by Burgerman » 09 Apr 2022, 07:47
True, but I am only doing 3 background minor operations. And one youtube video here! As an example. I dont have 20 or 30 firefox tabs open or a bunch of other things runnin at the same time... As I do have right now. So that was not a worse case scenario but a simple snapshot of "right now" at that moment. Yes there was just under 8GB in use, and another 8GB remaining cached in ram awaiting future re-use.
And this cached stuff sat in ram is there for a reason though. It allows me to go back to previous programs etc, that are already loaded in ram, instantly without waiting for them to load. So a much more responsive computer. Thats why they are not de-allocated in the first place. Windows uses your ram on purpose so you dont get to wait... And why having lots of ram is good if you have long uptime between reboots or are busy doing many different things on and off during the day. It makes it run fast. But yes it would "run" just the same but load stuff slower. 16GB is adequate and the ideal sweetspot for normal usage on a laptop.
But try doing for e.g, some 4k video editing (from my DSLR) and then even 64GB is inadequate! It starts lagging and skipping bunches of frames as you jump through to different timelines to edit. But you dont do that stuff generally on a laptop. I do however do so on my desktop PC. The footage from my quadcopter for e.g is also 4k. Even editing a bunch of raw photo files from my DSLR can run up to much more than 16GB. Esp if upscaling or batch editing files. But I am generally doing that stuff too on my desktopPC with a lot more ram, and much better bigger screen. So here a lot of ram is essential. Even 32GB isnt enough really. But adequate. 64 (or up) can help. Depending on what you are doing.
8GB is adequate sensible laptop minimum for surfing, email etc. And can do most things. My ex gf manages fine with 8GB in her laptop as she thinks a computer is just a phone and a shop so 8GB is overkill.
4GB and windows will boot up, and use 2GB and a bit. Leaving almost no room for you to load or run anything much. So not really enough for even light use without slowing. Even with SSD as swap file.
How the hell does Martin007 manage to run windows with 2GB???