32GB vs 64GB vs 96GB: How much RAM do you need in the Apple M2 Max Mac Studio?

The improved M2 Max Apple Mac Studio is going strong in its second year of existence The company offers four configurations of the new compact computer: two with the M2 Max and two with the M2 Ultra. They start with 32 GB of memory and go up to 192 GB, making the new Studio the perfect computer for professionals. An M3 or M4-powered Mac Studio seems to be far off, and pro users can comfortably bet on this machine for all sorts of productivity workloads.

However, choosing the right amount of memory can be daunting, and buyers will need to make this decision at the time of purchase because, unlike PCs, the RAM inside the Mac is not upgradeable. We have analyzed the target demographic and pricing details of the latest Mac Studio and, in this article, will provide detailed insights into how much memory works best for you. The answer will vary depending on what you intend to do on your computer, so keep reading.

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How much RAM do you need in the new 2023 Apple Mac Studio?

Apple announced the Mac Pro and Studio computers at the WWDC 2023 keynote with two chipset offerings: M2 Ultra and M2 Max. The system is intended for pro-grade users who want the extra computing horsepower these high-end processors are capable of. Here's a glance at the specs these new machines bring to the table:

	Base version Mac Pro	Topped out Mac Pro	Base version Mac Studio	Intermediate Mac Studio	High-end Mac Studio	Topped out Mac Studio
Processor	M2 Ultra	M2 Ultra	M2 Max	M2 Max	M2 Ultra	M2 Ultra
CPU core count	24	24	12	16	24	24
GPU core count	60	76	30	38	60	76
Neural Engine core count	16	16	16	16	16	16
Memory	64 GB	192 GB	32 GB	96 GB	128 GB	192 GB
Storage	1 TB	8 TB	512 GB	1 TB	4 TB	8 TB
Price	$6,999	$12,348	$1,999	$3,199	$6,999	$8,799

Both the high-end tower and the compact desk PC support up to 192 GB of Unified Memory. This means that the RAM is shared between the CPU, the GPU, and the Neural Engine. Thus, memory configurations on the Mac aren't the same as on a PC, where system memory and graphics memory are purchased and listed separately.

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Is 32 GB of unified memory enough for the new Mac Studio?

For basic web browsing, moderate 4K video editing, and casual content creation, we believe 32 GB of memory is sufficient. You can easily multitask without worrying about running out of resources. Software for creatives, like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, run flawlessly on this setup with zero hiccups.

With 32 GB of system RAM, you will have a reliable setup for the next few years. You won't encounter any performance issues when running tasks or applications, so you can rely on it for professional work as well.

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Do you need 64 GB of RAM for the new Mac Studio?

64 GB of RAM is plenty for any modern workload, including resource-intensive tasks like 3D modeling, rendering, video editing, or multitasking. This $400 upgrade unlocks creative freedom for professionals working in the industry. If you are a game developer, a Hollywood VFX artist, or someone who needs a ton of system memory to carry out your day-to-day work, this upgrade should be a priority.

However, users who don't have any particular use cases for the extra 32 GB RAM won't notice any differences in speed, but they may want to future-proof the system for the next five to seven years. However, you will likely be better off spending the money on a larger SSD to see immediate benefits.

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Do you need 96 GB of RAM for the new Mac Studio?

Only 0.1% of all workloads on the planet require 96 GB of system memory on the new Mac Studio, so this is only intended for very niche use cases. Apple charges a hefty $800 for the extra 64 GB of memory over the base variant, pushing the total cost of the Mac Studio to over $3,000.

Here's a few use cases that can utilize the 96 GB of RAM on the system:

1. AI training: Unlike PCs, Apple systems have Unified Memory, which means system memory is shared between the CPU and the GPU. The M2 Ultra has a capable graphics chip, which can train some small-scale AI models ⎯ up to 2-3B parameters. The extra RAM allows users to load up massive models. Meta's 65B Llama 2 would run without hiccups. The industry mostly uses Nvidia GPUs for AI training, however, and an M2 Ultra wouldn't be your best bet.
2. File compression: If you are into massive file compression workloads, the extra RAM would come in handy. This would be strictly a professional scenario, however. It's better to opt for proper workstations with Intel Xeon chips for added scalability and options to upgrade.
3. Scientific research: If you are into scientific research, and need the extra system memory for your particular internal testing purposes, the extra RAM can come in handy. This specifically applies to computer scientists.

Unless you specifically know that 64 GB of memory won't be sufficient for your needs, you are advised against spending the cash for this upgrade. If you don't have a specific use case, the extra $800 will not improve your computing experience in any other way. Instead, you should consider using the extra money for a 2 TB SSD, which will help you store more information.