8GB or 16GB for light video editing?

[rdfiasco]

Hey guys, working on putting together a new build. I'll be using it for gaming, programming, and some light video editing just using Windows Movie Maker.

From my research, I've been able to learn that gaming doesn't require or even really utilize more than 8GB of RAM, but everyone says that for video editing, the more the better. All the threads I've seen on that though seemed to be talking about more serious editing with tools like Adobe Premiere or Sony Vegas, whereas I'll pretty much just be fixing up and doing some basic editing of gameplay videos with WMM.

I was originally planning to go with 16GB (2x8GB) since I figured more memory is always better, and so that when I upgrade in the future, those slots would already be maxed out, and I wouldn't have to eventually replace 2x4GB sticks. Now I'm thinking that may not be the best option, so I'm just trying to figure out if the benefits of the extra memory would be enough to justify the extra cost, or if I'd be better off just saving on the memory to be able to spend more on a graphics card.

EDIT: I was lazy and didn't bother posting the hardware I'm planning to buy, but I should have known better:
Gigabyte GA-990FX-UD3, AMDFX-8350 @ 4.0GHz, choosing between G.Skill DDR3 1600 2x4GB or 2x8GB.

 

[Tradesman1]

Not sure what hardware you have (CPU/mobo) but 2x8GB is better on basically all but a quad channel mobo and basically that's limited to X79 mobos. 2x8 is less stress on the MC than a 4x4GB config....and 16GB is a good choice, I've found most that go to do a 'little' video editing, end up getting into bigger projects (and then there's those that throw their hands up and just quir 😉 )

 

[rdfiasco]

Not sure what hardware you have (CPU/mobo) but 2x8GB is better on basically all but a quad channel mobo and basically that's limited to X79 mobos. 2x8 is less stress on the MC than a 4x4GB config....and 16GB is a good choice, I've found most that go to do a 'little' video editing, end up getting into bigger projects (and then there's those that throw their hands up and just quir 😉 )

Thanks Tradesman, but I'm not sure if you understood the question. I'm trying to choose between 2x4GB or 2x8GB. I just can't decide whether I need the extra 8GB based on my use.

 

[Tradesman1]

Saw that, would still go 16GB, if you look around at stores, in ads, etc, pretty much 6-8GB is entry level, and the far bulk of those people aren't thinking video editing/rendering. If you were my client I'd suggest 16GB....but it's up to you....couple things to keep in mind though, if you go 2x4 and decide it's not enough, then you'll face a worse decision (especially if you get 1600 or above), do I try and add another 2x2GB kit which can quite often be problematic (at 1600 and above, the sticks may not play together nice even if you get the same exact model, XMP won't work properly as it's programmed by the set and the advanced timings can differ from a 2 stick set to a 4 stick set (tRFC basically always goes up the more sticks in a set) or do you go to a 2x8GB, and find you wasted the bucks on the initial 2x4

 

[rdfiasco]

Saw that, would still go 16GB, if you look around at stores, in ads, etc, pretty much 6-8GB is entry level, and the far bulk of those people aren't thinking video editing/rendering. If you were my client I'd suggest 16GB....but it's up to you....couple things to keep in mind though, if you go 2x4 and decide it's not enough, then you'll face a worse decision (especially if you get 1600 or above), do I try and add another 2x2GB kit which can quite often be problematic (at 1600 and above, the sticks may not play together nice even if you get the same exact model, XMP won't work properly as it's programmed by the set and the advanced timings can differ from a 2 stick set to a 4 stick set (tRFC basically always goes up the more sticks in a set) or do you go to a 2x8GB, and find you wasted the bucks on the initial 2x4

Thanks for the input! Anyone else?

 

[Tradesman1]

If you need any more info, give me a shout

 

[rdfiasco]

Thanks again for the info, Tradesman1. I've decided I'm just going to go with a single 8GB module to try to save some money. That way if I find I'm lacking performance, I can just purchase another one without any hassle. I realize I'll be losing the dual-channel benefits going this route, but if all goes well, the 8GB will be just enough to hold me over until I can afford to invest in another 8GB. That way I'll be able to throw a little more money at the graphics card. Hopefully memory costs don't keep rising!

 

[Tradesman1]

Actually on the lower end, will prob continue to drop, with Haswell out more and more are going to higher freqs, which lessens the demand for lower freq DRAM and can drop the price as an incentive to push them

 

[rdfiasco]

New question...
I just came across this deal on Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220734
After the MIR and a Promo Code, I can get 16GB DDR3 1600MHz for about $85. I noticed, though, that the product description says that it's optimized for AMD 9 and FM series processors. As I said above, I'm planning on going with the FX-8350, so I'm afraid I'll lose some performance. Would I be better off going with the G.Skill modules I mentioned in the OP, or is this a good deal?

 

[Tradesman1]

Either set will be fine, not sure what they mean by optimized for AMD, if is the sticks being staid and simple, then maybe, but these are nothing more than basic 1600 sticks with more or less stock 9-9-9-24 2T, 1.5 volt sticks - and I know with Intel, sticks can be optimized through advanced timings and base timings, but nothing really I've ever seen for any AMDs, their MCs (memory controllers) aren't really strong enough to tweak sticks