(First, the set-up):
The University IT service where I work seems to be recommending 8 gb RAM as standard with any computer purchase for damn near any reason. I've been using about 1/8th of that (512 x 2) for two and a half years and only finding that (as far as I can tell) only a little bit deficient in music creation.

I'm about to build a new PC because this same University IT service can't sell me a machine to carry on my project studio (they can't accomodate my connectivity needs such as old style PCI slots for instance).

(Second, the question):
Would I be better off to disregard this RAM quantity stat to focus on things like low CAS latency/speed in general and/or cache memory? (Yes, cache memory is a processor statistic, but I have limited $ to pay for processor, motherboard, RAM, etc., so these are all part of the same equation).


B.

Might be worth checking the RAM demands of your apps first. Most DAWs can cope with 1-2gb on a fast machine, but some plugs will want to use lots of RAM given the chance. I've found that with only moderate RAM specs, the processor and drive speeds begin to be problematic way before any RAM deficiencies.

cowtown14 wrote:(First, the set-up):
The University IT service where I work seems to be recommending 8 gb RAM as standard with any computer purchase for damn near any reason.

What?! That's an insane amount, even in contemporary computing.

Make sure you have a 64-bit OS and processor as well, 32-bit ones only have an address-space of about 3.5 gigs, so all that extra RAM won't do any good.

To be honest, unless you're doing something where you need a lot of RAM(usually, that's multimedia or server applications) you'll do just fine with a fast processor with 1-2 gigs.

you could just buy a shitload for the hell of it.

I just bought 4GB for 60 bucks.

Depends whether or not you use fancy, sample-based VSTis much as I understand it.

Unless I'm being thick and totally over-looking something, samples loaded into RAM would be the single heaviest load in audio fiddling terms, so if you're mostly using your PC as a tape-machine replacement (as I do) 1gb (or 2) would probably be ample. Certainly I've never had an issue with my ancient 1gb RAM/p4 2.4 machine.

Drive speed would probably be something to consider there.

If you use a bunch of BFD-style sample-players, the more RAM the better I guess (even if they're able to disc-stream, presumably better performance would be had via RAM?).

MRoyce wrote:To be honest, unless you're doing something where you need a lot of RAM(usually, that's multimedia or server applications) you'll do just fine with a fast processor with 1-2 gigs.

If you are running Vista, you will need at least 2GB. Runs better on 3 or more.

Also, look into the AMD64 dual chips. They are usually cheaper and much faster than comparable Intels. Some people say Intels work better for recording, but I don't know about that.

juice wrote:you could just buy a shitload for the hell of it.

I just bought 4GB for 60 bucks.

That's nothing. TRIFECTA got 8GB for $30... and got a free 320gb external drive.

Yeah, I'd just echo the comment about sample based VSTi's and RAM requirements. I used to use NI Electrik Piano quite a bit and along with my DAW s/w it would use up 2GB easily. I could never play the really high quality samples in real-time..I'd have to track the midi using a dumbed down version and then mix down the audio with the high quality samples later. For multitrack audio recording, 2GB is plenty.