How Much RAM Should I Buy for my MacPro?

[amcliz]

To whom it may concern..
I'm about to purchase a new MacPro Quad Core 3GHz system with 8GB of RAM (I currently have another thread running looking for advice on which display to purchase. The cost isn't the issue just the pros and cons). I'm a graphic designer who uses photoshop extensively and I'm also getting more and more into video and dvd presentations using imovie, idvd and Final Cut Pro & Motion. I currently have a Dual 2.0GHz with a 4GB of RAM (which is excellent). Can anyone tell me for sure if by buying the additional RAM it will impact significantly on the speed etc.

I was going to purchase my 8GB's from http://www.datamem.com/AMM22.asp. Has anyone dealt with them before... any feedback and will their memory be easy to install in the new MacPro? I have never done this... but I don't want to fork out €2,500 for the same equivalent from Apple through their BTO system.

Thanking you in advance...

Anthony
Irish MacUser and MacAddict

 

[fryke]

It really depends on whether Photoshop runs low on memory because of using huge files. It certainly will use more memory on an intel Mac right now, because Rosetta emulation does that. But if you simply add memory that _won't_ be used, it won't seriously speed things up.

 

[Sunnz]

You *might* as well get a raptor hard drive.

 

[Mikuro]

Keep in mind that as of now, most apps (including Photoshop) aren't capable of addressing more than 4GB anyway. You might still see an improvement as the extra RAM is used for other apps and file caching, but Photoshop itself will not get much more RAM.

This will change as more apps are made 64-bit.

 

[AdamF]

The best rule of thumb with RAM is that you can never have too much. Stick in as much as you can afford.