RAM for Lighatroom (Page 2): This is the first question to be answered. PC's are upgradable. New Macbook Airs and Pros are not. I just purchased a 2018 MacBook Pro with 16GB. This was...

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Largobob wrote:

That totally depends on the brand and model, my friend.

This is the first question to be answered. PC's are upgradable. New Macbook Airs and Pros are not.
I just purchased a 2018 MacBook Pro with 16GB. This was a central question for me..16 or 32. Not the money but the principle. I do not and do not plan to do video editing. I do not play games or run virtual enviornments. So, in the end, the 16 GB is more than enough. Having 32 will not and does not make my processing run any faster. Also you need to take into consideration the overhead that the operating system and apps that you always have open take up. Mine approximate 5 GB.
So, if Mac...you must decide or forever hold your peace. If PC, it is an opportunity cost that can be changed later. Just follow the advice of the PC pros.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

My personal recommendation for a laptop with Lr would be 16GB if at all possible. On a desktop, I would go with 32. Best of luck and Happy Holidays!

johntaylor333

Johnwoo wrote:

I'm about to get a new Laptop computer, for Moderate Lightroom use how much RAM memory is needed?
Will 8 GB be enough? 12? 16? Lightroom is likely the most demanding of the programs I use.
Thanks in advance for the opinions of you users.
John

I would check how many memory slots are on your system and only use half, so that you can add more later if needed. System builders often fill all the slots as smaller memory sticks are typically cheaper per GB.

Remember that all the memory needs to be the exact same specification and the only true safe way to expand memory later is to buy the EXACT same sticks again.

Given all this, and the low cost of RAM these days, I would suggest going big - at least 16 GB

Johnwoo Loc: CO - AZ Snowbird

Thanks to all for your thoughts the one article was most helpful.
Think I'll be going for 16 gb along with either 256 or 512 GB SSD. I also have 2 external hard drives should be pretty well set for hopefully 5 more years.
Thanks again to all.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Again, don't know what system you are going to purchase. If Mac, I suggest 512GB.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Johnwoo wrote:

Thanks to all for your thoughts the one article was most helpful.
Think I'll be going for 16 gb along with either 256 or 512 GB SSD. I also have 2 external hard drives should be pretty well set for hopefully 5 more years.
Thanks again to all.

Personally, I think more memory is better, particularly if you're planning on 5 more years. Programs bloat with time and the number of things you will want direct access to will increase over time. I have a 3 year old desktop with 2 TBytes of disk and it's using about 1.3 at this time. Next one will probably have a 5 TByte disk to allow for future expansion.

If you use your 2 external drives for different things, you should have at least 2 more so you can back up the data in the 2 you have.

scsdesphotography Loc: Southeastern Michigan

Johnwoo wrote:

I'm about to get a new Laptop computer, for Moderate Lightroom use how much RAM memory is needed?
Will 8 GB be enough? 12? 16? Lightroom is likely the most demanding of the programs I use.
Thanks in advance for the opinions of you users.
John

When it comes to computers, buy as much power (I7 or better), memory (16 Gb) and storage (SSD and at least 1 TB of magnetic) as you can afford. LR likes a powerful video card with lots of VRAM (4 GB). No one ever complains that their computer has too much power!

Siemienczuk

All good comments. I am running LR 2015 Classic on 4GB RAM. Not lightning fast but works.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Siemienczuk wrote:

All good comments. I am running LR 2015 Classic on 4GB RAM. Not lightning fast but works.

I’ve run it with 4GB on an early IMac, put it was DOG slow. In my opinion, Windows 10 is useless with 4GB. We built a machine at work just for the web, and it wouldn’t open more than one Window in Firefox with nothing else but the OS running.

BVBob Loc: Tri Cities, Wa.

Johnwoo wrote:

I'm about to get a new Laptop computer, for Moderate Lightroom use how much RAM memory is needed?
Will 8 GB be enough? 12? 16? Lightroom is likely the most demanding of the programs I use.
Thanks in advance for the opinions of you users.
John

I struggled with 8 gig on my laptop for too long. I upgraded to 16 gig and couldn't be happier. The benefits/cost was a no brainer for me.

dbaird2495

I think that at least 16 GB is a must. The graphics card is just as important. I have the NVIDIA GeForce GTX1060 6 GB. Lightroom makes extensive use of the graphics card.

Johnwoo Loc: CO - AZ Snowbird

Thanks