Related articles and discussions
Signs you need more memory
Finding the right upgrade
Memory basics
Installing memory
Optimizing your computer
Got Questions?
Our memory experts are available to answer any memory question you have.
The fastest way to get answers to your technical support or customer service questions. Register now to be part of the Crucial online community, so you can search for the information you need.
Live Chat
Hours (MST):
Monday - Friday: 7am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am - 2 pm
Send us an e-mail
For the most immediate feedback, use our Live Chat. Chat hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (MST) Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Thank's for contacting us, we will respond as soon as we can to help you with your questions regarding your computer system.
Toll-free for US and Canada
800-336-8915
Phone
1-208-363-5790
Toll-free for Australia and New Zealand
1-800-142982
Hours (MST):
Monday - Friday: 7am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am - 2 pm (chat only)
Share or ask for feedback from your Facebook friends.
Get a friend's opinion.
Computer memory requirements: How much memory do you need?
When it comes to adding system memory, the general rule of thumb is the more, the better. On average, doubling the amount of memory in your system will give you ample "space" to work and will make an obvious difference in overall speed. This is especially with today's memory-hungry applications such as office programs, multimedia editing packages, and graphics-intensive games. More memory allows you to run more programs at once, and your favorite programs will be easier to use.
What do you use your computer for?
| If this is what you do: |
Here's how much memory you need: |
Casual User
Internet browsing, e-mail and listening to music
|
1GB-2GB |
Frequent User
Internet browsing, email, word processing, simple graphics programs and flash games, music and watching videos, multitasking.
|
2GB-4GB |
Power User/Student
Internet browsing, email, word processing, photo editing, video editing, graphics programs and gaming, intensive multitasking.
|
4GB-8GB |
Professional User/Gamer/Graphic Designer
High performance gaming, multimedia editing, high-definition video, graphics design/3D modeling, intensive multitasking.
|
8GB-16GB |
Operating system recommendations
| Operating System |
Minimum requirements |
Crucial recommendations |
| Microsoft Windows® 7 64-bit |
2GB |
4GB-8GB |
| Microsoft Windows® 7 32-bit |
1GB |
4GB |
| Microsoft Windows® Vista™ 64-bit |
2GB |
4GB-8GB |
| Microsoft Windows® Vista 32-bit |
1GB |
4GB |
| Microsoft Windows® XP® Professional |
512MB |
2GB-4GB |
| Windows XP Home |
512MB |
1GB-3GB |
| Windows 2000 |
512MB |
1GB-4GB |
| Mac® OSX Leopard |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Mac® OSX Snow Leopard |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Mac® OSX Lion |
2GB |
8GB |
Design/photo software titles
| Software title |
Minimum requirements |
Crucial recommendations |
| Adobe® X Pro |
512MB |
1GB |
| Macromedia Studio 8 |
256MB |
1GB recommended to run more than one Studio 8 product simultaneously |
| Microsoft Publisher |
256MB |
1GB-2GB |
| Adobe Illustrator® CS |
128MB |
512MB |
| Pinnacle Studio Plus Version 11 |
512MG-1GB (1 GB
required for HD and/or Windows Vista ) |
2GB (1.5 GB required for AVCHD (2GB required on Windows Vista) |
| Adobe Photoshop® CS |
128MB |
1GB-1.5GB |
| Adobe Photoshop® CS 3, CS 4, CS 5 |
1GB |
8GB |
| Adobe Premiere® Pro |
256MB |
1GB + |
| Adobe After Effects® 6.0 |
128MB |
1GB-1.5GB |
Game software titles
| Software title |
Minimum requirements |
Crucial recommendations |
| Crysis 2 |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
| Need for Speed SHIFT 2 Unleashed: |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
| Rift |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
| Fable III |
2GB |
4GB |
| Battlefield 3 |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim |
3GB |
6GB |
| F.E.A.R. 3 |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
| Call of Duty Black Ops: |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
| Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent™ |
512MB |
1GB-2GB |
| Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas |
512MB |
1GB-2GB |
| Farcry 2 |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Fallout 3 |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Call of Duty World at War |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Dead Space |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Crysis: Warhead |
1GB |
3GB-4GB |
| Mirrors Edge |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Dawn Of War 2 |
1GB |
2GB-4GB |
| Star Wars: The Old Republic |
2GB |
4GB |
| Batman: Arkham City |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 |
2GB |
4GB-6GB |
Find affordable memory
We make it easy to find the right memory. Get a free compatibility report and find the right upgrade to improve the performance of your computer.
Crucial Memory Advisor™ tool
The Crucial Memory Advisor™ tool is a quick, 3-step process to find guaranteed-compatible memory for computers and motherboards.
Step 1 —
Step 2 —
Step 3 —
|