2 GB vs. 3 GB RAM

[darkanddivine]

Only when you're talking about games -- not for anything else.

I believe Photoshop does utilise some memory from the card, andl this is what Adobe recommend, and to be honest in my experience this is true, when scrolling through large documents with large files in etc.

"For optimum performance in Photoshop, use a video card with more than 128 MG of RAM. "

The most important thing about it though is the screen, as the 24 is such a large monitor, this memory can only help, especially if you are intending on keeping it a while.

 

[eXan]

You don't have to, I just read in a few places that the card in the 20" is not as good as the 24".

I dont have to? Who's getting an iMac - me or you?

Surely Adobe apps do not need the fastest graphics card, because they dont use it.

Oh, and if you think upgrading X1600's VRAM to 256 MB would make it faster, you are mistaken.

 

[darkanddivine]

I dont have to? Who's getting an iMac - me or you?

Surely Adobe apps do not need the fastest graphics card, because they dont use it.

Oh, and if you think upgrading X1600's VRAM to 256 MB would make it faster, you are mistaken.

lol, I meant me. I am getting an iMac. Either way lets face it we are way off topic. Going for 2gb witha view to upgrading later down the line. Getting the best I can afford.

 

[booksacool1]

Does this mean it would be impossible for Apple/Intel to allow 3GB+ with a firmware/software update in the future?

Actually I believe its a limitation in the 'address space'. While the chipset 'technically' supports 4GB, some is used by PCI Express devices and devices. Apparently users will see anywhere from 3 to 3.55GB with 4GB installed. As this is a hardware issue, it probably cannot be solved by installing a 64bit OS.
Thus, short of physically replacing the chipset/motherboard with a more capable one, I'd say its impossible to upgrade beyond 3-3.55GB on most macs.

 

[eXan]

Actually I believe its a limitation in the 'address space'. While the chipset 'technically' supports 4GB, some is used by PCI Express devices and devices. Apparently users will see anywhere from 3 to 3.55GB with 4GB installed. As this is a hardware issue, it probably cannot be solved by installing a 64bit OS.
Thus, short of physically replacing the chipset/motherboard with a more capable one, I'd say its impossible to upgrade beyond 3-3.55GB on most macs.

I thought it was 3.2 GBs

64-bittness adds support of more than 4 gigs of RAM.