Is there such a thing as too much RAM

G

greenascanbe

New member
I'm looking at getting a new computer for recording. I've been using XP with 3 gig of ram but really want to upgrade since I use a lot of plug-ins when mixing.

I've been looking at customing building a computer on Dell & HP sites and in some cases you can get up to 24 MB of RAM. So my question is how much RAM is really needed to run the DAW, load files and mix with plug-ins and how much is just overkill?

Thanks
 
then you need to get DDR3 in groups of 3 sticks

As to how much is too much, figure how much you need for your OS, DAW, Softsynths and VSTs. anything more than that is technically a waste.

You're also going to be limited by your choice of motherboard as to how much it can physically support
 
Bristol Posse said:
then you need to get DDR3 in groups of 3 sticks

As to how much is too much, figure how much you need for your OS, DAW, Softsynths and VSTs. anything more than that is technically a waste.

You're also going to be limited by your choice of motherboard as to how much it can physically support
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well I'm looking at 12, 18 or 24 MB of RAM. Better to have it installed then to have to go back and put it in. Especially when you can pay it off as part of the cost considering that DDR3 memory is still pricey. I did that with my last computer (both inexpensive and then upgraded) and I ran into too many headaches.


Since I do rock bands with 20 plus tracks and lots of plug-ins (waves, Line 6 amp sims) I want to know I'm getting exactly what I need now and for the next few years. But I also don't want to throw away money just for sake of having more then I'm ever going to use.
I'm guessing that if I'm custom building a computer that HP or Dell isn't going to sell me something that is going to crash before the warrenty expires. Then again....

I'm also going to edit video on the CPU as well.
 
greenascanbe said:
well I'm looking at 12, 18 or 24 MB of RAM. Better to have it installed then to have to go back and put it in. Especially when you can pay it off as part of the cost considering that DDR3 memory is still pricey. I did that with my last computer (both inexpensive and then upgraded) and I ran into too many headaches.


Since I do rock bands with 20 plus tracks and lots of plug-ins (waves, Line 6 amp sims) I want to know I'm getting exactly what I need now and for the next few years. But I also don't want to throw away money just for sake of having more then I'm ever going to use.
I'm guessing that if I'm custom building a computer that HP or Dell isn't going to sell me something that is going to crash before the warrenty expires. Then again....

I'm also going to edit video on the CPU as well.
Click to expand...

Never assume!
But if it does it's still under warranty. Just make sure you have a good data backup regimine.
Dell and HP are not specialist DAW builders and quite frankly RAM is about the easiest hing to upgrade yourself on a desktop PC

You might want to check out someone like ADK pro audio, talk to them about what you intend to do and they will custom build based on your DAW/Video needs which DELL and HP don't really know a whole lot about and will probably try and sell you a bunch of stuff you don't need.
 
Bristol Posse said:
You might want to check out someone like ADK pro audio, talk to them about what you intend to do and they will custom build based on your DAW/Video needs which DELL and HP don't really know a whole lot about and will probably try and sell you a bunch of stuff you don't need.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip... I'll give them a call today and ask for a quote.
 
well I'm looking at 12, 18 or 24 MB of RAM
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Ummm.. thats gig of RAM, not meg.

I do up to 30 tracks, with plugins, on a C2d 6600 with 4gb, in win7(32) with no problems at all.

It might depend on the software your using. Some are more efficient and better coded than others.

With the I 920, you should not have any problems, even if you had 2gb.

personally, I'd start with 6gb. It's real easy and cheap to upgrade, if you need to.

The bottom line is to not load the OS with crap you don't need.


If you really want it to fly... start with the OS on a 80gb SSD. Keep all your data on a regular HD.
 
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