Better to have i5 quad core or 16gb?

[ctjack]

multitasking usage (lots of browser tabs open while working on a word-processing document, for example) will tend to put more stress on RAM

I have up to 40 tabs open with 2-3 pdf, 1-2 Word, 1-2 Excel docs and it isn't stressing RAM at all. It just compresses unused tabs (makes sense, you can't view at once 40 tabs, but they still remain open just to check back later), so that memory is always ready to use.
Some moves of Ram management in mac os:
1) Store in App memory part of RAM if in use.
2) Compress it - use less space but still reachable to use again.
3) Cached files - compressed stuff from step 2 is packed in the drawer for future use (39 out of 40 tabs)
4) Swap on SSD - cached files go to swap, if ever you need it.

I also tried to get a lot further, had 20 tabs with one youtube video playing, itunes music playing, running Zoom conference, running Davinci and editing video, 2 pdf files, 2 docs, 1 presentation, Team viewer remote control of win laptop - my ram at most got to 7gb of use. Pressure was green.
The only thing which almost killed 8 gb was a Lightroom, loaded with 100 of RAW photos from 24MP camera, and that thing alone ate almost 4.5-5gb of ram + 2gb Mac os functions = 7-7.5 gb of RAM was used and pressure was yellow.
So if i tried to do anything else, that would be a problem with 8gb.

 

[deeddawg]

The only thing which almost killed 8 gb was a Lightroom, loaded with 100 of RAW photos from 24MP camera, and that thing alone ate almost 4.5-5gb of ram + 2gb Mac os functions = 7-7.5 gb of RAM was used and pressure was yellow.
So if i tried to do anything else, that would be a problem with 8gb.

Even then you'd only have an impact as you switched apps and the OS had to page stuff in and out of swap space on the SSD.

Back in the slow spinning HDD days this was noticeable -- with today's SSD's though, the impact is substantially less.

 

[IngerMan]

I have up to 40 tabs open with 2-3 pdf, 1-2 Word, 1-2 Excel docs and it isn't stressing RAM at all. It just compresses unused tabs (makes sense, you can't view at once 40 tabs, but they still remain open just to check back later), so that memory is always ready to use.
Some moves of Ram management in mac os:
1) Store in App memory part of RAM if in use.
2) Compress it - use less space but still reachable to use again.
3) Cached files - compressed stuff from step 2 is packed in the drawer for future use (39 out of 40 tabs)
4) Swap on SSD - cached files go to swap, if ever you need it.

I also tried to get a lot further, had 20 tabs with one youtube video playing, itunes music playing, running Zoom conference, running Davinci and editing video, 2 pdf files, 2 docs, 1 presentation, Team viewer remote control of win laptop - my ram at most got to 7gb of use. Pressure was green.
The only thing which almost killed 8 gb was a Lightroom, loaded with 100 of RAW photos from 24MP camera, and that thing alone ate almost 4.5-5gb of ram + 2gb Mac os functions = 7-7.5 gb of RAM was used and pressure was yellow.
So if i tried to do anything else, that would be a problem with 8gb.

Thanks for that test. It assures me only going base on ram was the right choice (for my needs). In all my years I’ve never applied a 1/4 at the same time that you listed. I am impressed that it can even manage all that at the same time. How far technology has come from 10 years ago is amazing.

what is the spec of your machine?

 

[ctjack]

Thanks for that test. It assures me only going base on ram was the right choice (for my needs). In all my years I’ve never applied a 1/4 at the same time that you listed. I am impressed that it can even manage all that at the same time. How far technology has come from 10 years ago is amazing.

You are welcome! I was doing this test to find out my RAM usage pattern. In other words, should i get 16GB ram with MBP 13" 2020. So now i know that i won't need more than 8gb.
Technology is truly amazing. Back in 2012 Samsung 128gb ssd cost me $200, while now you can buy 1tb .

what is the spec of your machine?

It is 3210m-i5/8gb/128gb Macbook Pro 13" retina late 2012.

 

[vyruzreaper]

For your usage, I would stick with the Dual Core and upgrade to 16GB of RAM.
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I strongly disagree with the recommendation to go with the 2019 over the 2020. The 2020 issues with heating are precisely because most people went with the quad-core processor upgrade (which gets hotter). The 2019 and 2020 MBAs have the same heatsink and thermal design.

Go 2020 MBA, but just stick with the stock processor (dual core). You'll have much faster single core speeds, faster RAM, larger standard SSD, and worlds better keyboard than the 2019.

They don't. 2020 has a bigger gap and more thermal paste between heatsink and CPU die -> less efficient cooling imo. THat's why the MBA 2020 is a bit thicker

 

[twintin]

They don't. 2020 has a bigger gap and more thermal paste between heatsink and CPU die -> less efficient cooling imo. THat's why the MBA 2020 is a bit thicker

It is my understanding that the new scissor keyboard requires more space than the old butterfly keyboard and hence the thickness has nothing to do with amount of thermal paste applied.

 

[vyruzreaper]

This is true, but they didnt CHANGE the design of the thermal cooling while adding the extra thickness. That was my point - sorry if it wasnt clear ealrier.

 

[joeybuckets]

$100 for an upgrade to I5 is a NO BRAINER!!!!!!!!