Is 8GB Enough For Laptops
video description
Date: 2024-08-27
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 19
andyH_England
There will be the usual crowd that says 8GB is not enough. They are just flexing, as with most things, the answer is it depends.
I have a light use case of office work and browsing and have used 8GB or less for 30-40 years with no issues. On my current MB Air 8GB M2, I have 2-2.5GB available even when using all my daily software. So, anyone saying otherwise is wrong.
But...if you are a semi-pro or pro user, 16GB or more is recommended, as many RAM-intensive apps, like video editing, only work at their best with loads of RAM.
If you have loads of money, then buy what you like.
If you play AAA games, 16GB or more is the call.
I want Apple to start at 12GB, as that would maybe stop the daft comments we see in YT video comment sections. But I do not think it is essential. LoverOfTech did an S24U versus iPhone 15PM RAM test, and 15PM 8GB held every app in RAM, but the S24U kicked out several even though it has 12GB. He had to use 8GB of swap (RAM) to save the S24U. This proves that Apple RAM optimisation is worth more than 1:1 versus rivals.
reply
There will be the usual crowd that says 8GB is not enough. They are just flexing, as with most things, the answer is it depends.
I have a light use case of office work and browsing and have used 8GB or less for 30-40 years with no issues. On my current MB Air 8GB M2, I have 2-2.5GB available even when using all my daily software. So, anyone saying otherwise is wrong.
But...if you are a semi-pro or pro user, 16GB or more is recommended, as many RAM-intensive apps, like video editing, only work at their best with loads of RAM.
If you have loads of money, then buy what you like.
If you play AAA games, 16GB or more is the call.
I want Apple to start at 12GB, as that would maybe stop the daft comments we see in YT video comment sections. But I do not think it is essential. LoverOfTech did an S24U versus iPhone 15PM RAM test, and 15PM 8GB held every app in RAM, but the S24U kicked out several even though it has 12GB. He had to use 8GB of swap (RAM) to save the S24U. This proves that Apple RAM optimisation is worth more than 1:1 versus rivals.
reply
Alakazam551
8gb ram is absolutely enough , depending on your use case. Even for some light older gaming, indie games.
But if you do any modern gaming, 16gb is almost necessary - a friend with i5 9400f 1650 8gb ram, i ordered another 8gb stick for her and it made a night/day difference to her gaming experience. Diablo IV was unplayable before, but now smooth as butter. World of Warcraft was also now much smoother - but was playable before, it uses hardly any ram.
Any sort of game like Fortnite, Pubg, Apex, 16gb would most likely benefit the performance at least in parts majorly.
reply
8gb ram is absolutely enough , depending on your use case. Even for some light older gaming, indie games.
But if you do any modern gaming, 16gb is almost necessary - a friend with i5 9400f 1650 8gb ram, i ordered another 8gb stick for her and it made a night/day difference to her gaming experience. Diablo IV was unplayable before, but now smooth as butter. World of Warcraft was also now much smoother - but was playable before, it uses hardly any ram.
Any sort of game like Fortnite, Pubg, Apex, 16gb would most likely benefit the performance at least in parts majorly.
reply
AyoHues
8GB RAM is absolutely fineuntil it isn’t. And at that point, there’s no quick fix even if your laptop has upgradeable slots - which fewer and fewer do, especially now RAM on package is flavour of the month. That’s why buyers have to be very aware of all of their needs as well as their budget.
The other issue is longevity. Will 8GB be sufficient in 4 or 5 years’ time once the next generations of Windows OS, bloatware & AI nonsense are forced upgrades Almost certainly not. So you gotta budget for more budget now or more budget later.
reply
8GB RAM is absolutely fineuntil it isn’t. And at that point, there’s no quick fix even if your laptop has upgradeable slots - which fewer and fewer do, especially now RAM on package is flavour of the month. That’s why buyers have to be very aware of all of their needs as well as their budget.
The other issue is longevity. Will 8GB be sufficient in 4 or 5 years’ time once the next generations of Windows OS, bloatware & AI nonsense are forced upgrades Almost certainly not. So you gotta budget for more budget now or more budget later.
reply
keithwhisman
Damn Gordon, we done got old.. I miss MPC Magazine so much.. For a web and MS Office only machine I would think 8GB would be plenty.. For gaming on intel integrated graphics you’re going to want at least 24gb and 32GB would be preferred. These Integrated graphics aren’t like the old days a modern Intel chip can play some modern games with respectable frame rates. Of course nothing beats an Nvidia GPU even the RTX4060 are really good at pushing modern games in HD at high frame rates.
reply
Damn Gordon, we done got old.. I miss MPC Magazine so much.. For a web and MS Office only machine I would think 8GB would be plenty.. For gaming on intel integrated graphics you’re going to want at least 24gb and 32GB would be preferred. These Integrated graphics aren’t like the old days a modern Intel chip can play some modern games with respectable frame rates. Of course nothing beats an Nvidia GPU even the RTX4060 are really good at pushing modern games in HD at high frame rates.
reply
marks9233
12GB was cutting edge not long ago. Ha. I remember when I was 11, I was soo excited to get my TRS-80 home computer RAM increased....from 2k to 8k, I think Didn't make any difference then either. lol But yah, once relatively recent games or animation is involved, that's a whole different world.
reply
12GB was cutting edge not long ago. Ha. I remember when I was 11, I was soo excited to get my TRS-80 home computer RAM increased....from 2k to 8k, I think Didn't make any difference then either. lol But yah, once relatively recent games or animation is involved, that's a whole different world.
reply
lemagreengreen
No and it hasn't been for many years now.
Windows and MacOS like around 6GB to use on their own and most of the applications even casual users run require more than 2GB of RAM, web browsers in particular.
16GB is the minimum and has been for some time.
reply
No and it hasn't been for many years now.
Windows and MacOS like around 6GB to use on their own and most of the applications even casual users run require more than 2GB of RAM, web browsers in particular.
16GB is the minimum and has been for some time.
reply
nabiljemel2838
Did you test light gaming on integrated graphics I think that matters, I have an xps13 with 8GB , I use it for productivity and some light gaming(old games mainly), It is running slow and I have always regretted not getting the 16Gig version.
reply
Did you test light gaming on integrated graphics I think that matters, I have an xps13 with 8GB , I use it for productivity and some light gaming(old games mainly), It is running slow and I have always regretted not getting the 16Gig version.
reply
LucasHolt
Aggressive swap use will kill the ssd faster. Then there is soldered ram on new laptops. Most people don’t need more than 8gb right now but what about 3 years from now 5 years from now Different people have different upgrade cycles.
reply
Aggressive swap use will kill the ssd faster. Then there is soldered ram on new laptops. Most people don’t need more than 8gb right now but what about 3 years from now 5 years from now Different people have different upgrade cycles.
reply
Integrated
I think the issue isn’t 8GB vs 16GB but more so soldered memory. PC manufacturers not allowing users to upgrade after they hit the maximum of their 8GB and charging a premium for 16GB is the disappointing part that has to change.
reply
I think the issue isn’t 8GB vs 16GB but more so soldered memory. PC manufacturers not allowing users to upgrade after they hit the maximum of their 8GB and charging a premium for 16GB is the disappointing part that has to change.
reply
ssdaqwe2578
16gb dimms are 'cheap'. Problem with 8gb is when you eventually need 32gb(1616) after many years, you will end up with may be two extra 8gb dimms whereas if you start with single 16gb dimm you can avoid that.
reply
16gb dimms are 'cheap'. Problem with 8gb is when you eventually need 32gb(1616) after many years, you will end up with may be two extra 8gb dimms whereas if you start with single 16gb dimm you can avoid that.
reply
retrosean199
At my workplace, some people have 8 GB laptops and they absolutely chug because the system is bogged down by all kinds of corporate security software etc.
They also don't have fast current SSDs in them.
reply
At my workplace, some people have 8 GB laptops and they absolutely chug because the system is bogged down by all kinds of corporate security software etc.
They also don't have fast current SSDs in them.
reply
Mike79745
Adding case to test suit with paging file disabled would be really educational. I know it's not a default setting but right now we really are looking at both laptops heavily relying on SSD most of the time.
reply
Adding case to test suit with paging file disabled would be really educational. I know it's not a default setting but right now we really are looking at both laptops heavily relying on SSD most of the time.
reply
ofacesig
I think a lot of this has to do with a 1/2 decent HMB gen 4 drive. If this was the days of gen3 dram-less drives w/ no HMB I believe the swapping would be much worse. Much laggier.
reply
I think a lot of this has to do with a 1/2 decent HMB gen 4 drive. If this was the days of gen3 dram-less drives w/ no HMB I believe the swapping would be much worse. Much laggier.
reply
Winnetou17
2:00 I'm getting strong 1 mouse 2 laps vibes here.
Jokes aside, I wish there was a macbook in the mix too. To see how they manage the memory, if the limits are the same.
reply
2:00 I'm getting strong 1 mouse 2 laps vibes here.
Jokes aside, I wish there was a macbook in the mix too. To see how they manage the memory, if the limits are the same.
reply
Vern_Levine
For someone who just uses a laptop for casual use such as web browsing 8 gb is enough. You only really need 16 if you run intensive applications or games.
reply
For someone who just uses a laptop for casual use such as web browsing 8 gb is enough. You only really need 16 if you run intensive applications or games.
reply
ShaunRoselt
Looking at this video, I think 8GB is definitely not enough anymore. The 16GB upgrade is massive. The speed difference is insane in those Photoshop tasks!
reply
Looking at this video, I think 8GB is definitely not enough anymore. The 16GB upgrade is massive. The speed difference is insane in those Photoshop tasks!
reply
hybridinfodesk409
That 8 is pretty fast. The same processor I like that one mouse and keyboard setup for both laptops. I have to try that.
reply
That 8 is pretty fast. The same processor I like that one mouse and keyboard setup for both laptops. I have to try that.
reply
kirkanos3968
Haven't asked myself this in 10 years or so, now more like 32 or 64 GB of mem hell is cheaper then windows in some cases lol.
reply
Haven't asked myself this in 10 years or so, now more like 32 or 64 GB of mem hell is cheaper then windows in some cases lol.
reply
doomtomb3
Gordon so far based on this test, I wanna do one better and get a 4GB laptop to save a bunch of money. Would you recommend
reply
Gordon so far based on this test, I wanna do one better and get a 4GB laptop to save a bunch of money. Would you recommend
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
1:27:46
1:8:44
