Is 8GB overkill for HTPC?

[skaughtz]

For an HTPC, is 8GB overkill? I have 4GB in right now and things seem fine, but with RAM so darn cheap I'm itching to drop another $20 just to snag another stick. But then again, no sense wasting money for no performance boost.

Thoughts?

 

[o1die]

I upgraded to 8 gb on my backup system, and 16 on my main unit. Sold the leftover on craigslist with an older board. With video, it helps. Newegg has gkill 8 gb on sale for under $30 after rebate and 10% off code, which may expire today. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424

 

[Branden]

i upgraded my HTPC from 4 to 8GB not too long ago.
was it necessary? no. was it worth it? sure, even if only so i could turn off virtual memory.

 

[nordlead]

I'm using 2GB in my Win 7 Home Premium HTPC. All it does is surf the web, play DVDs, and stream HD video from my file server. At the time 2GB was pretty expensive. I might upgrade it to 4GB.

 

[o1die]

Yes. I turned off page filing also for my small ssd. I also tried to turn off some windows background programs.

 

[DEY123]

I would say not worth it. I have 4GB in my HTPC. I am using an A6 APU so I have 1GB reserved for Graphics and I have yet to see my HTPC have less then 1 GB free space. Of course it depends how you are using it. I use mine for Viewing internet, video and TV only (outside of recording OTA TV).

For how you use your HTPC what feels slow / sluggish about it?

If nothing, then no reason to waste money on RAM at this point. RAM really only limits performance if you don't have enough.

If something seems slow it is much more likely to be either your network or HDD for viewing, and if you are doing any file conversions then your CPU.