How much RAM if I want to run Parallels

I've got a couple utilities I'd like access to that only run in Windows. Thinking about the Parallels thing, but have the general nervousness any intelligent person has about installing XP on my machine.
Should I get a gig of RAM, or is 512 OK?

I've got 2 gigs in my MacBook Pro and it runs a 512 meg XP instance with no problems. I'm not using it for a lot, just the occasional video that Quicktime won't play, Office, and VB development (until I can port over to RealBasic).
The nice thing about adding more RAM to your system is that it'll speed everything up. It's really the best bang for the buck upgrade you can do so you should think about maxing out your machine. It'll be worth it in the long run.

Similar Messages

Recommendation on how much RAM on 8-core to run Parallels & XP?

Hi
I ordered my 8-core with 1Gb of RAM planning to expand it by buying an additional 2GB through Crucial...(cheaper than through Apple)
1. Would 3GB of RAM be enough to concurrently run OSX+apps and Parallels with XP with a negligible speed impact
2. While I am at it... is there a better/cheaper place to buy additional RAM from than Crucial? I've read somewhere that not all vendors had enough quality memory boards to support the 8-core... is that true?

Lloyd Chambers has done some memory benchtests of 8-core and linked form Barefeats article. There is also an entire article
http
on the subject of Mac Pro memory.
Can't go wrong with Crucial, but I use more than 2GB and found 4GB was what I needed, and I don't even run any heavy apps. Symmetrical balance of 4 x 1GB is a good way to make use of the quad channel 256-bit performance and recommended for some apps.
Dig these articles and links:
http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/free/MacPro/
http://www.geekpatrol.ca/2006/12/eight-core-mac-pro-benchmarks/
http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/free/MacPro/memory.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304492
http://www.barefeats.com/octopro3.html

How much RAM do I need to run FCP effectively?

As you can see below, I have an iMac 2.1 Ghz 20 in. (isight) w/ 512 MB of RAM, and I also have FCP, but have been experiencing some playaback framerate issues. So I have decided to upgrade my RAM to either 1 GB, 1.5 GB, or 2.5 GB... My question is how much RAM do you have and how well does it run. I know 2.5 GB's would be the ideal amount, but if I only need 1.5 GB then I would prefer to go with that and use the extra cash for new speakers.
Thanks, and I posted this over at the Final Cut Express board on accident so if any of you feel you have read this before... thats why.

Get an external hard drive - Firewire 400 min/ firewire 800 if your machine will support it.
Having media and the os on the same disk is a recipe for disaster.
x
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How Much Ram Do I Need To Run Logic Pro 9

Howdy.
I'm getting ready to do some recording and editing in Logic Pro 9. I'm running a 2011 iMac
2.7 GHz Intel Cor iS
Memory 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
I TB HD
OSX 10.6.8
Is 8 GB enough memory for Logic, or should I bump it up to 16 GB?
Thanks!

diaphones wrote:
To answer your question... Much of what I do invoves "raiding" the loop library and piecing things together. As time goes on, I'm getting more & more into original "progressive" type stuff. I'm not in a band nor am I affiliated with any other musicians, so I heavily dependent on loops.
I haven't had any memory issues (yet), but I just read something about freezing tracks taking some of the load off of memory.
If you're using mostly loops you have plenty of RAM.
Also, if you're not laying down a bunch of recorded audio tracks.. (like recording a band) your single TB hard drive should do fine. Freezing comes into play when the CPU is nearing load limit because of heavy use of software instruments and effects that demand a lot of CPU.
I would say for what you're doing at this time, your system is fine as it is.
If it ain't broke don't fix it.. if/when you run into a problem then deal with it, it's not like you're operating a commercial studio.
My suggestion would be to learn how to use Logic's effects correctly.. (Reverbs, Compressors, EQ, Delay...etc)
Use a Reverb or Delay on a bus, then several tracks and use the same effect, if you use all effects as inserts you're wasting CPU.
Learning how to use your system (as is) is FAR more important than how much RAM, what model Mac or how fast your CPU is.
A good engineer can make a world class recording in Garageband. Don't get to caught up in what you have or don't have.. have fun, be creative.

How much RAM do I need to run windows through paralells sucessfully/smoothly?

I have a MacBook with 2 gb of memory and need to run a program for school that is only available through windows. The program requires 128 mb ram to run. What would be the system requirements necessary to run windows through paralells and then this program on top of it. Do I have what it takes? or is my MacBook able to be upgraded to meet those requirements?

You didn't mention which version of Windows the program requires, or which MacBook Pro model you have.
I have successfully run Windows Microsoft Office 2010 and other older Windows applications under both XP and WIndows 7 with Parallels 5 in 2Gb of total RAM on my mid 2007 MacBook 2,1 with integrated GMA 950 video on both Mac OS X 10.5.8 'Leopard' (though Win 7 is not 'officially supported') and 10.6.6 'Snow Leopard'
But performance is, uh, 'limited', especially for processor-intensive applications like graphics programs.
My Core2Duo 2.16Ghz processor often runs at 100% of one processor, so the fan is often running at high speed all the time Windows is running. It is still possible to run Mac applications like Mail and Safari at the same time.
Since I upgraded to 4Gb RAM (although by design, my Mac 2,1 system only recognizes 3Gb) Windows 7 runs a bit better, though still at a slower speed than the same program with Windows 7 under Boot Camp where it has access to the full 3Gb.
I do own a copy of Parallels 6, purported to provide some performance gains, but I have not yet installed it, because I doubt that my current configuration will provide enough performance gains to warrant the time and trouble to install Parallels 6 and then have to once again deal with Microsoft Support over yet another 'reinstallation' of my perfectly legitimate, legal copy of Windows 7 Home Premium.
If you don't need simultaneous access to both Windows and Mac applications, Boot Camp will likely give you adequate performance with XP in 2Gb. RAM memory upgrades are certainly available from Apple and reliable vendors such as Other World Computing (www.macsales.com) where I've purchased several of my RAM and hard drive upgrades for a MacBook and a MacBook Pro.
Message was edited by: kostby

How much RAM for ONE App & does OS X limit allocation?

Hello all,
This question concerns how much RAM I realistically need to run ONE application to it's fullest. I mainly use ProToolsLE 7.3, but sometimes use LogicPro 8 and Final Cut Express 4, again, only one running at a time. I've read on the ProTools forum that Windows (yuck) limits the amount of RAM that can be allocated for 1 application. Does Mac OS 10.4 or 10.5 do this?
Right now I have the stock 1GB (2 x 512MB). I plan on pulling it and installing a matched quad of either 1GB sticks (4GB total) -OR- 2GB sticks (8GB total). I understand that matched quads in slots 1/2 of both risers is optimum for the early Mac Pros.
The ProTools forum isn't helping much. A ProTools support person said that starting with 4GB will be good to start and that they test their systems with 4GB installed. What did they mean by "good to start"? Will it increase jumping to 8GB or is 4GB all ProTools can really use?
Another guy on there said "keep in mind that to use 4GB of ram - you'd need a 64bit Operating system (not supported by pro-tools) or on a MAC PAE support enabled, which depending on your hardware may not be a great move." I dont know what that means! Mac OS 10.5 IS a 64bit OS, right? And ProTools 7.4 NEEDS OS 10.5 to run....even if it is only a 32bit app. (though right now I am running PT 7.3 on OS 10.4....not sure if 10.4 is 64bit)
A quad set of 1GB is under $170 and a quad set of 2GB is under $270. Funds are tight right now, but I think I can swing the extra $100 to double the RAM -IF- it will make a difference.
Any thoughts as to wether the extra $100 will be worth it, or am I wasting my money? Thanks!

Hatter,
Thank you so much for your advice! If I may bother you to receive one final suggestion....
Based on the best prices I have found from all of the well known Mac Pro memory dealers, I have narrowed it down to 3 configurations that are balanced. Even though I'm still not 100% confident that 8GB of RAM will give me any noticable imporvement over 6GB, the price is only $42 more to get 8GB. Am I correct in saying that the early Mac Pro would do better to have one matched quad set of RAM over the new Mac Pro's increased performance of having all eight slots filled? Here are the 3 configurations and prices.
4 x 1GB + 4 x 512MB = 6GB Quad+Quad $220 (using my stock 2x512MB sticks)
4 x 2GB = 8GB Quad $262 (pulling my stock 2x512MB sticks)
8 x 1GB = 8GB Octal $278 (pulling my stock 2x512MB sticks)
Which do you think would be the best route?
I already purchased a WD Caviar for my dedicated audio drive. I installed a Seagate 7200.9 in my PowerMac G4 for it's audio drive, but after reading various reveiws, concluded the WD Caviar is a better performer. I LOVE my WD My Book Studio external. I hadn't considered replacing the boot drive, but after reading articles suggesting that it improves overall system performance, and now that you've recommended it as well, I will probably buy a second Caviar for the boot/system drive.
This computer is a DEDICATED audio computer, for ProTools & Logic only....other than a bit of fiddling in Final Cut Express. It's not even connected to the internet and all unnecessary apps are not installed or uninstalled. I also never migrate apps, but always do a fresh install of everything from the ground up.
Thanks again for your advice! It's been a big help!

Windows--how much RAM/GHZ

I am deciding whether to buy another PC, or get a MAC to run CS4.
If I get another PC, how much RAM is very good to run it?
Is 4 gigs enough?
What about the min. processor speed?
Help!

4 gigs will work fine for CS4 for normal duties. Of course you need a 64 bit system to use any more RAM, but photoshop will use as much ram as is available. This becomes more important with large file manipulations. So as always the answer depend on what you are going to do with it.

How much ram can I add to my late 2008 MacBook Pro? I run Mavericks and just got a new inexpensive hard drive. RAM is not very expensive so Thought I would bump it up from the current 2MB of 1067 Mhz DDr3

How much ram can I add to my late 2008 MacBook Pro? I run Mavericks and just got a new inexpensive hard drive. RAM is not very expensive so Thought I would bump it up from the current 2MB of 1067 Mhz DDr3

Maximum Memory
8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots
2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

How much RAM should be in use while not running anything?

Just for the heck of it, I checked the Activity Monitor with nothing else open to see how much RAM was being used. Much to my surprise, nearly 900MB of my 2GB was being used with literally every application closed except for Activity Monitor. This can't be normal...

My Macbook Pro is also using about 1.3GB RAM with virtually everything shut down (mail, safari, ical, itunes, etc). Yet, my husbands uses only about 400-500MB with the nearly identical applications left running.
I have 4GB, he has 2GB.
We compared the running applications one-by-one, and mine uses nearly double his for the exact same application.
Does a laptop use more memory if it has more memory to use?
This really bothers me. There does not seem to be any reason for mine to be consuming more RAM when running the same small applications as his does yet I can't figure out why?
Ahhhhh!

How much ram does the farm need when running virtual machines

Hello Community
    When running Hyper-V you need more RAM to assign to each virtual machine.
    Approximately how much ram needs to be assigned to each virtual machine?
    Thank you
    Shabeaut

Please refer the http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff621099%28v=office.15%29.aspx
Thanks, Ashish | Please mark a post helpful/answer if it is helpful or answer your query.

How much RAM is recommended to run mountain lion?

i have a 15in MBP (2008), 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, OS 10.8.4, 791GB free space.
i'm getting a lot of beach balls, particularly in chrome and photoshop, forcing a lot of quitting/restarting. i see a lot of people at 8GB, but wanted to check first to make sure i'm not throwing money away. the economic reality of my life is that a new MBP will likely never happen.

I don't see a 2008 MBP with 2.2 Ghz, (only 2.4 Ghz or better) the Late 2007 meets your spec's of 2.2GHz, so perhaps you have a MacBook Pro 3,1 instead of a MacBook Pro 4,1.
The MacBook Pro 3,1 (Late 2007) was sold into Febuary 2008, so perhaps you didn't purchase what you expected.
You can find out, do a Apple menu > About This Mac > More information for a model identifier.
People recommend 4GB for the Lions, despite the 2GB Apple says it minimal needs.
However if your running bloatedware Chrome and Photoshop, you certainly could use more RAM.
The Late 2007 (3,1) it's possible to swtich out one of the 2GB's and put a 4GB module in, so you have 6GB total, same with the 4,1 and the Late 2008 (5,1) can hold 8GB. (2 x 4GB)
Until I know your model identifier I won't know for sure what to recommend.
Your problem isn't 100% RAM amount but it's slow speed, your older Intel Core 2 Duo + Mountain Lion bloatness + newer program bloatness.
It also could be you have been moving the computer around while the hard drive is spining, this causes the platters to become damaged and the sectors harder to read from which causes the beachballing to occur as well.
This can be fixed, but it will require you copying off all your data to a external storage drive (do not use TimeMachine or clones to restore here), the booting into RecoveryHD and using Disk Utiltiy to 3x overwrite erase your MacintoshHD parttition (takes a long time to finish) then reinstalling OS X, your programs from original sources and then finally your files from backup.
Reset your Mac
If you had any software issues, those obviously would be resolved also, unless you installed programs that were not ideal or compatible, like third party anti-virus (unneded) or the trashware called Mackeeper (avoid!)
If you go this route, take your time installing software until you see a performance issue, then that's likely a problem.
Chrome is bloatware attempting to use the browser to do everything, spawning a zillion seperate processes for each tab and eating memory like candy, avoid it and use the much faster Firefox instead.
Photoshop you can't help, but what you can do is allow it to have as much RAM as possible by not running other programs at the same time. The ability of the Lions to restart programs/windows from the last session should be avoided.
Why is my computer slow?
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents#/

How much ram can be added to a 2007 SL Imac? has 1 gb now and I want to upgrade it; any suggestions?

How much ram can be added to an 2007 Imac (SL, 10.6.8)? I'd like to upgrade it; any suggestions?

Maximum Memory
6.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots
2 - 200-pin PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SO-DIMM

How much ram does my macbook pro have?

How can I tell how much ram memory my mac book pro originally came with? I now only have 2 gbs left and am running out of space with all my photos, aps, videos and music. I don't want to keep moving things on and off the computer with an external hard drive. Is there a way to get more ram? My ipad has 64gbs and holds everything - but apparently my computer doesn't.

Time Machine backup disks should be external ... separate from the computer.
Several places sell external disks that are already formatted for Mac. Others tell you that external disks not formatted for Mac can be reforatted, but save yourself the grief for now and buy Mac-ready.
Buy a *new* disk, in my opinion. Do not reuse an old disk.
Some can suggest certain brand names as "better", but even the best disk-brand will have bad apples in the mix.
If any others have a convenient link for Time Machine Tutorial, please provide. I have learned enough alreay, generally through trial and error on my own.
But focus on getting that first backup done within the next 2 days.
As to "probably need a new HD", perhaps you can move enough off to an external disk. Cross that bridge after you get the backup.
If you get the sense that critical things are done first and that you should save yourself complex things like "how to replace a harddisk" for later, you are reading my posts correctly.

How much Ram can my Macbook use? What Hard drive should I upgrade to?

Hi Everyone.
I have a 2008 ish macBook with 4gb of Ram. I use vmware Fusion to run Windows every day and I also use Aperture on a regular basis.
I'm looking to breath some life into this old machine and want to know how much ram the motherboard will support. Here are the machine's specs.
Hardware Overview:
Model Name:          MacBook
Model Identifier:          MacBook4,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache:          3 MB
Memory:          4 GB
Bus Speed:          800 MHz
Boot ROM Version:          MB41.00C1.B00
How muck Ram will the machine support?
My Hard drive is also nearly full and I would like to upgrade to a 500gb drive. Any suggestions on which drive to choose?
Thanks!!

You can install up to 6 GBs of RAM. There are any number of good choices for a hard drive replacement. I suggest visiting OWC for information on pricing, makes, and models. They also provide video tutorials on how to replace a drive in MacBooks.
To prepare for the upcoming release of Lion I also suggest spending $29 to buy a Snow Leopard DVD and upgrade your OS.

How much RAM do I need in my new MacBookPro?

I think I need to add more RAM to my MacBook Pro. I've been using it for a couple of months now and I'm tired of running so slow. Things are fine until I have several applications open or whenever I try to run any Adobe Creative Suite programs.
So, my question is: how much RAM should I buy? My 1.83 MacBook Pro has the standard 512 MBs of RAM that came with it. I'd prefer to keep the cost low, so would buying one more 512 MB stick be enough? I am processing 8 Megapixel RAW images in Photoshop. Will 1 MB total be enough?
Also, do I have to have the two slots matched? Can I put a 1GB stick next to my 512 MB stick?
Thanks,
Laura

512+512 is better than 1gb + 0 - because of the ddr2 effect in the same way that 256+256 is better than 512+0, but not better than 512+256
512 + 1gb is better than 512 + 512 because you have more ram which outweighs the performance benefit of the two dimms.
The way to tell is to run activity monitor (from applications), click and hold the dock icon and turn it into a memory pie chart. You'll see how much ram you are using (tip - free ram is the total of free (green) + inactive (blue). If you are only occasionally running right out you might get by with 1gb total.
Also, economically, you'll be able to get a 512 for about $45-50 as people upgrade, whereas the 1gb chip will cost (at the moment - over $100 for generic and $150+ for one that is the same model as Apple supply - these prices do change and right at the moment there is a shortage of DDR2. - If you do want to buy one, post back and I can give you some hints on where and what to look out for). I'm awaiting a machine next week and will be posting 2 512's on craigslist in your(our) region, as do many others who upgrade so it's not a bad way to get ram - from another mbp owner who is upgrading to 2 x 1gb - and it's normally been tested for a few days.
Also, not a bad idea to have a look to see which chip Apple have put in their already and post back.
Best of luck.

How much RAM if I want to run Parallels

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