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8Gb vs 16Gb of ram

I do not believe anyone has mentioned the benefits of larger ram size even if you dont ordinarily go above 8gb useage. Well besides resale value.
Even if your applications dont "need" more than 8gb of ram, the system will cache more recently accessed files and code libraries. This will return a "fetch" faster than if the system has to go all the way to the SSD for the data. SSD is fast, but not as fast as DDR1600. Also recall that the memory controller is on the CPU for these chips. The SSD is controlled by the chipset. So that introduces latency even if the two subsystems were equivalent in speed.

I am also wondering if the much larger icon size and desktop size due to Retina display will gobble up more ram. Even with the video card handling graphics duties, the CPU still has to manage the gui items. And then there is graphics switching going on too.
 
My advice would be to spend the extra £160 for the 16GB... if you're spending over 2k on a MacBook, it's probably worth spending that little bit extra to double the RAM
 
By the time 16GB becomes relevant to the average user, the battery will need replacing, the GPU will be ancient, so who cares.

If you're buying it to future proof yourself, you're wasting your money. Apple doesn't base OS requirements off BTO computers.

If you're not running multiple VM's, rendering video, or some other CPU intensive application on a daily basis, then that $200 was wasted.

If you're buying 16GB so you can have 400 browser tabs, 129 documents, and 47 apps open at once, you're computer will always be slow.
 
You don't need it. You can get it though. It won't tangibly help you in any way, shape or form. But I'd you've got the money you can get it.

For your particulular situation it would be like getting extra options on a luxury car. Like heated seats or fog lights I guess.

Some people genuinely have use for heated seats or fog lights but for you.... You won't really benefit from it.

However if you have the cash feel free. It won't hurt you to have more ram....
 
Nielsenius said:
If your current usage isn't even close to 8 GB, then 16 GB is a waste of money. I'm not sure where people are getting the idea that having an extra 8 GB will increase the resale value of the machine tremendously because it won't. That extra 8 GB won't be worth even close to $200 in a year from now. It'll be worth like $50. Anything that's made with flash memory will not hold its resale value because the price of flash is rapidly decreasing. Anybody who needs 16 GB of memory in their laptop won't be buying a used one. I think some people are trying to justify their waste of $200 by saying things like "don't get the RAM you need now, get the RAM you need in 4 years". How many people who just bought a RMBP are still going to have it and not the latest model in 4 years? Honestly...
Click to expand...

^^^This!!

In 4 years, RAM will be the least of your concerns. If you're at the point where 8GB isn't sufficient anymore (besides the use cases people have already outlined here), you're going to be better off selling your machine and buying a new one with 128GB of RAM (which will be dirt cheap by that point :)).
 
I do a lot of photography work and RAM is definitely important to just the "average" prosumer. If you want a high megapixel camera in the future (think 5D Mark III or especially the D800), editing those images in photoshop (and even loading those images in Aperture) really do NEED 16gb of RAM. As others have mentioned, running virtual machines and keeping lots of applications open at once will also benefit from large amounts of RAM. Personally as I mentioned before the OS'es of the future (read Mac OS 11.1 :)) may have higher RAM requirements, we just don't know at this point. However, if you understand the things RAM will or won't do for you it's an educated decision on your part.
 
So I ordered a Base Model RMBP with 8gb of RAM. Looking to do mostly Music Production with Ableton Live 8(hopefully 9 soon) rewired through Reason. I will be running multiple VSTs, have large sample libraries, and average about 20-40 track per songs that all have FXs on them. Will 8gb be enough?

Also, would it be possible to exchange my RMBP for a 16gb model in a store instead of having to ship it back and waiting another 3-4 weeks? It is supposed to come in early July. Based on what I decide, should I cancel and reorder it now if I need the 16gb?

Thanks.
 
I'm looking to get a 13 inch Mbp with 8gb of Ram. I see on the apple.com support section it says the 13in mbp's maximum memory is 8gb of ram, does that mean if I wanted to down the line I couldn't change out the 2 4gb sticks for 2 8gb sticks?
 
ericsmith407 said:
Can anyone help with my questions?
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I have a friend who uses ableton live with 4gb on his MBP and it works fine. You should be alright with 8gb especially when you have an SSD. If the computer needs more space it will just use swap space on the SSD which is extremely fast and won't have as much of an impact on performance as a HDD used to have.

However, it all depends on your budget, if you have the money to spend, then get the upgrade. If not, you will be ok with 8gb.
 
This is kind of an infuriating discussion.

Some folks, me included will need to fully leverage 16GB of RAM in the lifetime of their machines. I do a lot of Digital Audio Recording, which can use lots of Virtual Instruments and Virtual Processors, which are RAM hungry beasts. The DAW software I use (Digital Performer) is coming out with a 64 bit version soon, so it will be using lots of RAM as well.

I got 16G of RAM from new egg for $95, so it was really no biggie.

The answer is: it depends on what you want to do.
 
CKohkah said:
I'm looking to get a 13 inch Mbp with 8gb of Ram. I see on the apple.com support section it says the 13in mbp's maximum memory is 8gb of ram, does that mean if I wanted to down the line I couldn't change out the 2 4gb sticks for 2 8gb sticks?
Click to expand...

Apple's max upgrade values on their website are often not actual max limitations. You can often upgrade past apples suggested amounts without issue. Check OWCs memory page when you decide to upgrade. They have great prices on RAM and will give you the true max memory after doing their own testing.


http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/
 
I've been reading this thread and I'm wondering if I should change my order on my RMBP from 8gigs to 16gigs? I plan on having the machine for 3-4 years. these are the programs I usually run at the same time currently on my old windows7(slow) machine.
Illustrator
Photoshop
or Indesign
4 tabs in chrome or IE

I plan on playing Diablo3 and a few other games coming out latter.

should my configuration of 8gigs of ram be ok? People are making me second guess my order. I'm not so concerned about future proofing either, just that the computer performs satisfyingly for those few years.
 
IanGahagan said:
I've been reading this thread and I'm wondering if I should change my order on my RMBP from 8gigs to 16gigs? I plan on having the machine for 3-4 years. these are the programs I usually run at the same time currently on my old windows7(slow) machine.
Illustrator
Photoshop
or Indesign
4 tabs in chrome or IE

I plan on playing Diablo3 and a few other games coming out latter.

should my configuration of 8gigs of ram be ok? People are making me second guess my order. I'm not so concerned about future proofing either, just that the computer performs satisfyingly for those few years.
Click to expand...

It will ultimately depend on how large the image files are in photoshop. You MAY be memory limited depending on the answer.
 
Crucial Memory has a fantastic scanner on their website to identify what your machine is and how much ram you currently have in it and tells you what the maximum amount of ram available for the machine is.
 
I finally gave in and changed my order from 8gb to 16 gb today. Delivery was moved from early to late july. I'm planning on spending a lot of time using parallels so I figured I might as well make sure ram doesnt become an issue.
 
ericsmith407 said:
So I ordered a Base Model RMBP with 8gb of RAM. Looking to do mostly Music Production with Ableton Live 8(hopefully 9 soon) rewired through Reason. I will be running multiple VSTs, have large sample libraries, and average about 20-40 track per songs that all have FXs on them. Will 8gb be enough?

Also, would it be possible to exchange my RMBP for a 16gb model in a store instead of having to ship it back and waiting another 3-4 weeks? It is supposed to come in early July. Based on what I decide, should I cancel and reorder it now if I need the 16gb?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'll be doing similar. On my music production machine from a about 4 years ago I started with 2GB of ram, then was soon hitting a ceiling when using samplers and some AUs. 4GB is fine on that machine now. But on my newer MBP I run 8gb. It is mostly adequate for most music production tasks, but I expect as Logic and other apps get more multitasking aware the memory will start bumping against the ceiling again.
 
I don't understand why people are saying if you can afford it then max it out because it's "future proof".

I can afford 16gb ram but will i buy it? No. I don't need it. It is mostly correct that computer will need more ram in the future, so as chip and other hardware. So your latest laptop now will not be the latest by then. I don't think ram alone will save you when that day comes.

Buy what you need now.
 
jbg232 said:
I do a lot of photography work and RAM is definitely important to just the "average" prosumer. If you want a high megapixel camera in the future (think 5D Mark III or especially the D800), editing those images in photoshop (and even loading those images in Aperture) really do NEED 16gb of RAM. As others have mentioned, running virtual machines and keeping lots of applications open at once will also benefit from large amounts of RAM. Personally as I mentioned before the OS'es of the future (read Mac OS 11.1 :)) may have higher RAM requirements, we just don't know at this point. However, if you understand the things RAM will or won't do for you it's an educated decision on your part.
Click to expand...

I really don't think anyone needs 16GB of RAM to load pictures into Aperture or edit in Photoshop. I'm currently doing it with 4GB, and 8GB is going to be way more than necessary as it is.

Sure, it may help, but the MBP is still going to scream with 8GB when using photography apps.
 
The rule used to be buy as much CPU/GPU you can afford since you can't upgrade them in future.

With the RMBP this now includes buy as much RAM and SSD you can afford since you really won't be able to upgrade in the future.

Besides you can never have too much of both, its better you have too much RAM than struggle for RAM. Contemporary software is increasingly becoming resource intensive. Pro app or not.
 
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daneoni said:
The rule is used to be buy as much CPU/GPU you can afford since you can't upgrade them in future.

With the RMBP this now includes buy as much RAM and SSD you can afford since you really won't be able to upgrade in the future.

Besides you can never have too much of both, its better you have too much RAM than struggle for RAM. COntemporary software is increasingly becoming resource intensive. Pro app or not.
Click to expand...

Can the RAM not be upgraded in these models?
 
Futhark said:
Can the RAM not be upgraded in these models?
Click to expand...
Based on what people are saying, no.

However, does anyone know if the Apple Store can upgrade the RAM? I don't see why they couldn't. Say a year down the road I need more and walk into the Apple Store to get more soldered in. Why couldn't they?
 
JohnnyQuest said:
I really don't think anyone needs 16GB of RAM to load pictures into Aperture or edit in Photoshop. I'm currently doing it with 4GB, and 8GB is going to be way more than necessary as it is.

Sure, it may help, but the MBP is still going to scream with 8GB when using photography apps.
Click to expand...

How large are the RAW files that you're editing? I can show you my activity monitor and you can see it go ABOVE 8GB. Like I stated in the post, it really just depends on the size of your files. Editing iPhone or point and shoot photos, no problem, editing 36 megapixel (nikon D800) raw files, definitely a problem. Not to mention running a VM or keeping mail and a few other programs open at the same time.
 
daneoni said:
The rule is used to be buy as much CPU/GPU you can afford since you can't upgrade them in future.

With the RMBP this now includes buy as much RAM and SSD you can afford since you really won't be able to upgrade in the future.

Besides you can never have too much of both, its better you have too much RAM than struggle for RAM. COntemporary software is increasingly becoming resource intensive. Pro app or not.
Click to expand...

*This*

RAM used to be something you only bought when you needed as the price only went down. However, in the rMBP, the downside of not having enough RAM is far greater than the downside of paying $200 for 'too much'.

So, unless you are familiar with your memory usage and comfortable that 8G will cover all of your future needs, I'd get the upgrade (and, personally, I did).
 
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