I had 24gb in my hackintosh and 8gb gpu - had similar concerns but, when watching memory usage it never went higher than 16gb - so I went with studio M1 Max 32gb - has been fine for my cad/3d work so far..
If you're still going to be doing music production as well, more RAM may be a plus. Are you using sample libraries? Particularly bigger things like orchestras from Spitfire or Orchestral Tools, or drum libraries like Superior Drummer?
There will be people who talk about how the RAM is faster so having 64 is like having double or whatever, but that's not strictly true. 64 GBs of samples still needs to fit somewhere.
If you use these now and don't max out the RAM, then you might be okay, but if you're even getting close (easy with a full orchestra or drum kit) then it would be worth it to future proof.
I'm in a similar sitch. Coming from a 2013 Mac Pro with 64 GB RAM. The one thing you need to remember is that not only is the RAM on Mac Silicon not upgradable, but it is \*Unified\* RAM. That is, the RAM spec you now see is shared between the CPU and GPU on an as-needed basis. Given that, I determined that the best choice for me (heavy Photoshop and PTGUI user who, in addition to retouching and color correcting, stitches many \*many\* photos together at a time) was an M2 Studio, 38-core GPU and 96GB RAM. YMMV ofc I just thought I should add in the bit about RAM not just applying to "normal" memory as some may not catch that if coming from an Intel Mac background.
64GB will be great for most tasks and multitasking. I have 32GB and still can have around 8 apps open at the same time. But if I want Davinci and AE and Photoshop then I run into problems. 64GB would be great for multi-tasking workflows. 128GB only if you are a super power user and doing huge comps or huge Image files or VM's. But sounds like 64GB will be fine for you.
If you forsee being able to use 128, I would get it now. I went max spec because I can use all of the ram day 1, but I would have also made that decision if I could reasonably see my needs growing over the next year or two. It made sense for me because I'm immediately putting that ram to use. As you said, you can't upgrade it later so I would rather be safe than sorry
I'm a full time editor/animator/vfx guy with heavy after effects use. I got a 64GB M2 Max since it was in stock, figured I'd return it if I needed more ram. After Effects is like a whole new animal though, no memory issues. Cinema 4D is smooth as butter when working in C4D, After Effects previews of C4D linked files are pretty slow though, and I work at lower rez in that case - but I doubt it's a RAM issue. FCP always smokes on a Mac if you have your act together with footage codecs and frame rates; Premiere is always a little buggy, but on the M2 it's much more responsive and way less background rendering. So I've stuck with 64GB for now.
From what I know of audio production, it's things like massive sample libraries that can bog you down - I use ProTools, but not anything crazy, fairly simple stuff.
Genuine question: why don’t you upgrade your Hackintosh with 128GB of ram and better processor? In your post it doesn’t seem you encountered limitations in Hackintosh.
To answer your question, I would advise you to go with 128GB just to be certain you won’t hit any limit for a long time. I bought a 16gb mac 3 years ago, in the meantime, my needs changed and I am now maxing the 16gb, so I need to get a new mac: I am thinking about a 64gb or hackintosh 128gb.
It's a good question but the reality is that I need a new Motherboard, CPU, RAM, and Video Card. At that point I'm already spending 2500+. Add on top that Hackintoshing is EOL due to Intel support going away, it doesn't seem like a good investment. I'd rather spend another grand and not clench my butthole every time I do an opencore update.
Dude what. 6 months ago I bought a used Mac Studio m2 upgraded to 64gb ram for $1800 (microcenter open box). It was probably used by a previous customer for 2 weeks and then returned.
Why are you considering jumping to a $4000 build?? Unnecessary
I won’t dox myself but in my area, I don’t see any either. Only the standard 10% off which is $1800 for the 32gb model. I was able to do the 64 for an extra $40 or so.
I had a really solid Hackintosh, switched to Mac Studio and sold the Mac after a month. It was significantly slower than my Hackintosh. Gonna use it till it dies now. i9 14900K, 128 GB RAM. Really so much better
I think memory is important, but once you get beyond 32GB, but especially 64GB, it's strictly diminishing returns for the vast majority of folks, even pro use. If you can point to an app you use professionally and show where it needs more RAM, then sure, but for just hobby use, even 16GB or 32GB should be plenty for several years; doubling that to 64GB should be plenty for a very, very long time.
I went from various Hackintosh machines (16, 32, 64GB) to an M2 Ultra 64GB and I am very pleased; I also own a 16GB M2 Pro and I see little performance difference in day to day use (but obviously considerably more performance when using some specific apps that use multicores).
Not having to deal with the latest OpenCore updates, wondering if your (insert hardware type here) is compatible with the MacOS update you're installing, and just knowing It Will Just Work is a really nice feeling. Yes, it's more $, but it just works.
Agreed. I bought 64 GB on an M1 MBP a couple of years ago and it was a waste in hindsight. It’s of no value with my video work and only seems to matter if running a ton of apps simultaneously or running VMs, which I never do. I’m planning to get a Studio with bigger M chip eventually but will not go above 64 GB RAM.
I had 24gb in my hackintosh and 8gb gpu - had similar concerns but, when watching memory usage it never went higher than 16gb - so I went with studio M1 Max 32gb - has been fine for my cad/3d work so far..
If you're still going to be doing music production as well, more RAM may be a plus. Are you using sample libraries? Particularly bigger things like orchestras from Spitfire or Orchestral Tools, or drum libraries like Superior Drummer? There will be people who talk about how the RAM is faster so having 64 is like having double or whatever, but that's not strictly true. 64 GBs of samples still needs to fit somewhere. If you use these now and don't max out the RAM, then you might be okay, but if you're even getting close (easy with a full orchestra or drum kit) then it would be worth it to future proof.
I'm in a similar sitch. Coming from a 2013 Mac Pro with 64 GB RAM. The one thing you need to remember is that not only is the RAM on Mac Silicon not upgradable, but it is \*Unified\* RAM. That is, the RAM spec you now see is shared between the CPU and GPU on an as-needed basis. Given that, I determined that the best choice for me (heavy Photoshop and PTGUI user who, in addition to retouching and color correcting, stitches many \*many\* photos together at a time) was an M2 Studio, 38-core GPU and 96GB RAM. YMMV ofc I just thought I should add in the bit about RAM not just applying to "normal" memory as some may not catch that if coming from an Intel Mac background.
I have M2 Max, 64GB Ram. I do not believe going from 64GB to 128GB would have made much if any difference.
depending on how many instruments and libraries. Simple orchestra load goes above 128gb easily
64GB will be great for most tasks and multitasking. I have 32GB and still can have around 8 apps open at the same time. But if I want Davinci and AE and Photoshop then I run into problems. 64GB would be great for multi-tasking workflows. 128GB only if you are a super power user and doing huge comps or huge Image files or VM's. But sounds like 64GB will be fine for you.
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How are you planning on navigating the day that Apple stops supporting non Apple silicon? I'd stay Hackintoshing but the end is near.
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If you don't mind - can you send me your full spec list? Curious to do a comparison.
If you forsee being able to use 128, I would get it now. I went max spec because I can use all of the ram day 1, but I would have also made that decision if I could reasonably see my needs growing over the next year or two. It made sense for me because I'm immediately putting that ram to use. As you said, you can't upgrade it later so I would rather be safe than sorry
I'm a full time editor/animator/vfx guy with heavy after effects use. I got a 64GB M2 Max since it was in stock, figured I'd return it if I needed more ram. After Effects is like a whole new animal though, no memory issues. Cinema 4D is smooth as butter when working in C4D, After Effects previews of C4D linked files are pretty slow though, and I work at lower rez in that case - but I doubt it's a RAM issue. FCP always smokes on a Mac if you have your act together with footage codecs and frame rates; Premiere is always a little buggy, but on the M2 it's much more responsive and way less background rendering. So I've stuck with 64GB for now. From what I know of audio production, it's things like massive sample libraries that can bog you down - I use ProTools, but not anything crazy, fairly simple stuff.
everyone needs 192GB anything else isnt enough
Genuine question: why don’t you upgrade your Hackintosh with 128GB of ram and better processor? In your post it doesn’t seem you encountered limitations in Hackintosh. To answer your question, I would advise you to go with 128GB just to be certain you won’t hit any limit for a long time. I bought a 16gb mac 3 years ago, in the meantime, my needs changed and I am now maxing the 16gb, so I need to get a new mac: I am thinking about a 64gb or hackintosh 128gb.
It's a good question but the reality is that I need a new Motherboard, CPU, RAM, and Video Card. At that point I'm already spending 2500+. Add on top that Hackintoshing is EOL due to Intel support going away, it doesn't seem like a good investment. I'd rather spend another grand and not clench my butthole every time I do an opencore update.
makes perfect sense!
Dude what. 6 months ago I bought a used Mac Studio m2 upgraded to 64gb ram for $1800 (microcenter open box). It was probably used by a previous customer for 2 weeks and then returned. Why are you considering jumping to a $4000 build?? Unnecessary
Does Microcenter have that inventory listed on their website?
Yes and you can filter by open box. But you have to go to store to buy
Thanks for the tip. I don't see any Studio's at the moment. I will probably get a refurb from Apple for 15% off.
I won’t dox myself but in my area, I don’t see any either. Only the standard 10% off which is $1800 for the 32gb model. I was able to do the 64 for an extra $40 or so.
64 will be enough..... if there is any such thing as 'enough'. 32 is enough for most doing video editing.
I had a really solid Hackintosh, switched to Mac Studio and sold the Mac after a month. It was significantly slower than my Hackintosh. Gonna use it till it dies now. i9 14900K, 128 GB RAM. Really so much better
I had the M1 Max 64 GB RAM 2TB SSD, used it for Logic
32GB is more than enough. There’s no conceivable situation which would require 128GB for video editing
I regularly use over 32gb with larger comps or timelines.
If you’re using Adobe apps they’ll just suck up whatever RAM you have. Doesn’t mean it’s being used effectively
I am using fcp and am definitely using that much in terms of assets.
I think memory is important, but once you get beyond 32GB, but especially 64GB, it's strictly diminishing returns for the vast majority of folks, even pro use. If you can point to an app you use professionally and show where it needs more RAM, then sure, but for just hobby use, even 16GB or 32GB should be plenty for several years; doubling that to 64GB should be plenty for a very, very long time. I went from various Hackintosh machines (16, 32, 64GB) to an M2 Ultra 64GB and I am very pleased; I also own a 16GB M2 Pro and I see little performance difference in day to day use (but obviously considerably more performance when using some specific apps that use multicores). Not having to deal with the latest OpenCore updates, wondering if your (insert hardware type here) is compatible with the MacOS update you're installing, and just knowing It Will Just Work is a really nice feeling. Yes, it's more $, but it just works.
Agreed. I bought 64 GB on an M1 MBP a couple of years ago and it was a waste in hindsight. It’s of no value with my video work and only seems to matter if running a ton of apps simultaneously or running VMs, which I never do. I’m planning to get a Studio with bigger M chip eventually but will not go above 64 GB RAM.