Will I ever need to use 16GB of DDR3 1600 RAM?

[soarwitheagles]

Hi everyone!

Ok, I noticed a super deal on 4 sticks of 4GB DDR3 RAM = 16GB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=u416079t3019953f9fp53263dd0c0s701&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&Item=N82E16820104173&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na

So, for $100 I can have 16 GB of DDR3 running at 1600 on the Intel rig.  Sounds like a very, very good deal!

Here's my million dollar question:

In the next three years [I figure in three years we will probably be using DDR4], will I ever really need 16 GB of DDR3 RAM?

I realize some will say, "It depends on what you are doing with your computer."

So, here is the only thing I plan on doing with my computer:

Internet surfing
Word Processing
Simple Data Bases
A little video rendering
Some movie watching
No video games
No video games
No video games [I keep reminding myself of this....]

Presently I have 8GB in each rig.  I am hoping that is enough and maybe it is already overkill...

I am not sure, so that is why I am asking.

Thanks,

Soar

[absic]

Hi Soar,

being honest you probably won't need 16 gig of RAM but you can never really have too much of a good thing. If I were in your position I'd buy the kit and use it as you never really know what's around the corner!  

[Dark Mantis]

Knowing you Soar, you will be upgrading soon anyway once LGA2011 is released and that will allow the use of Quad Channel memory so as long as it is a matched kit I would say grab it. 

[soarwitheagles]

Ok, thanks guys!

I do have a question for DM:

How soon until this LGA2011 is released and that will allow the use of Quad Channel memory?

Are we looking pre-2012?

If yes, then it appears as if I build a new system every 4-8 months now instead of every 1-2 years!  Gosh, things sure seem to be speeding up fast!

Soar

[Aussie Allan]

 Question 2 first Soar!..... LGA2011 will be released in 2012 !...... Probably in the middle of Q1 to Q2.... I have a source in OZ and she's been good for the goss before ... after all she's a woman!.... cost me a bottle of wine too, this I don't mind as usually indicates the intel is good!... no pun intended!

 16 Gb of memory.... as soon as you said Video editing, the answer is an definite "Yes".... This also allows you to virtually turn off page filing in performance... another plus.......then there's the software development Unknown!..... we know use stupid amounts of memory compared to just a few years ago, ... what sort of overhead will we need say next year ? .... Ive got 24 gig in mine and it gives me piece of mind working with massive files.... and I can have several programs open at once with no performance hit what so ever..........At those prices, It's a no brainer!

 Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Soar,

I am afraid I can't answer that question but Allan seems to have given you a general idea.

[soarwitheagles]

 Question 2 first Soar!..... LGA2011 will be released in 2012 !...... Probably in the middle of Q1 to Q2.... I have a source in OZ and she's been good for the goss before ... after all she's a woman!.... cost me a bottle of wine too, this I don't mind as usually indicates the intel is good!... no pun intended!

 16 Gb of memory.... as soon as you said Video editing, the answer is an definite "Yes".... This also allows you to virtually turn off page filing in performance... another plus.......then there's the software development Unknown!..... we know use stupid amounts of memory compared to just a few years ago, ... what sort of overhead will we need say next year ? .... Ive got 24 gig in mine and it gives me piece of mind working with massive files.... and I can have several programs open at once with no performance hit what so ever..........At those prices, It's a no brainer!

 Aussie Allan

AA,

Ok, thanks for the timeline of the release...thanks also for helping me understand the RAM maximum benefits.

Soar

[soarwitheagles]

Hi Soar,

being honest you probably won't need 16 gig of RAM but you can never really have too much of a good thing. If I were in your position I'd buy the kit and use it as you never really know what's around the corner!  

Yo,

Thanks Absic!