{"id":21722,"date":"2023-02-09T16:21:47","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T15:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g100.us\/?p=21722"},"modified":"2023-05-05T16:07:34","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T14:07:34","slug":"apple-unified-memory-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Unified Memory (Apple) and How Much Do You Need?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66844d1e3874a\" class=\"cssicon\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66844d1e3874a\" class=\"cssiconcheckbox\">1<\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66844d1e3874a\" checked><nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 \"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Whats_Unified_Memory\" title=\"What\u2019s Unified Memory?\">What\u2019s Unified Memory?<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Why_Is_Unified_Memory_So_Fast\" title=\"Why Is Unified Memory So Fast?\">Why Is Unified Memory So Fast?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#How_Does_Apples_Unified_Memory_Work\" title=\"How Does Apple\u2019s Unified Memory Work?\">How Does Apple\u2019s Unified Memory Work?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Unified_Memory_-_Biggest_Drawbacks\" title=\"Unified Memory \u2014 Biggest Drawbacks\">Unified Memory \u2014 Biggest Drawbacks<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#How_Much_Unified_Memory_Do_You_Need\" title=\"How Much Unified Memory Do You Need?\">How Much Unified Memory Do You Need?<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Unified_Memory_recommendations_for_specific_Workloads\" title=\"Unified Memory recommendations for specific Workloads\">Unified Memory recommendations for specific Workloads<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#How_Much_Unified_Memory_Can_My_Apple_Device_Have\" title=\"How Much Unified Memory Can My Apple Device Have?\">How Much Unified Memory Can My Apple Device Have?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#FAQ\" title=\"FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Is_Unified_Memory_the_Same_as_RAM\" title=\"Is Unified Memory the Same as RAM?\">Is Unified Memory the Same as RAM?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#How_Much_Unified_Memory_Do_I_Need\" title=\"How Much Unified Memory Do I Need?\">How Much Unified Memory Do I Need?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Is_8GB_of_Unified_Memory_Enough\" title=\"Is 8GB of Unified Memory Enough?\">Is 8GB of Unified Memory Enough?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Can_I_Upgrade_My_Unified_Memory\" title=\"Can I Upgrade My Unified Memory?\">Can I Upgrade My Unified Memory?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Should_I_Buy_More_Storage_or_Unified_Memory\" title=\"Should I Buy More Storage or Unified Memory?\">Should I Buy More Storage or Unified Memory?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Is_Unified_Memory_Superior_to_RAM\" title=\"Is Unified Memory Superior to RAM?\">Is Unified Memory Superior to RAM?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/apple-unified-memory-guide\/#Over_to_You\" title=\"Over to You\">Over to You<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>If you\u2019ve been thinking about buying an ARM-based Apple device, you must\u2019ve heard of <strong>Unified Memory.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It sounds fancy, there\u2019s no doubt about it, but <em>what <\/em>is it exactly, and how much of it do you <em>really<\/em> need?<\/p>\n<p>Understanding its peculiar (and most impressive) nature is of the utmost importance as it is, in part, what makes Apple\u2019s latest and greatest devices so darn powerful (and devilishly fast, too).<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a fair bit of ground to cover, so let\u2019s get down to the nitty-gritty!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_Unified_Memory\"><\/span>What\u2019s Unified Memory?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple's <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/m1-vs-m2-macbook\/\">M1 and M2<\/a> chipsets (and, presumably, their successors) are all tightly integrated. Unlike traditional x86 computers, these SoCs (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/System_on_a_chip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">System-on-a-Chip<\/a>) contain most key components underneath the same hood.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21731\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC.jpg\" alt=\"Components of Apple\u2019s M1 and M2 SOC\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21731 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Components of Apple\u2019s M1 and M2 SOC\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/Components-of-Apples-M1-and-M2-SOC.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>This kind of design has allowed Apple to create a unified memory architecture which, in turn, allows both the CPU <em>and<\/em> GPU to access the <em>same <\/em>pool of memory.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is similar to a regular <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/igpu-vs-dgpu\/\">iGPU set-up<\/a> but only on the surface level \u2014 Apple\u2019s UMA (Unified Memory Architecture) is <em>much <\/em>more advanced than it might seem at first glance.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, it is <em>vastly <\/em>different from what we\u2019ve all become accustomed to over in the x86 world \u2014 an architecture that, while undoubtedly sufficient, isn\u2019t nearly as <em>avant-garde<\/em> as what Apple has to offer.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Unified_Memory_So_Fast\"><\/span>Why Is Unified Memory So Fast?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In a standard, Windows-based PC, your CPU communicates directly with your Random Access Memory (or <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/ram-types\/\">RAM<\/a>, for short).<\/p>\n<p>Dedicated graphics cards have their <em>own <\/em>pool of dedicated memory \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/vram-guide\/\">VRAM<\/a> \u2014 the amount of which tends to vary <em>wildly <\/em>based on the model you have and its intended use-case.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21733\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory.jpg\" alt=\"x86 vs ARM bassed Memory\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21733 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"x86 vs ARM bassed Memory\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/x86-vs-ARM-bassed-Memory.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>The only \u201cissue,\u201d however, is that it still takes time for these pools of memory to be accessed by your processor and graphics card (and other components, too). They might be in relatively close proximity, but there's still a limit in regard to the <em>speed <\/em>at which they can be accessed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Now, by no means is this limit debilitating, but it exists nonetheless.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The faster your components can communicate and transfer data, the faster your device will perform and execute whichever task you might throw its way.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Apples_Unified_Memory_Work\"><\/span>How Does Apple\u2019s Unified Memory Work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Unlike regular motherboards and RAM sockets which use a system of wires (typically called a bus) to communicate and transmit data, unified memory relies on an interposer substrate (a layer of silicon, in other words) for the same task \u2014 hence the much faster performance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The RAM part within Apple's SoCs isn't <em>literally <\/em>a part of the chipset but is rather connected through the same substrate.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It's also as close to the SoC as possible (right beside it, in fact) \u2014 another huge difference whose benefits should not be underestimated as it allows for all kinds of data to transfer at a much greater speed.<\/p>\n<p>Max Tech did a neat test comparing Laptops based on Unified and regular RAM in this video that shows their performance difference in RAM-heavy workloads:<\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Al1OAg9Gin8\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Al1OAg9Gin8\" class=\" lazyload\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unified_Memory_-_Biggest_Drawbacks\"><\/span>Unified Memory \u2014 Biggest Drawbacks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple\u2019s UMA, for all its many strengths and benefits, sure isn\u2019t without a long laundry list of drawbacks and limitations. Let\u2019s take a closer look:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Deceptively<\/strong> <strong>fast<\/strong> \u2014 This might sound like a plus, but it can very easily become negative. Once you\u2019ve used up all of your available memory, your Mac device will immediately (and without hesitation) resort to <a href=\"https:\/\/serverfault.com\/questions\/48486\/what-is-swap-memory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">swap memory<\/a>. The OS itself will still feel (fairly) responsive and snappy, but if this becomes a habit it could, by all means, do a number on your SSD further down the road.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It cannot be upgraded<\/strong> \u2014 This, one could argue, is the biggest and most debilitating problem. On a regular desktop PCs, if you need more RAM, all you need to do is buy another stick or, at worst, swap out your existing memory for a brand-new kit. On an ARM-based Mac device, however, the amount of unified memory cannot be changed no matter what you try. This, for laptops, is somewhat acceptable \u2014 it\u2019s no different in the world of thin-and-light Windows ultrabooks. The Mac Studio (and Mac Mini, for that matter), is a machine that\u2019ll stand on your desk for the years to come. Not being able to upgrade any component whatsoever can, by all means, be deemed a dealbreaker. Now, granted, the machine itself is so darn powerful that, odds are, you won\u2019t <em>need<\/em> to upgrade anything further down the line, but the point stands nonetheless.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Extremely expensive <\/strong>\u2014 Want to double your unified memory? You\u2019ll have to shell out an additional $200. Labeling this as an obscene premium would be an <em>understatement<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Unified_Memory_Do_You_Need\"><\/span>How Much Unified Memory Do You Need?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>That depends on what you plan on doing with your ARM-based Mac device. If it\u2019s just light web browsing, standard productivity work, and perhaps a bit of photo or video editing on the side then you\u2019ll get by with 8GB \u2014 but <em>barely<\/em> so.<\/p>\n<p>Apple\u2019s latest SoCs rely a lot on swap memory which, in the long run, may end up shortening the life span of your internal SSD. <strong>The more RAM you have, the less often your Mac will have to resort to this measure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21734\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage.jpg\" alt=\"RAM vs Pagefile virtual memory usage\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21734 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"RAM vs Pagefile virtual memory usage\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2023\/02\/RAM-vs-Pagefile-virtual-memory-usage.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s the thing: having 8GB of unified memory <em>feels<\/em> a lot faster than it should precisely because of Apple\u2019s engineering wizardry, and while that\u2019s a stellar benefit for all potential buyers, it is nonetheless attained through relatively extreme means \u2014 i.e. a staggering overreliance on swap memory usage.<\/p>\n<p>Having 16GB of unified memory, therefore, is pretty much the sweet spot for most demanding users. That\u2019s still not an <em>incredible <\/em>amount of memory, but it\u2019ll nonetheless suffice for both light <em>and<\/em> heavy workloads alike.<\/p>\n<p>Just keep in mind that there\u2019s no way to upgrade the amount of unified memory on your device, so think twice before making any kind of purchasing decision.<\/p>\n<p>8GB might be a bit too close for comfort so, if you can, make sure to go with 16GB if you\u2019ll be using your device for the years to come and have the tendency to multitask.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aInkpbIOMYc\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aInkpbIOMYc\" class=\" lazyload\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unified_Memory_recommendations_for_specific_Workloads\"><\/span>Unified Memory recommendations for specific Workloads<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We've written an overview guide of <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/how-much-ram-do-you-need\/\">how much RAM you need for different workloads here<\/a>, but while those numbers are great for x86-based machines using actual RAM, with unified memory we have to keep in mind that the GPU also wants its share of memory.<\/p>\n<p>So here's how much unified memory we recommend for different workloads:<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-192\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-192 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Workload \/ Task<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>Minimum Unified Memory Requirement<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-3\"><strong>Recommended Unified Memory  Amount<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Basic_Everyday_Use\">Basic Everyday Use<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">4-8GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">16GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Video_Editing\">Video Editing<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8-16GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Graphic_Design\">Graphic Design<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8-16GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">32GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Motion_Design\">Motion Design<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8-16GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_3D_Modeling\">3D Modeling<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8-16GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">32GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_3D_Rendering\">3D Rendering<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8-16GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_CAD\">CAD<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8-16GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Music_Production\">Music Production<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Programming\">Programming<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">4GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">16GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Gaming\">Gaming<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8-12GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">32GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_Streaming\">Streaming<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">8GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">16GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><a href=\"#How_Much_RAM_Do_You_Need_for_VR\">VR<\/a><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">16GB<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">32GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-192 from cache -->\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Unified_Memory_Can_My_Apple_Device_Have\"><\/span>How Much Unified Memory Can My Apple Device Have?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>That depends on the SoC. Here\u2019s a simplified overview of each chipset in Apple\u2019s line-up (at the time of this writing) and the maximum amount of unified memory that it can support:<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-191\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-191 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Chipset<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>Maximum Amount of Unified Memory<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>M1<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Up to 16GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>M1 Pro<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Up to 32GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>M1 Max<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Up to 64GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>M1 Ultra<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Up to 128GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>M2<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Up to 24GB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-191 from cache -->\n<p>Just keep in mind that each upgrade \u2014 on Apple\u2019s official website \u2014 <strong>will set you back an additional $200.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And, no matter your chipset of choice, you won\u2019t be able to upgrade anything further down the line so think twice before making any kind of purchasing decision.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple\u2019s unified memory is, in short, an astonishing achievement. There\u2019s really no other way to say it. Still, it is a <em>bespoke<\/em> solution, one that comes with quite a long list of drawbacks and limitations \u2014 to say nothing of a steep asking price.<\/p>\n<p>The way it harnesses swap memory is also fascinating \u2014 an 8GB Mac device really <em>does<\/em> feel a lot faster and more capable than one would ever expect.<\/p>\n<p>You shouldn\u2019t, however, let that fool you: eight gigabytes are still eight gigabytes, and no amount of software- or hardware-based wizardry will ever change that.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s go over a few potential questions you might have regard this particular topic:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Unified_Memory_the_Same_as_RAM\"><\/span>Is Unified Memory the Same as RAM?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Well, both yes and no. If we were to approach it from a layman's perspective then we <em>could<\/em>, by all means, think of it in a very similar fashion. It <em>does<\/em>, after all, serve the same function as regular RAM memory.<\/p>\n<p>It's not, however, the same thing, as it can be accessed by various different components of your device. It's more power efficient, it's faster, has (much) higher bandwidth, and is the very core of what makes Apple\u2019s latest chipsets so tremendously capable.<\/p>\n<p>For a deeper dive on all things RAM, make sure to read the <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/what-does-ram-do-in-a-computer\/\">following article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Unified_Memory_Do_I_Need\"><\/span>How Much Unified Memory Do I Need?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>That depends on your workflow and how demanding a user you really are.<\/p>\n<p>What is it that you\u2019re after? A desktop replacement? A thin-and-light ultrabook for your travels? A content creation machine?<\/p>\n<p>8GB of unified memory will suffice for everyday tasks like browsing the web, answering emails, sifting through ten or fifteen tabs in Safari (or your web browser of choice), and it\u2019ll also deliver the kind of performance you need to do some light design work, video\/photo editing, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>If, however, you need to have a billion apps open at the same time and you\u2019re a heavy multitasker \u2014 to say nothing of being a creative professional \u2014 then you should <em>definitely<\/em> and without hesitation go with 16GB.<\/p>\n<p>Those buying an M2-based device have the option of going for 24GB, but if you need that much memory you\u2019d be better off just going with a 14\u201d or 16\u201d MacBook Pro \u2014 it\u2019s a vastly more capable machine.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The 32GB option (and above) is pretty much reserved for the most demanding users out there.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jEbdbuzZCXE\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jEbdbuzZCXE\" class=\" lazyload\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_8GB_of_Unified_Memory_Enough\"><\/span>Is 8GB of Unified Memory Enough?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Only for the simplest everyday tasks.<\/p>\n<p>Apple\u2019s unified memory is blazingly fast, so having 8GB probably won\u2019t <em>feel<\/em> like that big of a limitation, but it\u2019s still a bottleneck of sorts and if you start pushing your Mac device you\u2019ll immediately start feeling the inherent constraints of your configuration.<\/p>\n<p>So, to summarize: you can definitely get by with 8GB but, if you plan on using this device for many years in the future, going with a 16GB model should definitely be a top priority.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_Upgrade_My_Unified_Memory\"><\/span>Can I Upgrade My Unified Memory?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Unified memory cannot be upgraded <em>whatsoever<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It is, therefore, incredibly important to buy an Apple device that has a sufficient amount so as not to face any debilitating bottlenecks further down the line.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20000\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability.jpg\" alt=\"M1 Ultra SoC RAM upgradeability\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20000 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"M1 Ultra SoC RAM upgradeability\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/09\/M1-Ultra-SoC-RAM-upgradeability.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>If in doubt, go with 16GB \u2014 that\u2019s the sweet spot for all but the most demanding users (the consummate professionals, if you will).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_Buy_More_Storage_or_Unified_Memory\"><\/span>Should I Buy More Storage or Unified Memory?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As far as ARM-based Mac devices are concerned, always prioritize buying more unified memory over internal storage.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a tough choice to make (and a costly one at that), but the former should definitely (and without doubt) take precedence.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Unified_Memory_Superior_to_RAM\"><\/span>Is Unified Memory Superior to RAM?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>That\u2019s somewhat of an unfair comparison as they function in such noticeably different ways.<\/p>\n<p>Unified memory <em>is<\/em> superior but its many benefits and sheer potency cannot be <em>detached <\/em>from Apple\u2019s SoC \u2014 <strong>you can\u2019t really observe and evaluate its strengths outside of that vacuum and context.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Moreover, it\u2019s an <em>either\/or<\/em> kind of deal.<\/p>\n<p>If it\u2019s Windows you\u2019re after then there\u2019s no way whatsoever for you to harness Apple\u2019s unified memory and all that it has to offer \u2014 and vice versa, should you be inclined to buy one of Apple\u2019s latest and greatest ARM-based devices.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Over_to_You\"><\/span>Over to You<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple\u2019s unified memory has many incredible benefits, all of which were immediately recognized and praised by both \u201cMac heads\u201d and PC enthusiasts alike.<\/p>\n<p>The way this solution was implemented left no one indifferent. It truly feels like a slice of the future although, to be fair, it\u2019s not without fault \u2014 far from it, in fact.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>What are your thoughts on Apple\u2019s wholly fascinating approach? Has it ever piqued your interest? Let us know in the <a href=\"#comments\">comment<\/a> section down below and, in case you need any help, head over to <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/forum\/\">our forum<\/a> and ask away!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve been thinking about buying an ARM-based Apple device, you must\u2019ve heard of Unified Memory. It sounds fancy, there\u2019s no doubt about it, but what is it exactly, and how much of it do you really need? Understanding its peculiar (and most impressive) nature is of the utmost importance as it is, in part,...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":21723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[290],"tags":[286,120],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21722"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21722"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21742,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21722\/revisions\/21742"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}