Do I honestly need to get more RAM for my system?

Hello. I need your honest opinion. Do I need more memory???

I am running 4GB (4096 MB) of RAM on my Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. I am planning to install and use high-end SONY video editing software to do some serious video editing. I know these kind of video editing software suites can draw serious system resources. I also plan to do some small tasks (like web browsing, checking e-mail on my Outlook, etc.) while some automatic video editing tasks are occurring at the same time at times.

Now, I know Windows 7 is very efficient with system resources. I took a look into the Windows 7's "Resource Monitor" and specifically "Memory" tab. I know by running more programs will increase the used or cached amount of RAM and reduce available RAM.

I tried to simulate the same experience the best I could. Now normally, I would not *all* of these *at once* typically, but I tried to demonstrate some sort of similarity. I decided to run:

- 4 well-known web browsers open in full screen.
- Outlook 2007 e-mail client in full screen.
- Word 2007 in full screen.
- play Windows Media Player music in full screen.
- run CCleaner's "Cleaner" in full screen.
- run a Webroot Internet Security Complete manual system scan.
- Windows Snipping Tool.

After all these running processes completed and leaving them still up and running even if they are idle for about 15 minutes, I received at max. 56% used physical memory. I attached a image file to this post for you to view.

A. What do you think about that? Do I need more memory if I plan to use a high end video editing software that uses a lot of system resources like memory while I am doing some basic routine tasks too?

B. Also, is it true that once all 100% of the physical memory is used, then the virtual RAM space from free hard drive space is then utilized?

C. I see there is a portion on the attached image that is named "Standby". If the "Free" portion is totally used up and more "Standby" is needed, is this when virtual RAM kicks in?

Please reply.

Thank you!


Some basic general stats of my system:
- Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit.
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 -- Yorkfield 2.83 GHz 1333 MHz processor.
- ASUS P5Q desktop motherboard.
- 4 GB of Corsair XMS2 2x2 GB DDR2 RAM.
- XFX Radeon HD5670 GDDR5 1GB RAM Graphics Card.

 

I would probably say may be .Not too keen on Windows 7 i am more into XP
not sure what you trying too do you could be maxed out all ready with the 4 gigs you have.Do you know how much you mother board can hold.

 

Hello. Thanks for your reply.

My motherboard (ASUS P5Q) can handle up to 16 GB tops. However, looking into my ASUS User Guide for my motherboard, the QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) shows many of the max. combinations of RAM is averaging around 4GB and a some 8GB RAM modules combos that are compatible. This is also Windows 7 *64-bit*, not 32-bit -- quite different between the bit versions.

 

Couldn't hurt to go up some,especially if doing intensive video editing.
Make the job smoother and go faster.

 

Do you really need more RAM? No. Would it help improve performance? Yes, to a point. Since your motherboard supports dual-channel memory architecture, you need to add RAM in pairs of sticks. I would bump it up to 8Gb. Any more than and the performance gains will be marginal, at best.

No it is not true. Windows lumps all available RAM into VM and uses it as one resource - putting less important data in the slowest RAM. This means you can have 8Gb of RAM but still use the Page File even when the system does not need anywhere near 8Gb.

VM is always kicked in.