Upgrading from 4GB -> 8GB of DDR3 RAM, will I see any improvements?

[thing1thing2]

Looking for a cheap upgrade to get my computer go a snappier ... will I get much improvement going from 4GB to 8GB, figure the price is so cheap it might be a cheap upgrade for some improvement?

Below are my specs:

CPU: i7-860 LGA1156
Mobo: Gigabyte P55A UD3
RAM: OCZ PC3-10666 2x2GB DDR3-1333
GPU: ATI Radeon XFX 5770
HD: Intel 80GB SSD
OS: 64bit Windows 8

If so, what type of RAM should I get?

 

[Coup27]

If you are having to ask then the answer is most likely no.

More than 4GB of RAM is only needed these days for applications such as video editing, professional image editing, 3d artwork, CAD, virtual machines, audio work etc.

If you just use your regular OS, office suits, internet browsers and games then you won't see any benefit.

 

[thing1thing2]

I see, ok, thanks!

 

[Coup27]

Looking at your system there's nothing really you can upgrade and it'll probably be a new IB or Haswell rig with a new 6Gbps SSD..?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Yeah. Thing is, more memory doesn't make your computer faster, but not enough makes it slower.

So if you already have enough RAM, then you won't even notice adding more. But if you don't have enough, well, ouch.

Most applications are still 32-bit, which means they will chew through 2-4GBs of RAM, but no more. If you run many programs at once and want best performance from them all, then you need enough RAM to load them all up. (8GB, 16GB, sky's the limit, really.)

If you're a one-thing-at-a-time kinda guy, then 4GB is adequate. If you have a bunch of background tasks fired up, 6-8GB might give you a marginal improvement, but... meh. (And really, if you have a bunch of background tasks fired up, you're in the first category anyway.)

Newer versions of some productivity apps (Coup27 mentioned several types of software. It basically falls under the category of "professional" software. Consult your product manual for details) are capable of addressing and taking advantage of 4+ GB of RAM (either they're 64 bit executables, or they're PAE aware.) If you run programs like that and can verify that they'll recognize >4GBs, then install all the RAM you can afford.

 

[thing1thing2]

Thanks for the replies.

yeah I was really looking to upgrade the whole system ... I'm changing the case cause I accidentally wrecked the front usb port, so I figure since I have the thing opened, should see if I can do a quick upgrade.

yeah, aside from Photoshop, most of the stuff I run is your typical run of the mill programs.

ok - thanks for the info. guys!