2 or 4 GB Ram

[gosk]

Hey guys,
Im gonna buy an Imac Core 2 Duo Intel 2.8 GHz W/ 2 GB RAM this week. And then the 003 Factory when Protools 8 comes out. Ive asked around and ive been told that 4 GB is for Video Editing and with 2 GB i should be just fine. But what if i wanna go Plug-in CRAZY, Vrt Inst CRAZY, will i need 4 GB for everything to go smoothly? Honestly all the computer Mumbo-Jumbo is really confusing, HELP!!!

[Chazamatazz]

The computer would probably have the potential to add more ram if the 2 wasn't enough.

[richiebee]

IF you're going to use a lot of samples, get 4Gb. If you're working with mostly audio and synthesized VI's, 2Gb is probably enough.

Don't get Apple RAM though whatever you decide. Buy your Mac with the minimum RAM you can, and get it elsewhere. For example Apple charges about $75 per Gb of RAM in their iMacs. Crucial charges $17 per Gb.

[gosk]

thanx guys, ill start out with the min. and build on if necessary. I love this web-site.

[Chazamatazz]

I know I love this website too. Its so lonely when your the only one in the house, or the neighborhood or the world who understands the music yuour living for, or the technology..its all good.

[Phlipper]

Originally Posted by gosk

Hey guys,
Im gonna buy an Imac Core 2 Duo Intel 2.8 GHz W/ 2 GB RAM this week. And then the 003 Factory when Protools 8 comes out. Ive asked around and ive been told that 4 GB is for Video Editing and with 2 GB i should be just fine. But what if i wanna go Plug-in CRAZY, Vrt Inst CRAZY, will i need 4 GB for everything to go smoothly? Honestly all the computer Mumbo-Jumbo is really confusing, HELP!!!

The only real answer is to get the best spec that you can afford...

[brandondrury]

The only real answer is to get the best spec that you can afford...

Sorta. Overbuying is a waste of money when limited funds could be put into other gear that will provide superior results.

I agree with Richiebee. If you are specifically using lots of samples, go with the 4GB. If you don't use lots of samples go with 2GB.

Brandon

[Phlipper]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Sorta. Overbuying is a waste of money when limited funds could be put into other gear that will provide superior results.

I agree with Richiebee. If you are specifically using lots of samples, go with the 4GB. If you don't use lots of samples go with 2GB.

Brandon

of course... 'affordability' should take into accounts your needs as a whole
The only reason I say this is, by having a PC that is as powerful as you can get (at least the right kind of power in the right areas for DAW), it allows you a little breathing space before the software pushes you towards upgrading anything.
The increasing specs on computers has always been driven by one thing; the need for more power to run the ever expanding software that is created by the developers (the gaming industry has been the biggest force behind this).
My own studio was built on the kind of budget that is designed to slip unnoticed past the wife! But, if I didn't have my mortgage etc., I'd be sitting in that room with Deep Blue!

[357mag]

Another option is to put in 3GB. I did. And don't let anyone tell you some nonsense about since that is an odd number it won't run in dual-channel mode. Pure untruth.

If you are using a 32 bit operating system, that's all you can use anyway.

[brandondrury]

the need for more power to run the ever expanding software that is created by the developers

This makes sense for the gaming industry. In audio land, you could argue that better plugins are going to use up more CPU power, but I think ultimately the song is the biggest determiner of a needs and therefore CPU power.