What is your ram size?

[cheesesubs]

what is the ram size for genral consumer these day? please roll and discuss 😀

 

[jprahman]

4GB of DDR 3 is pretty much standard for most builds today, 6GB for triple channel LGA1366, although with low RAM prices I'm seeing more builds with 8GB.

 

[someguynamedmatt]

I'm running 12GB of DDR3-1333 right now. Typically, most PCs are around 4GB, as jprah said.

 

[photonboy]

How much RAM to use is very well understood. Here's the basics:

1) 2GB is adequate for Windows 7 for basic office and web; most VIDEO GAMES will run just fine in a high-end system with 2GB but not all
2) 3GB will provide faster multi-tasking than 2GB; almost all VIDEO GAMES will run perfectly
3) 4GB is optimal for most; ALL VIDEO GAMES have sufficient RAM available and will not benefit from more RAM during game play
4) *4GB+

*a requirement for more than 4GB of System RAM is unlikely. You would need to be processing massive RAW photos or doing professional video editing. Alternatively you could be doing a HUGE amount of multi-tasking but that scenario is extremely unlikely.

The testing done on this is EXTENSIVE. In general, most people should get 4GB. Gamers with triple-Channel Memory (1366) should use 6GB.

While RAM is extremely cheap, simply purchasing 12GB without a need is not recommended as it adds a lot of extra heat which translates to fan noise and a slightly larger power bill. It can even slow you down (very slightly).

 

[cheesesubs]

didn't realize 4gb of ram is still the mainstream. i got 7 rig in my house and 5 of 7 are still 4gb 😀 one is 12gb and another is 8gb


keep going 😀

 

[mavroxur]

my ram size is 12 inches, unbuffed.

 

[JDFan]

The 4gb average is going to remain for awhile (even though RAM prices are dropping) due to the way memory usage is setup --- figure if you have a 32 bit OS then 4GB. is the max you would want due to OS limitations -- and even on 64 bit the max most programs can use individually in order to remain useable on 32 bit platforms is 2GB. for an application so unless you are multi tasking and running several applications you'll rarely use more than the 4GB (2GB. for the OS and background apps and 2GB for the active program) - so until all systems support 64bit the software is going to be designed to be useable on a 32 bit system and it's limitations will keep 4GB. as the mainstream users average amount of memory.

 

[jaquith]

As prices go down the 'size' has going up for DDR3, I've been seeing people getting 2X4GB and 3X4GB kits very frequently. Larger sizes are required for rendering work, but not for general computing.

The recommended is as follows:
32-bit OS -> 2GB Dual Channel --- 32-bit is VERY RARELY used in LGA 1366/LGA 2010 then 3GB.
64-bit OS -> 4GB Dual Channel & Tri Channel 6GB LGA 1366/LGA 2010.

The limits for 32-bit OS addressing is 4GB with 3.2~3.5GB usable. Windows 7 Starter 2 GB limit.

The limits for 64-bit OS addressing are as follows, and require a 64-bit CPU in Windows 7:
Windows 7 Ultimate 192 GB
Windows 7 Enterprise 192 GB
Windows 7 Professional 192 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 16 GB
Windows 7 Home Basic 8 GB
Windows 7 Starter 2 GB

More info http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx

 

[ensignlee]

With newegg's crazy pricing lately, I don't see why people just wouldn't be springing for 8GB of DDR3. Yeah, it's prob overkill, but with 4GB RAM for $25 sometimes, I mean really, how much are you saving?

 

[jaquith]

ANS For 'me' - "What is your ram size?"

Desktops:
Everyday X58 - 6GB {3X2GB}
Pseudo X58 Workstations - 12GB {3X4GB} some are 6GB

Gaming Rigs:
EVGA 4-WAY SLI Classified XL - 12GB {6X2GB} ; started as {3X2GB}
EVGA SR-2 24GB {2 banks of 3X4GB}

Workstations/Servers {ECC}:
Super Micro 24GB {2 banks of 3X4GB}
Mac Pro 32GB {2 banks of 4X4GB}
Servers vary from 4GB min to 64GB

 

[InvaderZim]

4x2GB DDR3-1600MHz Corsair XMS

 

[Leaps-from-Shadows]

I run 12GB of DDR3-1600 CL9 in my Sandy Bridge overclocking/gaming machine.

I recommend 4GB as an absolute minimum, but 6-8GB for gamers who like better performance at higher resolution and graphic detail settings. The extra really does make a difference, despite what others have said. "3) 4GB is optimal for most; ALL VIDEO GAMES have sufficient RAM available and will not benefit from more RAM during game play" is a blanket statement that is untrue with modern games, and will become less and less true with future games.

Read this: Linky
The important part is below the pic of the ATi video card.

My GTX 570 graphics card has 1280MB of its own, but it also reserves 2815MB of system RAM to use for texture storage and such. In a system with only 4GB, it wouldn't have that extra storage space to count on, so performance isn't as smooth. The more system RAM you have, the more the graphics card can reserve, up to a point. Right now, 8GB is the optimal amount of RAM.

To see how much RAM your graphics card is reserving, go to the Windows Experience Index page and click the "View and print detailed performance and system information" link. It's listed under Shared System Memory.

 

[davcon]

Yep! for general use with a modern platform 4gb/6gb for 1366.
Otherwise i agree with Leaps-from-Shadows if you have a higher end rig i think 8gb is fast becoming the norm.
12gb on 1366.

 

[jaquith]

^Correct, and the 'Shared system memory' for the GPU(s) varies according to 'Available' memory {up & down}. In my 'Everyday' with cheaper HD 5770's with 1024MB I've seen the Shared go up to 2811MB+ {2.7GB} of the 6GB RAM installed.

I only state this so people don't freak-out.