Mac Pro1,1: 16GB or 24GB of RAM?

[hitek79]

So I have 8gbs of RAM now, and want to add another 8gb. If I buy 2x4gb sticks, I'll have space to add another 8gb down the road if I need it. If I buy 4x2gb sticks I'll have used up all my slots, but I'll save about $50 dollars it looks like. I plan on having this machine for another 2 years or so before I move up, and want to make the most of it. Will I notice a huge difference between 16 and 24gbs of RAM for things like CS5 and FCE?

 

[gullySn0wCat]

It depends. Most of the CS5 apps are 32bit anyway so can't address more than 2gb of RAM in any event.

To find out if you need that much RAM, check your activity monitor after a regular day's usage without rebooting, and see if you are getting a lot of page outs. If you aren't, then you don't need more RAM.

 

[akadmon]

You'll be fine with 16. I have 12 in mine and don't have any issues running PS CS5/LR3, even with large Fusion VM running at the same time. That said, it's only $50 bucks we're talking about, so between the tiny performance boost and the slightly higher resale value it may just be worth it to go 24. If you will be holding on to the machine for more than 1 more year, then I say definitely go 24.