I am wondering whether it is worth upgrading from 4 GB to 8 GB of RAM. I know the question has been asked many times, but I can't transpose that to my case. I'm using Windows 7 64-bit.
I did a test and launched all the software that I have almost daily simultaneously started.
Resource Monitor tells me that I'm actively using about 3 GB of my total 4, and almost all remaining is in "Standby" (BTW, what is "Standby"? Is that Windows's SuperFetch stuff?) In addition, a few weeks ago I set up a RAM disk (about 256 MB) and have put Firefox's temp files in it.
So, I do know that I almost never reach 4 GB actively used, but since Windows has some pretty SuperFetch stuff, is it worth upgrading? Also, I think that with 4 additional GB, I may use about 2 of them as a RAM disk and put things like Windows's page file in it?
33 Answers
More RAM means you can open more applications without crashing your computer. Even if you don't intend to use more applications at the same time, it'll be beneficial. Windows will reduce disk usage for page file/virtual memory/swap as it'll get access to huge free memory resource. So, you'll get performance boost because RAM R/W speed is much higher than disk.
RAM capacity isn't only key for performance. For ultimate performance boost, upgrade to DDR3 RAM (if its not). But, you'll need to replace your motherboard for it because RAM slots are not version compatible.
6One benefit of having more RAM concerns games or sims where there is occasional "pausing" or "stuttering". Since more of the game data can be allocated to RAM instead of the page file on the hdd, pausing should be reduced, since RAM will send the data to the cpu much faster than will the hdd.
I upgraded from 2gb to 12gb recently - the difference is very noticeable I was very pleasantly surprised. Haven't bothered looking into exactly what is happening under the hood, but I'd thoroughly recommend it.
