I wouldn't say 32-64GB is too much for some of those tasks, CAD and the like could easily spike 128GB with modern systems. The RAM is just an option because the Intel processor is designed for servers/workstations and simply allows you to. It's also useful if you have a rig of GPU's, which this iMac is capable of powering a number of eGPU systems so for very remote circumstances I can see it being useful.
In comparison, a Dell workstation can run you a lot higher, the CPU and RAM being the primary cost drive
You can browse just fine using 8 or even 4gb of ram.
Granted it will begin to slow down at some point, much sooner than with more, but it will work just fine.
What you are seeing is the system doing what it's supposed to do, using what is available. What's the point of having all that ram if it's just sitting there idle? It will release it if needed, but it will take what it can because that's what makes it most efficient. This is especially important on a laptop where you can trade ram for cpu and drive cycles, both of which consume far more battery than the ram.
Also, run a good adblocker, on many webpages more than half the data is just ads and tracking data (mostly the latter!). It's insane how much tracking happens, particularly on news sites.
32GB useful for dev (Score:4, Insightful)
I wouldn't say 32-64GB is too much for some of those tasks, CAD and the like could easily spike 128GB with modern systems. The RAM is just an option because the Intel processor is designed for servers/workstations and simply allows you to. It's also useful if you have a rig of GPU's, which this iMac is capable of powering a number of eGPU systems so for very remote circumstances I can see it being useful.
In comparison, a Dell workstation can run you a lot higher, the CPU and RAM being the primary cost drive
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
Incorrect and old thinking (Score:2)
Granted it will begin to slow down at some point, much sooner than with more, but it will work just fine.
What you are seeing is the system doing what it's supposed to do, using what is available. What's the point of having all that ram if it's just sitting there idle? It will release it if needed, but it will take what it can because that's what makes it most efficient. This is especially important on a laptop where you can trade ram for cpu and drive cycles, both of which consume far more battery than the ram.
Also, run a good adblocker, on many webpages more than half the data is just ads and tracking data (mostly the latter!). It's insane how much tracking happens, particularly on news sites.