RAM recommendations

[SGG]

getting ready to get new computer (Windows OS) and would like to see if there's in any opinion regarding 16GB RAM vs 32 GB RAM. I know there's no such thing as "too much RAM" but for pro tools specifically will the benefits of 32 be substantive. FYI I use pro tools academically but have my own gear too.
FYI also use UAD Apollo 8XP hardware and lots of UAD plugins

[LightWing]

You can always use more RAM, imo. Get as much as you can afford and max the system if you can and be done with it.

[64GTOBOY]

Originally Posted by SGG

getting ready to get new computer (Windows OS) and would like to see if there's in any opinion regarding 16GB RAM vs 32 GB RAM. I know there's no such thing as "too much RAM" but for pro tools specifically will the benefits of 32 be substantive. FYI I use pro tools academically but have my own gear too.
FYI also use UAD Apollo 8XP hardware and lots of UAD plugins

The more VIs, buses, and many of the latest greatest native plugins take a good amount of RAM in PT. Using UAD stuff exclusively will lessen the load but not eliminate it.

[reichman]

Depends on how big your sessions are, and how many apps you run in the background at the same time as PT.

In my experience, Pro Tools needs about 5-10GB RAM for app function (not audio). Then audio goes in disk cache which gets added to the original 5-10GB. Many users would see no benefit going over 32GB, depending on the average size of their cache.

Background apps on top of that. Make sense?

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by SGG

any opinion regarding 16GB RAM vs 32 GB RAM

Hi, welcome to the community.

16GB is considered bare minimum, 32GB will surely help you running PT more smoothly

[Meads]

I always shoot for 64GB. 32GB for caching, the rest for Pro Tools, the OS and other applications. Might be overkill but I like to have a comfortable amount so I know there won't be issues in that specific regard.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by Meads

I always shoot for 64GB. 32GB for caching, the rest for Pro Tools, the OS and other applications.

Same here. But not everyone use desktops and the list of laptops carrying 64GB is still very short

[Meads]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Same here. But not everyone use desktops and the list of laptops carrying 64GB is still very short

Sure. I kinda like the idea of using a portable computer myself. I had to buy and have to maintain three different rigs in three different places, which is unnecessarily expensive. If I could carry my rig with me all the time that would be great.
Unfortunately Apple laptops still suffer from CPU constraints due to design and lack of heat dissipation capabilities. And there are sessions in my life that need all the horsepower I can throw at them.

Who knows, maybe Apple gives us new options with the coming redesign. But I suppose portability will always be bought with a performance hit compared to desktop solutions. Oh yeah, and FAN NOISE. Physics.