How much RAM (Page 5): 32GB if your computer will support it. More RAM will help offset "shortcomings" in graphics capabilities at least for Topaz Labs products. My desktop doesn't...

11bravo

32GB if your computer will support it.

More RAM will help offset "shortcomings" in graphics capabilities at least for Topaz Labs products. My desktop doesn't have a graphics card, only integrated graphics. But because I have 32GB of memory, I can run Topaz's AI products. When asked why, Topaz said though my configuration is not supported, the CPU is using the memory in liue of graphics. Not the best solution, but it works for now.

And more memory allows more programs to be open at the same time. Not that you'll be surfing the net while PP, but being able to watch and pause a how-to video while PP, your antivirus and malware prevention products working, etc. is convenient.

Get it while you can. As others have said, not always replaceable, and even if you do, you'll most likely replace both sticks. On mine, I had to remove the keyboard to reach the 2nd slot. Not difficult but a bit daunting 1st time you do it.

photoman43

My Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme laptop has a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB video card and 32 GB RAM.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

I would go with 32gb.

Don

gouldopfl

Go with 32 and you will notice the difference

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Chromodynamics6 wrote:

Go with 16. You can always add another 16 if it is needed.

Yeah, ummm, no.
That would involve doing once more removing something you've already paid for.
Buy the 32gb, be done, be happy, one time.

DJBAD

Jbravi wrote:

planning to get a Windows laptop for use with PS/LR.. either 16gb or 32gb?

At present I am using macbook pro with 16gb RAM.

I am in IT and have been asked this question 100s of time and the answer is always the same. Buy as much as you can afford. 16gb may do for today but programs and operating systems are constantly being upgraded (code for getting larger) and 32gb will soon be the norm. Also note that more and more notebooks have soldered in RAM and are not upgrade-able. On top of the future usability you will also enjoy a really good system to day.

Douglas Tharp Loc: Texas

I remember when I ran DEC PDP 8E in a billing department, it was the size of small car. It had ROK 5 drives on it 1.5 gig bytes of storage.

WJShaheen Loc: Gold Canyon, AZ

Definitely go with 32gb. I recently purchased a desktop PC that came with 16gb. After running with it for a few days, I immediately ordered and installed another 16gb and the difference is very noticeable. And, I may bumpt it up to 48 or even 64gb. More memory eliminates or at leas reduces page swapping.

speedmaster Loc: Kendall, FL

Be aware that most of the new laptops, especially the thin and light 13" to 15" have their memory sticks soldered as a way to cramp more memory in the same space while keeping it light, therefore not accepting upgrades later. My Dell XPS 13 is like that.

If you plan to do anything other than just surf the net or basic word and excel you should go with 32GB. Software keeps evolving and nowadays 8GB is not enough if you run PS, LR or other graphic software and/or games. 16GB is the minimum I would recommend that if you plan to keep the laptop for three or more years definitively go with 32 if at all possible or you may be regretting not doing it in a year or so.

As a rule of thumb as much memory you can have the better...

Labtrainer

I have seen so much about how much RAM you need. This is an article from ZNET that states 16 gigs is enough for anything. Remember that if you run out of RAM, windows will write to your hard drive. If you have a mechanical unit that is pretty slow. If you have an SSD that is almost as fast as ram. If you have a NVMe SSD that is actually faster than RAM. My NVMe drives are running at 3 ghz. I would spend extra money for a NVMe ssd and stay with 16 gigs of ram. The NVMe drives will speed up your computer in so many ways.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-much-ram-your-pc-needs-to-run-smoothly/

gouldopfl

As someone who has been computer industry for over 35 years I don't believe that anymore. If you run LR/PS there is a definite increase between 16 and 32 gig. Swapping out to disk just slows down the whole work flow. My own laptop holds 64 gig and I multi-task and can have several windows and processes going on at the same time. Additionally the article you referenced is 4 years old. A lot happens in hardware and software in 4 years.

WJShaheen Loc: Gold Canyon, AZ

gouldopfl wrote:

As someone who has been computer industry for over 35 years I don't believe that anymore. If you run LR/PS there is a definite increase between 16 and 32 gig. Swapping out to disk just slows down the whole work flow. My own laptop holds 64 gig and I multi-task and can have several windows and processes going on at the same time

Page swaps at any speed generate interrupts, which degrade performance.

speedmaster Loc: Kendall, FL

Labtrainer wrote:

I have seen so much about how much RAM you need. ... (show quote)

Even if a NVME is faster than a RAM stick the overhead of swapping blocks of memory back and forth as well as the added processing overhead to manage it is definitively not worth it, moreover with memory prices we have nowadays.

WJShaheen Loc: Gold Canyon, AZ

speedmaster wrote:

Even if a NVME is faster than a RAM stick the overhead of swapping blocks of memory back and forth as well as the added processing overhead to manage it is definitively not worth it, moreover with memory prices we have nowadays.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Definitely 32GB. I have 32GB on my old PC and 64GB in my new one. I can open and process several large files (15 or so of 45MB files) with ease.