16GB RAM is it worth it...?

[golemus]

I have been lately considering updating from 8gb to 16gb.

I am just migrating from live8 to live9-64b.

First of all I don't use that much of memory consuming romplers, etc.... Until now AbletonLive8.exe usually consumes between 1.5GB and 3GB of RAM with a ready project but I have had to use romplers sparingly so I expect it to raise a little bit.

Anyway I suppose that windows8 uses superfetching/caching to utilize the extra RAM. So what is your opinion, will 8-16 upgrade speed up workflow and project loading times even if your Live.exe would consume between 2-5GB of RAM....?

[Timbeaux]

I think an ssd for your samples and/or ableton will speed up it more

[M-bition]

For me it was worth it. But then again my live set uses around 10gb.
I have to say that even with smaller sets I have the feeling this extra ram speeds up workflow. Copying and replacing large parts of arrangements is much faster and snappier.

Ram is expensive these days.....If you can afford it, do it.

Using SSD's is one of the best tips for the last few years

[jlgrimes]

IMO Ram is always worth it.

Ram is relatively cheap now and it will help you work with large sample libraries and it can help reduce your system having to constantly write to your hard drive to speed up resources.


Ableton is pretty ram intensive so more always will help.

[hacktheplanet]

Reinstall your OS to a ~256gb SSD. Use your current spinning drive to store your sample library and files and whatever. Install 16gb RAM.

You will be like "holy shit this machine is flying." TOTALLY worth it.

[DangerousDave]

Some people in here need to read this:

https://www.ableton.com/en/articles/64bit-myths-facts/\

[M-bition]

IMO Ram is always worth it.

Ram is relatively cheap now

? I have seen prices going up with more than fifty procent the last 18 months....


@ Golemus:
Maybe just try and buy the extra RAM and just return it if your not satisfied ?

[XSIMan]

Only sampled instruments are using up lots of ram so if your using those in a lot of tracks RAM is important. More ram doesn't do anything if you already have enough ram. Bare in mind DDR 4 RAM is out now for the new intel CPUs.

[login]

Is best to invest in an SSD or a CPU upgrade if you are not using intrument libraries.

[Tarekith]

I went from 8G of RAM to 16GB last year and didn't notice an improvement at all, either with music apps or day to day computer work. I don't use huge sampled instruments either, but for the most part I was glad I hadn't paid for an upgrade.

When I went to an SSD drive at the same time however, it was the first time in many years I was like "whoa", that's SOOOO much faster than before. Ditto going from USB2 to USB3 for all my external drives and such, it was a VERY noticeable increase in speed and workflow.

FWIW

[Machinesworking]

As someone who does sometimes use huge sample instruments I'm happy with both, more RAM and SSDs.
16GB for most people, even those that use sample libraries for 120+ instruments and orchestral music for film etc., is plenty.
SSDs on the other hand can always be faster. loading 8+GB libraries can take a couple minutes on regular hard drives.

[eyeknow]

If it's really that much more these days than allow me to be redundant and say it's not worth any significant money unless you are running out of ram......which doesn't seem to be the case.

When I built this system, I went with 16gb, but I promise you, I didn't pay much for the ram. I just figured might as well get 16 this time since it wasn't so much.

[Machinesworking]

^^RAM is cheap, and IMO anything over 8GB is unnecessary for 99% of us. That said times change, and everything is waaay more RAM hungry now than it was 5 years ago, which is about my computer lifespan.

[uthemus]

I think an upgrade from 2/4GB to 8GB is very noticeable. Not sure if you'll get the same wow factor going from 8GB to 16GB.

[eyeknow]

I think an upgrade from 2/4GB to 8GB is very noticeable. Not sure if you'll get the same wow factor going from 8GB to 16GB.

Truth. Again, I went 16gb just to be gaudy.