Thinkpads Forum

Is 4 GB enough in today's computer age?

Under waht situations will I need 6 or more GB RAM?

Welcome to the forums!

Unless you are an extreme power user, do heavy gaming, or run virtual machines simultaneously then you will need no more than 4GB of memory. How do you plan to use the machine?


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word processing, web browsing and playing online videos that are work related, rips some mp3s from CD (external CD player), mobile broadband access for work to check e-mail and irc chat with boss. MAYBE some Counter-Strike Source once in a while.

Would 4GB give me at least a little more than I prolly will ever need?

I do not yet own an X220 myself, but I can tell you the following:

I have a laptop from 2008 with a Core 2 Duo processor and 3GB of DDR2 667 RAM. Using this computer, I can run virtual machines, play every HL2 based game with maximum settings, and use heavy duty productivity software like AutoCAD and Photoshop-like stuff.

With today's faster hard drives, processors, and DDR3 memory, I recommend that you save your money and stick with the basic 2GB module. It will be plenty for your purposes, and you can always upgrade yourself later for much less than configuring your laptop for more memory.

I would reccomend that you get the smallest amount possible (IIRC it is 4gb) but make sure that you select 1 stick - this leaves the second slot open for future expansion. It does not cost more, but you have to select the option.

craigmontHunter wrote:I would reccomend that you get the smallest amount possible (IIRC it is 4gb)

What does "IIRC" mean?

I often wonder the same thing!

Just googled it, it means "If I Recall Correctly".


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hunterman223 wrote:I often wonder the same thing!

Just googled it, it means "If I Recall Correctly".


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Oh, yes

I thought he was referring to something technical off the Lenovo website. I see now. lol

It was just to cover my butt if it was not true . I would get the base ram install in one stick (like I mentioned above), since lenovo overcharges for upgrades. You can install it yourself no problem, so it is a great way to save money. 4gb is eneough for basic tasks, so you can wait for a couple of years untill the 8gb sticks come down in price .

Besides heavy gaming, is there anything specific that 6 GB is needed for?

hunterman223 wrote:Welcome to the forums!

Unless you are an extreme power user, do heavy gaming, or run virtual machines simultaneously then you will need no more than 4GB of memory. How do you plan to use the machine?


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Pretty much what I said here, plus HD video editing or stuff like AutoCAD, etc.

It's very unlikely that you'll need 6GB. 4GB will be much more than enough for your uses.


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If you have to ask, you don't need it . 6gb (or more) of ram is usefull for things like running virtual machines, database work, some games (though 32-bit games can only use 3gb anyway), cad/cam systems, (pro/semipro) image editing. for day to day use, 4gb should be enough to work for most situations.

>>> word processing, web browsing and playing online videos that are work related, rips some mp3s from CD (external CD player <-- You will find with this lot that a 64-bit machine will have about 2Gb or a bit more memory in use in your machine. A 4Gb machine will have 2Gb or a bit less to spare for whatever comes along in the way of temporary usage. More than 4Gb won't do anything.

I have 4Gb on my quad CPU ThinkCenter M90p and it runs extremely well and fast. I upgraded my Core2 Duo Thinkpad T61p to 8Gb because I run virtual machines. In truth, I rarely run more than one VM at a time, so the 8Gb was probably a waste.

Bottom line: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit runs happily on 4Gb for the vast majority of what people use.

... JDH

Out of curiosity, have you noticed what the most RAM you've used is? How much of 8GB have you actually used at one time?

By the way, are you getting this from Lenovo's site or are you installing it yourself? It's better to get 2 GB and buy another 2 GB stick elsewhere since the 80 dollars you'd spend to get a 2 GB stick would buy you 8 GB elsewhere.

But 4 GB should be enough for your purposes. It's good enough for Windows 7 (it's certainly better than 2 GB for sure), and should be enough for the tasks you described.

It will be enough for you until you replace the machine with something faster.

Based on what you do, 2GB would do, but it'd be cutting it a bit close. 4GB would be more than plenty. Made it through Crysis for the first time on my T400 when it had 2GB of RAM.

>>> have you noticed what the most RAM you've used is? How much of 8GB have you actually used at one time?

It depends (doesn't it always). With no Virtual Machines running, I normally have 5 or 6Gb free. That is, with no Virtual Machines, 4Gb is completely adequate.

I got the machine with 2Gb, noticed an immediate improvement when I went to 3Gb and not much further when I went to 4Gb. ... JDH