-16-2011, 12:06 PM

Keep in mind 4GB now is a lot different than a few years ago jumping from 667 MHz DDR2
to !066 MHz DDR3 and as much in the front side bus so 4GB does a lot.

mikegs · mikegs #5 (**permalink**)

01-17-2011, 08:43 AM

Thanks all.

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,794 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	01-16-2011, 10:20 AM My guess would be you did that test after a fresh boot and you would probably hit a much higher used percentage after the machine had been up and running for a week or two. However, 4GB is going to be enough for the vast majority of users. A faster CPU never hurts if you're doing any sort of video conversion. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
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mikegs #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 22	01-16-2011, 10:11 AM I am thinking about my next Macbook Pro. Historically I have always maxed out the memory to 8 GB. Is 4 GB enough? I ran the most intensive "event" I think I would ever do; converted 100 RAW image files to DNG files through Adobe Lightroom 3. While this event was running I had a few other applications running including HandBrake converting a 4 GB m4v to AppleTV format, Apple Mail, and Safari. Activity monitor shows 5.8 GB of free memory (meaning I'm only using 2.2 GB) with the CPU at 97%. Isn't this saying I have way more memory than I need but a bump up in processor could help things along? Thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

osxx #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 19, 2008 Location: houston texas Posts: 3,930 Mac Specs: 15 MacBook Pro 2009 32GB iPad 4 32GB iPhone 5 Apple TV 3 AEBS/AE	01-16-2011, 12:06 PM Keep in mind 4GB now is a lot different than a few years ago jumping from 667 MHz DDR2 to !066 MHz DDR3 and as much in the front side bus so 4GB does a lot.
	QUOTE Thanks

mikegs #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 22	01-17-2011, 08:43 AM Thanks all.
	QUOTE Thanks

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