Stupid question, but... What are the benefits of having more than 4GB of system RAM? I have my system set up to boot multiple operating systems, but my main OS is Vista 64-bit. I know that XP or Vista 32-bit systems will not address or use more than 4GB, and that XP x64 and Vista 64-bit can, but what programs within the 64 bit environment will? My system is expandable up to 16GB and I'm thinking of going from 4GB to 8GB right now... I use Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro (for HDV) as well as e-frontier Poser 7 and e-on software Vue 6 Infinite. Vue is a 64bit application and is notorious for out of memory errors with large 3D scenes, so I assume that the RAM increase will help alieviate that issue. Adobe and Poser are all 32bit programs that run well on a 64bit OS. I would guess that they would not benefit from anything over 4GB (though I wish Premiere would as HDV video playback is only marginal). Will any other programs benifit from a memory upgrade, and will there be a noticable increase in system performance? Also, what about adding a 4GB flash drive for Vista's ReadyBoost instead of or in addition to more system memory? Sorry for the rambling post. Cheers.

First, I doubt that there would be any advantage to having more than 4 GB of RAM. Maybe some one else on this forum knows of some advantage. Sometime in the future ? Sure, but not now. Second, if there were some advantage to having more than 4 GB, adding a 4GB flash drive for Vista's ReadyBoost is not the same as adding more system memory.

Unless you are running a server or high demanding memory programs like Maya, then you are wasting your money in getting more then 4gb of ram at this point. Maybe in the next couple years 4gb or more of ram will start to be needed with 3D demanding games and programs etc.. but at this point in time no.

I agree with what Cobra_R and kx5m2g said. Ultimate Memory Guide How Much Memory Do You Need? etc. http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/u... Also see the note at the very bottom of the page - you probably will see no improvement with more than 4gb unless your computer is a server.