Do I need 8GB RAM?

future_computer · 11-10-2014, 09:15 PM

My Asus Vivobook's specs:
intel core i5 3371U
1TB Hitachi 7200RPM HDD,
4GB RAM, 1600MHz.

There is another slot for RAM,
do I need to expand my RAM,
I use it for Solidworks, Autocad, Visual Studio.

And daily normal work.

frankbell · 11-10-2014, 09:27 PM

Do you need it? It really is a judgment call.

How are your programs performing now? If they are doing okay, you don't need it. On the other hand, more RAM is an easy and inexpensive upgrade. It can't hurt and might help.

I have one computer with four gigs RAM and it runs fine. I have another with an i3 and eight gigs RAM and it runs sweet.

k3lt01 · 11-10-2014, 10:13 PM

Do you need it? No, you need air not RAM.
Does your computer need it? You already answered this question yourself and the answer is no. You are already doing what you do with 4 GB so you don't need any more.
Do you want it? I think yes because if you didn't you probably wouldn't even be asking.

My laptop has 2 GB RAM, my desktop has 32 GB RAM. I still spend most of my time on my laptop.

gengisdave · 11-11-2014, 12:49 AM

Use your computer as normal, with your cad(s) open, in a terminal, use top or htop; if the swap isn't used (or < 200 MB), you don't need more RAM. But, if the swap has greater values and you didn't noticed slow downs on your softwares, you don't need more RAM.

sycamorex · 11-11-2014, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gengisdave

Use your computer as normal, with your cad(s) open, in a terminal, use top or htop; if the swap isn't used (or < 200 MB), you don't need more RAM. But, if the swap has greater values and you didn't noticed slow downs on your softwares, you don't need more RAM.

I don't think the OP is using Linux at all (posting from Windows, mentioning Windows programs) - that makes me wonder whether the thread is in the right place.

future_computer · 11-11-2014, 01:53 AM

My Swap file is 8GB

John VV · 11-11-2014, 01:55 AM

judgment call

Quote:

I use it for Solidworks, Autocad, Visual Studio.

in a dual boot or a VM like KVM
if a vm then 8 to 16 might be a good idea

but for MS's VS -- 8 gig would be a good start and
and seeing as this is NOT a desktop i5
the 2 hyperthreaded cores will thank you

jefro · 11-11-2014, 02:41 PM

"Solidworks, Autocad, Visual Studio" Almost seems to be windows apps.

Bit length of distro may be a consideration. 64 bit would require more or can more easily use more. Each application may have requirements for bit length. Now, allow or have available to use is different than you needing it.

More ram never seems to hurt on a 64 bit system. More ram may be of no use if your system can't use it.

No amount of ram can fix a slow system and slow hard drive.

Robert Dinse · 11-11-2014, 06:14 PM

I'm afraid my take is a bit different. While I will agree, you don't NEED more RAM, with Linux you can never have too much RAM. Linux uses any RAM not being used for something else for cache, more cache, less disk I/O. On a laptop, that means longer battery life and it means more performance as laptop drives tend not to be the fastest. Even if your application comfortably fits in 1GB, you'll find things faster and more responsive with more RAM.

frankbell · 11-11-2014, 07:03 PM

Eight GB swap is way more than necessary, unless you intend to use the "hibernate" feature. "Hibernate" saves to swap, so, if you use that feature, swap should be a little greater than RAM.

I have a computer with four GB ram and four GB swap that hasn't been rebooted in over two weeks, has been used daily, and it's got 3.75 GB swap free. The large amount of RAM in today's computers has rendered the old swap=2X ram rule of thumb obsolete.

business_kid · 11-15-2014, 08:36 AM

The OP is future_computer.

This site is littered with threads where that guy just asks questions where there is no clear yes or no, and sits back, trading on the fact that we are an obliging bunch.

I have seen enough of it. Save your grey matter for something worthwhile, guys. All the OP will contribute is another question.