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Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

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    Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    Hi all,

    I currently have a fairly fast i7 processor. SSD and 16 GB DDR4 RAM. Laptop.

    On a daily basis I use Excel where data is loaded into Excel from an SQL database. At the same time (or almost), I run two other programs. Excel tends to freeze up a bit when loading data. Yes, the code is optimized.

    I was wondering if it could benefit me to have 32 GB DDR4 RAM instead. The cost is relatively small such that I can risk trying this, but I'd be curious to hear what other experiences people have on this.

    Thanks in advance.

    Elijah

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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    Without knowing anything about the data you are loading or the other two programs you are using or what those programs are doing, it is impossible to say. What is the code you are talking about that is optimized--VBA code in your Excel file? How is it optimized? When you say "Excel tends to freeze up a bit" does that imply that the other two programs are not affected?

    Have you watched Task Manager for CPU and memory utilization when you see this slowdown? Although you have a powerful CPU, running three CPU-intensive processes could be your bottleneck rather than memory.

    Adding memory will help only if your processing has become memory-bound. I have an i7 processor but only 8GB of RAM and I have no problem like what you are describing. You need to do a little engineering to see where your constraints are.
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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    Do you have 64 bit Office? If not, adding more RAM probably won't help Excel.
    Rory

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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    Quote Originally Posted by 6StringJazzer View Post
    Without knowing anything about the data you are loading or the other two programs you are using or what those programs are doing, it is impossible to say. What is the code you are talking about that is optimized--VBA code in your Excel file? How is it optimized? When you say "Excel tends to freeze up a bit" does that imply that the other two programs are not affected?

    Have you watched Task Manager for CPU and memory utilization when you see this slowdown? Although you have a powerful CPU, running three CPU-intensive processes could be your bottleneck rather than memory.

    Adding memory will help only if your processing has become memory-bound. I have an i7 processor but only 8GB of RAM and I have no problem like what you are describing. You need to do a little engineering to see where your constraints are.
    Hi,

    Thanks for answering.

    What is the code you are talking about that is optimized--VBA code in your Excel file? How is it optimized? When you say "Excel tends to freeze up a bit" does that imply that the other two programs are not affected?
    The code/VBA which loads data from SQL into Excel. I've had several professionals look at it, so I don't think it can get any better.

    I can't say for sure if the other programs are affected, but generally, I don't like when that happens...

    Have you watched Task Manager for CPU and memory utilization when you see this slowdown? Although you have a powerful CPU, running three CPU-intensive processes could be your bottleneck rather than memory.
    I'm testing now.

    At baseline, memory usage is 33-35 % just running a web browser. Seems a bit high to me.

    I just ran my C# application which calculates stuff and then loaded data from SQL into Excel.

    There was a 'pulse' up towards 40%.

    Does being below 40% indicate that I have sufficient memory then?

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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    Quote Originally Posted by rorya View Post
    Do you have 64 bit Office? If not, adding more RAM probably won't help Excel.
    Correct

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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    I fired up my other programs as well. Memory usage peaked at 52 % and is now stable at 46 %.

    Being well below 100% - does this mean extra memory is superfluous? Or could I still benefit?

    Thanks.

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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    If you are peaking at 52% you are not going to benefit by adding more memory. Memory should get to 60-70% before you start to notice memory-bound performance issues.

    Next time you do this look at CPU utilization.

    I have not used 64-bit Excel, but I think the performance gains happen when you load very large files (>20MB). I have not done any performance benchmarks but I am skeptical that 64-bit Excel would automatically give everyone performance gains; I would think it depends on a lot of how you are using Excel.

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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    Only few instance you'd need 64-bit Office and/or will benefit from 32GB RAM.

    1. When you load large amount of data into memory (i.e. loading data model in excess of few GB in size). However, you may notice performance gain when dealing with around 600MB or so data model, as memory is shared with other processes.

    2. If you deal with large image files, videos etc in PowerPoint

    3. If you are developer for in-house Office solutions, you'd want 64 bit for testing.

    For most, 16GB RAM is more than plenty.
    You'll notice more performance gain from # of threads available for calculation etc (i.e. CPU core#). Though not VBA as it's limited to single thread.
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    Re: Is 32 GB worth if for Excel 64-bit? I have large sheets and import data from SQL.

    Thanks a lot, everyone. Seems like more memory is not the solution after all then. Saved me some money and work there.

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