MP 1,1-5,1 Do I need more RAM?

[Eneco]

Hey guys,

I'm a composer and work with lots of sample libraries. I have currently installed 48 GB of RAM in tripple channel configuration (3 x 8 GB per CPU). This is what my memory footprint looks like while working on a project:

At first it seems like I'm good, as only 33 GB are really in use. On the other hand the system is already swapping memory and to my understanding this is a sign of not enough RAM and should be avoided, but I'm not an expert.

So my question is: Do I need more RAM or is everything safe so far?

 

[satcomer]

Simple answer YES!

 

[Eneco]

Is it really that simple? I googled about the "Swap Used" and there seem to be different opinions on it.

 

[bearda]

You only have 70M in swap. That's nothing (.07G). It's probably something that hasn't been used in quite some time and swapped out as a result, not because of memory pressure.

I don't think additional memory is going to help.

 

[Eneco]

You only have 70M in swap. That's nothing (.07G). It's probably something that hasn't been used in quite some time and swapped out as a result, not because of memory pressure.

I don't think additional memory is going to help.

With memory pressure, do you refer to the graph at the bottom of the Activity Monitor? Strangely it is at about 45% while the overall used memory is at 68%.

 

[KeesMacPro]

Personally I'd maintain some general considerations:
-swap means the RAM is saturated and parts of the data are moved temporarily to the SSD and moved back when needed and possible.
Note that a SATA SSD is let's say 100 X slower than the RAM itself.
-memory pressure may result in a slower "feel", because of higher CPU activity
-I'd recommend to keep ~20% of the RAM free in case of peaks in the I/O during high workloads

Resumé: I'd buy (6X) 16GB RAM and sell the 6X8GB on e.g. eBay.

 

[Mactrunk]

Similar situation here.
64 gives some headroom.
96 would be luxurious.

 

[Eneco]

Similar situation here.
64 gives some headroom.
96 would be luxurious.

I guess I'll go for 96 GB to keep the tripple channel configuration.