title: MATLAB sparse matrix solvers? memory errors
body: <p>In the context of a finite element problem, I have a 12800x12800 sparse matrix. I'm trying to solve the linear system just using MATLAB's <code>\</code> operator to solve and I get an out of memory error using mldivide. So I'm just wondering if there's a way to speed this up.</p>
  
  <p>I mean, will something like LU factorization actually help here in terms of not getting the memory error anymore? I increased the heap size to 256 GB in preferences, which is the max I can get it to, and I still get the out of memory error.</p>
  
  <p>Also, just a general question. I have 8GB of RAM on my laptop right now. Will upgrading to 16GB help at all? Or maybe something I can do to allocate more memory to MATLAB? I'm pretty unfamiliar with this stuff.</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/9tIwh.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>