Non-gamer with memory question?

3 GB is all you need.

2 GB is usually enough for almost anything. 3 definitely is, unless you're doing HD video editing, or running 100 browser windows simultaneously.

One correction - you can't have 3 GB Shared Dual Channel in just 2 DIMMs. DIMMs have to be matched pairs to run dual channel. 3 GB = 2GB + 1GB - not matched. But then, you don't really need the speed boost of dual channel memory.

Buy the 3GB upgrade, you can run anything and not have to worry about it. It's annoying to have to through away a perfectly good 1 GB module in the future simply because your system has no more memory slots available to add memory in the future. You wind up paying for a 2GB module, but only getting an additional 1 GB benefit out of it if you upgrade in the future.

Vytautas is kind of right. There are a couple of variables to go through.

First: Do you usually have a lot of other programs running in the background? These would be things like iTunes, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Windows Media Player. Having these programs sit in 'idle' actually takes a lot of memory (RAM), even if they are seemingly inactive.

Second: What OS (operating system) are you going to be using? Windows Vista and Windows 7 both use a program that makes the background 'active'. The program will show up as dwm.exe in your Task Manager (the CTRL, ALT, DEL screen). This program makes all the windows look more appealing. This program gives the windows that translucent effect (like a foggy mirror). It also allows you to bring up all the windows and scroll through them (like scrolling though the Album Covers on an iPod Touch/ iPhone). This program uses A LOT of RAM.

For someone who doesn't do a lot of gaming, I'd recommend 3GB of RAM.

I've been building computers as a hobby for many years. Before you buy the 3GB (which will come as 3 sticks of 1GB) make sure the motherboard has more than two (2) RAM slots. (Unless it's an extra $40 for a computer that already has the 3GB built in, then you don't have to worry).

Hope this helps! You can e-mail me with any questions, if you want.

2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz (2 DIMM) enough, you don't need more than that for those purposes

Do the upgrade to 3 GB Dual Channel, this will empower your machine.

2GB should be enough, I've run some pretty hefty games, like Crysis with 2GB. Save your cash, you can always upgrade later if you run into problems.

3GB will be enough for anything. 4GB is a waste of money unless you are using a 64bit OS.