How much RAM do I need?

[SofaKingBanned]

I typically run the following programs all at the same time:
Adobe CS2
- Photoshop (file sizes typically less than 50Mb)
- InDesign
- Illustrator
- Distiller
- Acrobat
QuarkXPress
Font Mgt. program
email program
web browser
plus MS Word, Excel, and/or Publisher on occassion

For both my XP and OSX machines. I'd rather avoid using virtual memory if possible.

Thanks!

[Pau11y]

I wonder if a 2nd physical hdd for the virtual for Photoshop and 2GB of memory...? The 2gb will also ready you for Vista... :D

[Transcend]

I wouldn't go less than 2gb with os x and 50mb files. I generally work with Tiff files that size (16b raw conversions from a 1dmk2). 2gb seems like a sweet spot, as well as a zippy scratch disk.

Just remember that CS2 will run under rosetta if you have an intel machine, slowing it down some.

For all of those at once, i wouldn't go less than 4gb.

[binary visions]

You run all of those programs concurrently? And you swap back and forth a lot?

I'd just go for the whole hog and do 4gb if I had that many fairly memory intensive programs running at the same time. RAM is fairly cheap - and that's a crap load of programs open at the same time. The Adobe CS2 suite would probably suck down a gb or so by itself.

[Transcend]

You run all of those programs concurrently? And you swap back and forth a lot?

I'd just go for the whole hog and do 4gb if I had that many fairly memory intensive programs running at the same time. RAM is fairly cheap - and that's a crap load of programs open at the same time. The Adobe CS2 suite would probably suck down a gb or so by itself.

not when you need FB-Dimms it isn't. ugh

[binary visions]

not when you need FB-Dimms it isn't. ugh

Well, yeah. But at least you get a tax writeoff :p

[Transcend]

Well, yeah. But at least you get a tax writeoff :p

I guess, i just cringe having to spend almost $300 for a gb of ram. what is this, 1982? :disgust:

BTW popped the side off of the pro yesterday. WOW. Now I know why it costs $3000. The insinde of the thing looks better structurally engineered than most cars, let alone computers. ridiculous.

[binary visions]

:picsstfu:

Seriously.

[SofaKingBanned]

I wonder if a 2nd physical hdd for the virtual for Photoshop and 2GB of memory...? The 2gb will also ready you for Vista... :D

I have two HDs. My startup+programs always has like40Gb space free.

I wouldn't go less than 2gb with os x and 50mb files.
Just remember that CS2 will run under rosetta if you have an intel machine, slowing it down some.
Ok, so 2Gb is the absolute minimum for a production machine. Would you say that for the WinXP machine as well?


You run all of those programs concurrently? And you swap back and forth a lot?
Yup and yeah.

[Transcend]

Windows XP seems to use about the same amount of ram as apps in OSX would. You will notice more of a bump in speed on the mac the more ram you get however due to the architecture.

Go with 4gb.

[binary visions]

Yup and yeah.

4GB it is, then.