8gb RAM - How do I know if I need more?

[SirApple]

I was wondering if there is any software that you can use to monitor how much RAM that is being used throughout a day and if it is maxed out at times? I currently only have 8gb of RAM on my iMac that will be used for Excel, hobby photo/video editing and a big of gaming and wondering how to figure out if I need more at the moment or if I should wait.

Any suggestions are welcome

I read some posts of the long thread about what RAM to buy and from what brand with over 600 replies, but I couldn't really figure what is the best option. My initial thought was just to buy from Crucial.com if I'm ending up needing more RAM. If anyone have a better suggestion that I'm all ears!

Would also be perfect if someone could explain where to put the two new RAM, as in what slots, I understand it as the current setup is at 1,3. Can I just then put it the two new ones on 2,4?

Thank you in advance

 

[pl1984]

I was wondering if there is any software that you can use to monitor how much RAM that is being used throughout a day and if it is maxed out at times? I currently only have 8gb of RAM on my iMac that will be used for Excel, hobby photo/video editing and a big of gaming and wondering how to figure out if I need more at the moment or if I should wait.

Any suggestions are welcome

I read some posts of the long thread about what RAM to buy and from what brand with over 600 replies, but I couldn't really figure what is the best option. My initial thought was just to buy from Crucial.com if I'm ending up needing more RAM. If anyone have a better suggestion that I'm all ears!

Would also be perfect if someone could explain where to put the two new RAM, as in what slots, I understand it as the current setup is at 1,3. Can I just then put it the two new ones on 2,4?

Thank you in advance

You can use "Activity Monitor" (found in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder) to view memory usage. There is a graph which shows memory pressure. If it's frequently in the red then more memory will likely be of benefit. If it occasionally or doesn't show any red then memory is unlikely to benefit you. Check it when you've got all your usual applications in use.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I was wondering if there is any software that you can use to monitor how much RAM that is being used throughout a day and if it is maxed out at times? I currently only have 8gb of RAM on my iMac that will be used for Excel, hobby photo/video editing and a big of gaming and wondering how to figure out if I need more at the moment or if I should wait.

Any suggestions are welcome

I read some posts of the long thread about what RAM to buy and from what brand with over 600 replies, but I couldn't really figure what is the best option. My initial thought was just to buy from Crucial.com if I'm ending up needing more RAM. If anyone have a better suggestion that I'm all ears!

Would also be perfect if someone could explain where to put the two new RAM, as in what slots, I understand it as the current setup is at 1,3. Can I just then put it the two new ones on 2,4?

Thank you in advance

As above use activity monitor, however some advice is needed for this, ignore all the numbers, OSx uses all the RAM it can, all of the time. This doesn't mean its running out of RAM it means that it is utilising all its resources to keep things as fast as it can for you; however things like documents and other bits loaded to RAM for the fastest access will be purged when apps and multiple files etc require more RAM. As above the only thing you need to take any notice of is the graph, if it remains green when you are doing your heaviest workload you are all good, if it shows orange or red then more RAM will be of use to you.

The 27 inch imac has four RAM slots 2 will have 4gb of ram in them just add the 2 ram modules you buy (preferably as a kit) to the other 2 slots, so a 16gb kit will give you 24gb total and more than you'll ever need I suspect.

 

[MacDawg]

^^^^ This

Its not likely you need more than 8GB, but RAM is fairly cheap these days and you can never have too much

 

[bl11]

Just add 2x8gb and that is likely all you will need.

 

[Wondermutt]

I went ahead with the 8 gb when I ordered a 27" a few months ago, intending to upgrade in the near future. It's definitely fast enough and I probably won't need to upgrade it for awhile. My average use is internet/streaming music plus some work in photoshop/illustrator.

 

[maflynn]

8GB is fine, I find its more then adaquate for my use case it seems similar to yours (other then gaming)

 

[Fishrrman]

If you're not getting any out-of-memory alerts or experiencing any unusual crashes, I'd reckon that the amount of RAM you currently have is meeting your needs...