Wizi Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Hi there! I'm a happy fresh owner of a brand new MacBook with Core 2 Duo 2GHz, 1GB of RAM, 80GB HDD and 13.1". I was happy that my Mac came with 1 gig of RAM because I though it will be enough for a beginning. Of course I was thinking about upgrading to 1.5GB see how it goes and than maybe after a while even up to 2GB. But I was quite shocked today to realize that the system has created 11GB virtual memory "thing" on my disk because every single process grabs about 300-350MB. I was really like "Wtf?" and began wandering if even 2GB would make a real change!? I would really appreciate your advice and recommendations. Thanks in advance! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headrush69 Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 That is normal and just means the kernel is effectively using all your RAM to maximize performance. Unless you are doing demanding work, like Photoshop, 3D modeling, etc, you are probably fine with 1GB for now. Of course if you have the money to spend, more won't hurt and the kernel will use it also. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-403092 Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquanutz Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 OS X loves ram. I have 4 gigs (3.2 is actually seen for some reason) and even though I only ever use about 700megs of it, the speed of my system has increased two or three fold compared to when I had 1 and 2 gigs. If you have the means, pick up another gig stick or two gig stick. Check out hardforum.com and see what they have going on in the marketplace over there, people are always selling laptop ram. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-403101 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headrush69 Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 OS X loves ram. I have 4 gigs (3.2 is actually seen for some reason) and even though I only ever use about 700megs of it, the speed of my system has increased two or three fold compared to when I had 1 and 2 gigs. What apps are you running that you see a 3 fold increase in speed between 2GB and 3.2 GB? Like I mentioned it is very app centric. For many things you aren't going to notice it. Halo isn't going to run faster. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-403110 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridgerator Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 A semi on topic question related to RAM. Is it possible for the new released Macbooks to hold 4gb of ram? On certain sites I heard its possible, but is it worth it? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-403217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampidire Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 1GB is perfect unless you're doing VM stuff or doing lots of image editing with very large sources. Also: it's 13.3" not 13.1" And to the above: Yes the new MBP's can accept 4GB of RAM, 2GB in each channel; the new Santa Rosa chipset makes it possible; also the OS will correctly address this memory as well. 4GB of RAM is a nice good spot for performance desktop PC's right now as RAM is so cheap; and for those who change over to the new MBP's as their main machines; that 4GB really makes the change easier. The people that have that amount of RAM know that they need it though; I've got 2GB in my desktop and my laptop as I use both equally as hard, but not hard enough to warrant any more RAM than that; also neither of my computers can even take more than 2GB due to hardware limitations of their chipsets; both are 945GM based. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-403232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridgerator Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Ampidire, I meant the Macbook, sorry. I heard its limit is actually 3GB. I just got my macbook and the 1x2 GB module is only like 15 bucks more than a pair of 1Gb. Since its only 15, Im planning on getting the 1x2 GB instead to boost it up to 2.5 GB of ram on my new macbook. Is that a good idea? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-403558 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizi Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share Posted July 7, 2007 Okay, but still wandering about what will happen to this huge virtual memory even with 2 gig of RAM? Is it still going to be that big? Don't like the idea of having my HDD running all the time... Is there a way to control the size of it? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-403574 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahbau Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 Okay, but still wandering about what will happen to this huge virtual memory even with 2 gig of RAM? Is it still going to be that big? Don't like the idea of having my HDD running all the time... Is there a way to control the size of it? VM will grow if you add more RAM. I have 3GB and my VM file is 16.23GB even though I'm only using about 1.2GB (343MB inactive and 1.53GB free) right now. You don't need to worry about the VM size so much as the number of page outs. If you have 4,000,000 page outs after being on for a few hours, you would definitely benefit from more RAM. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-406497 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayhew2345 Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 all ive ever had in my systems is 1 gig and they ran great or so i thought i recently aquired a 24 inch core 2 duo imac with 3 gigs and its a rocketship believe me so more is def better Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/56410-too-much-of-ram-is-never-enough/#findComment-407809 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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