PC Memory - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/23/2007 12:29:11 PM · #1

How much memory should I get? I purchased my computer three years ago with 1GB of memory. Now, with three years advancement in software and my recent upgrade to a camera that produces files twice as large as my previous camera, I am finding that I don't have enough memory. In fact, when I tried to run several photos through Panorama Factory to stitch them together the program shut down because I ran out of memory. So, the question of the day is, how much should I get? I have 4 DIMMs on my mother board, and the memory that I currently have is 2 sticks of 512. Would two more 512 sticks be enough, or do I need to replace those and upgrade to 3-1GB sticks instead? Any ideas from people who have 2 GBs? Is that going to be enough for now, or will I be wasting my money? I don't plan on upgrading my computer for a few more years, so I would want a solution that will be good for quite some time.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Scott

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

03/23/2007 12:48:36 PM · #2

With RAM the simple answer is always, "as much as you can afford".

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

03/23/2007 12:50:07 PM · #3

Well for Gamers, we have foiund out that 2 sticks runs faster then 4. But its said in the business world the difference wont matter. Not sure how itll affect photography work though. But there is a proven difference.

So if you have the cash id just lay out 2 1GB sticks.

Im guessing your using DDR and have a board that supports atleast 2 GB of ram. Remember board support is important but the procesor and OS also have addressing limitations. I know that the most a 32 bit server can address is 4GB. Its said that XP supports 3 but i was nevr aware of this it will support 2 but not 4.

ALso remember if your mixing ram that if your mixing slower ram with faster ram the bus is limited to the speed of the slower ram. Its always best to have all of the sticks matched.

And of course as i said a Matched Pair is beter then 4. If the board supports dual channel ram then thats another added benifit if you get 2 dual channel sticks.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

03/23/2007 12:54:32 PM · #4

start with 2 gigs and see how it goes

fas-ligand

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

03/23/2007 01:04:42 PM · #5

I have done computer repairs and tech support for years. As for RAM, I've tried several different kinds and brands. While there really isn't much difference between brands, I highly recommend Crucial...and in your case, 2 gigs should be a decent amount. Two 1 gig sticks of matching RAM that is. Also, if you go to www.crucial.com, you can use their online software that scans your computer for acceptable speeds of RAM and tells you what you have in there now. It's nice software.

My 2 cents..

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

03/23/2007 02:45:03 PM · #6

Originally posted by fas-ligand:

For busines applicationuse maybe.

But even 2 different sticks of ram from the same company with the same bus speed and same amount of ram can have differences. everything down to latency timings can make crucial differences in providing data at high speeds.

As far as image processing goes i guess its okay to have slight delays lasting from millseconds to seconds.

Im a gamer so 1 Frame Per Second or a misrender can ruin my day.

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

03/23/2007 10:22:31 PM · #7

I ordered a Dell 2 days ago with 4GB of RAM was only $200 more than 2GB so I say what the hell. Dunno if it was overkill, but it'll certainly be better than the 512MB I'm running on both my laptop and pc.

03/23/2007 10:47:19 PM · #8

Originally posted by Jacko:

Well if running a 64 bit processor and a 64 bit OS it can adress more then 4GB of ram. Not sure what the limit on Vista is but i know a 32 bit processor can address 4 GB of ram just not XP.

If the laptop survives long enough then its a worthwhile investment.

Message edited by author 2007-03-23 22:48:01.

03/23/2007 11:16:15 PM · #9

Well, for cost reasons, I just purchased two more sticks of 512 each, so now I'm at a total of 2GB. However, I am still having a problem with Panorama Factory. When attempting to stitch some files from my 5D, I get an "Out of Memory" error and the program terminates. I was hoping that the increased memory would solve that problem, but it didn't. Does anyone have an idea on how to get that error resolved?

03/23/2007 11:19:41 PM · #10

Originally posted by traquino98:

Its probly using virtual memory.

1 - Check for memory usage settings in the program. It might use scratch disks like Photoshop allow it more space for the hard drive.

2 - Switch Windows priority from Background Process's to Applications in System, Advanced, Performance Settings.

03/23/2007 11:23:19 PM · #11

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

Its probly using virtual memory.

1 - Check for memory usage settings in the program. It might use scratch disks like Photoshop allow it more space for the hard drive.

I cannot find any setting to change within the program.

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

2 - Switch Windows priority from Background Process's to Applications in System, Advanced, Performance Settings.

I have the settings switched to programs for the processor scheduling and memory usage, and I have increased the PF size to 4GB. Any other ideas?

Message edited by author 2007-03-23 23:23:38.

03/23/2007 11:25:41 PM · #12

Sounds like an internal problem with the program. The streams probly have a defined size. The author didnt think it would need to be larger at that point in time and didnt feel it necesarry to write the program to handle larger data.

How old is the particular version of the program your using a build date would be cool to know.

Message edited by author 2007-03-23 23:30:02.

03/23/2007 11:28:12 PM · #13

ALso according to the website version 3.2 Fixed an out of memory error.

"TR 350 PFBatch receives "out of memory" errors when it should not"

Version 4.4 is the latest seems to have 3 or 4 other memory fixes.

If you are using an older version of the Panorama facotry try the 30 day trial of 4.4 and see if it doesnt have the same issue.

Message edited by author 2007-03-23 23:29:03.

03/23/2007 11:31:18 PM · #14

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

I'm running v 4.4, and still getting the problem. I have tried all of the fixes on their site also, but with no luck.

03/23/2007 11:31:50 PM · #15

Okay dumb question have you tried a different program?

Message edited by author 2007-03-23 23:33:22.

03/23/2007 11:48:47 PM · #16

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

Okay dumb question have you tried a different program?

Well, I probably thought of that about the same time as you. I just finished downloading hugin to give it a try. It's just painful to think that a year or so ago I actually spent money for the Panorama Factory, and now it isn't working for me. Very frustrating! I'll see what Hugin can do. Are there any other suggestions as to which program to get?

03/24/2007 01:36:13 AM · #17

Originally posted by traquino98:

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
Okay dumb question have you tried a different program?

Well, I probably thought of that about the same time as you. I just finished downloading hugin to give it a try. It's just painful to think that a year or so ago I actually spent money for the Panorama Factory, and now it isn't working for me. Very frustrating! I'll see what Hugin can do. Are there any other suggestions as to which program to get?

Not really i havent even had a chnace to stich images from my new canon. Just moved and i just took over 3 different deperatments at work. I went from front counter parts to covering service parts to managing warranty division and im pickign up a missing position in the body shop.

1 guy will be back in a week and the ther is being replaced. Hopefully after that ill take yet another position double my income and not be a broke 21 year old.

If something else works the internal structure of panorama factory may be getting taxed. Theres steps to handling file streams and processing that data past whatever memory limitations it has. Simple things cause problem such as using 64 bit unsigned integers when doing calculations rather then signed 32 bit integers.

I dont know how their program works or how it was written. Im sure if the limitation s in the program they are working on a new version to solve it.

03/24/2007 02:36:42 AM · #18

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

Just moved and i just took over 3 different deperatments at work. I went from front counter parts to covering service parts to managing warranty division and im pickign up a missing position in the body shop.

1 guy will be back in a week and the ther is being replaced. Hopefully after that ill take yet another position double my income and not be a broke 21 year old.

You know, it's funny. I could figure out that you worked at a dealership by what you said before I read your profile page. They can sure be hectic and time-consuming, can't they?

Sigma 35mm f1.4 dg hsm for Canon

03/24/2007 07:55:49 AM · #19

Originally posted by traquino98:

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
Just moved and i just took over 3 different deperatments at work. I went from front counter parts to covering service parts to managing warranty division and im pickign up a missing position in the body shop.

1 guy will be back in a week and the ther is being replaced. Hopefully after that ill take yet another position double my income and not be a broke 21 year old.

You know, it's funny. I could figure out that you worked at a dealership by what you said before I read your profile page. They can sure be hectic and time-consuming, can't they?

Yeah well my next step is to sell parts on commission. I asked one of the salesmen i run parts for if i can make atleast 2000 a month and he said "Hell if i can't make at least 3000 a month you wouldn't see me here".

So i might give that a try. It's not like selling parts to customers the techs have to have parts. Its not that easy either but either way if i can double my income i might get a new car lol. And be able to afford insurance.

Ubersteiny

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/24/2007 01:23:07 PM · #20

Originally posted by traquino98:

i would recommend PtGui. great program

valkner

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

03/24/2007 01:41:11 PM · #21

The biggest thing is to find out how much RAM your computer can take and make sure you get the same kind (not necessarily the same brand)