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User profile for user: susan_wagener
susan_wagener Author
User level: Level 1
7 points

Ram vs Unified memory - how do I know how much I will need

I currently have 128 GB 2667 MHz DDR4 memory on my iMac. Which also has 3.8 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7 and AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT 8 GB.


With the new Unified memory, I cannot find any topic that compares the amount of unified memory that will equal 128 gb ram I currently use with Lightroom, Photoshop and Final Cut Pro.


Since we cannot upgrade the unified memory, how do I know what will do as well as the 128 gb ram in Unified Memory? Anything less than the 128 GB ram and Lightroom/photoshop/final cut pro really slow down.


Thanks for any help you can give as I research my options for a new mac mini.


Susan

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Jan 20, 2023 1:43 PM

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User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
205,877 points

Posted on Jan 20, 2023 2:15 PM

RAM and Unified memory are essentially the same thing. Unified memory is just RAM built into the CPU chip for Apple silicon Macs. Its "unified" with the CPU.

So 128GB of RAM would equate to 128GB of unified memory.


Only the Mac Studio offers 128GB configurations.


With anything else, go for the highest amount of RAM your budget permits. Apple silicon runs Lightroom and Photoshop much faster and more efficiently than Intel CPUs so performance will be as good or better even with less RAM.



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User profile for user: Phil0124
Phil0124
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
205,877 points

Jan 20, 2023 2:15 PM in response to susan_wagener

RAM and Unified memory are essentially the same thing. Unified memory is just RAM built into the CPU chip for Apple silicon Macs. Its "unified" with the CPU.

So 128GB of RAM would equate to 128GB of unified memory.


Only the Mac Studio offers 128GB configurations.


With anything else, go for the highest amount of RAM your budget permits. Apple silicon runs Lightroom and Photoshop much faster and more efficiently than Intel CPUs so performance will be as good or better even with less RAM.



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Ram vs Unified memory - how do I know how much I will need

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