Posted by KentDub@gmail.com on 12/18/07 22:50

I currently have a dual dual-core 2.2ghz with 8GB ram on Vista
Business 64-bit.
What you will experience with additional RAM:
-Windows uses a much more advanced meathod of using and accessing
your RAM, including adding NUMA support (Non-uniform memory
architecture)
-Windows will use as much RAM as possible as to not waste any
resources, this is usally:
-Windows will first keep system kernel in RAM
-Windows will then keep system processes/services in RAM
-Windows will then keep active programs/processes in RAM
-Windows will then keep active files/recently accessed files in
RAM
-Windows will then keep inactive/idle processes in RAM
-Windows will then keep inactive files/old opened files in RAM
-Whatever level RAM runs out everything below is paged to disk

So, if you are a hardcore multitasker like I am (infact I just ordered
my new dual quad-core with 16gb ram), you will see a massive
improvement in overall responseiveness of the computer. What you have
to understand is the speed difference between RAM and your hard drive.
RAM is measured in GB/sec where your hard drive is in MB/sec. CPU
power is massive these days, but only data from the RAM can feed it
fast enough to make a difference.

Examples of when lots and lots of RAM help you:
-You are working in 3d and render out some footage
-You then take the clip into AfterEffects and composite it onto
some live footage
-You then 'link' the clip into Premiere
Instead of reloading the file into RAM from the hard drive like
Windows XP would, the Vista file cache will keep it in memory and
allow each program to access those files nearly instantly. This is
especially true if you are like me and are always going back to make
changes (don't you just love non-destructive editing?)

In the end, no matter how much RAM you have (as long as you are 64-
bit), Vista will find a way to use it, most noticably when closing/
reopening files and programs. This is a *good* thing -- why bother
having 16gb of ram if the OS/program only use 2 maybe 3gb? Programs in
reality don't use much ram, it's the files they load that need the
space.

If you have any more questions you want answered from someone who has
several ulta high-end setups just email me kentdub@gmail.com
- K-Dub

BTW: The /3gb switch will reduce memory avaliable to the OS and you
will suffer a performance loss unless you keep strictly to one
application (like aftereffects)

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