Last updated on November 16th, 2024 at 11:38 pm
Have you ever wondered, “How much RAM is enough for gaming?”. This is a question that even experienced gamers struggle to find the answer to. Many gamers will tell you that RAM doesn’t improve your gaming performance that much, while others will say that the more RAM you have, the better.
For inexperienced PC gamers, these divisive opinions can be confusing when looking to build or upgrade a gaming PC. Thankfully, this puzzling dilemma can be solved by reading this guide. Without further ado, let’s find out how much RAM is enough for gaming.
What Is RAM?
RAM (Random Access Memory) is an essential component of any PC because it provides fast access to data needed to run programs. The more RAM you have in your PC, the more possibilities you have to run multiple programs simultaneously without slowing down. When RAM runs out, your computer will use a portion of your storage drive called the swap file as virtual memory, which can cause significant slowdowns and potential crashes, especially if you are using an older computer.
Is 8GB RAM Enough For Gaming?
If you play older games and indie titles, 8GB of RAM should be sufficient. But if you plan on playing newer, demanding games, you might need more RAM to run the game smoothly. Depending on how old your computer is, adding more RAM might not add that much of a performance boost, compared to installing a new SSD. But if you planning on buying or building a new PC, you might want to consider having more than 8GB of RAM.
Is 16GB RAM Good Enough For Gaming?
For most gamers, having 16GB of RAM is a good idea. This amount of RAM will allow you to run the majority of new games that are released today. If you are building a gaming PC on a budget, or want to make a cheap upgrade to your PC, 16GB of RAM is a great choice. But if you are interested in future-proofing your gaming PC, or plan on gaming in high resolutions, you might want to add more than 16GB RAM.
Is 32GB The Right Amount For Gaming?
If you are playing AAA games at high resolutions such as 4K and beyond, 32GB of RAM is an excellent way to stay on the cutting edge. If you do PC streaming, 32GB of RAM will allow you to run multiple programs simultaneously while gaming. Doing this on smaller amounts of RAM such as 8GB or 16GB will cause major stuttering issues, as this amount of heavy multitasking can easily eat through your RAM. If you play simulation games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, or games with loads of custom mods like Cities: Skylines 2, having 32 GB of RAM will give you the ability to run these games smoothly.
Is 64GB+ RAM Overkill For Gaming?
For most gamers, having 64GB of RAM or more might be overkill. But if you use 3D modeling software, do professional photo & video editing, and want to use your computer for games, having 64GB of RAM is highly recommended. Another reason why you may want 64GB of RAM or more is for future-proofing. Why settle for the minimum when you can go for more? Having 64GB or more RAM is great if you don’t plan on upgrading your gaming PC for a long time.
DDR4 Vs DDR5 – What’s The Difference?
DDR5, the latest generation of DDR (Double Data Rate), offers better power management, improved performance, and optimized channel efficiency compared to DDR4. DDR5 also delivers double the bandwidth of DDR4 and brings 1.5x more speed compared to the maximum limit of DDR4. Not all motherboards support DDR5, so check your manufacturer’s specifications first before upgrading to DDR5.
How Much RAM Is Enough For Gaming?
To summarize, here’s the recommended amount of RAM needed for gaming:
| 8GB RAM | For running older games and indie titles |
| 16GB RAM | For running majority of games |
| 32GB RAM | For running demanding AAA titles and games with many mods |
| 64GB+ RAM | For professional work and future-proofing |
Best RAM For Gaming
Thinking about upgrading your RAM? Here’s the best RAM you can buy for gaming.
If you want cutting-edge performance with a stylish appearance, the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB is an excellent choice. With 6400MHz of speed, you can seamlessly run all of your favorite games without worrying about stuttering. Need more speed? With custom Intel XMP 3.0 profiles, you can freely overclock your RAM to your heart’s desire. With iCUE, you can change the way how your RAM looks with preset RGB profiles, or by making your own customization. Whether you are gaming, streaming, or multitasking, the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB is the best DDR5 RAM you can buy.
Want to boost your gaming laptop’s performance? The Kingston FURY Impact is a great way to get the most out of your gaming laptop. Experience gaming on a whole new level with 6400MHz of speed. With automatic overclocking, you can easily get the most out of your RAM without fiddling with configuration settings. It also comes with on-die ECC, which means you will never have to worry about data corruption. Whether you are a casual or hardcore PC gamer, the Kingston FURY Impact is the best laptop DDR5 RAM available today.
Want to get the most out of your PC without making a motherboard upgrade? The Corsair VENGEANCE LPX is for you. With Intel XMP 2.0 support, you easily overclock your RAM with just one click. Want to take things to the next level? With an aluminum heat spreader, you can safely push your RAM to the limit without worrying about overheating. Its low-profile design means that installation will be a breeze, no matter what motherboard you have. If you are looking to improve your gaming performance, the Corsair VENGEANCE LPX is highly recommended.
Are your favorite games not running well? Then it’s time to upgrade to the PNY XLR8. The PNY XLR8 will give your laptop a superior advantage while gaming by decreasing load times and enhancing your system responsiveness. With Intel XMP 2.0 support, overclocking will be easier than ever before. With rock-solid performance, impressive stability, and low latency, the PNY XLR8 is an excellent choice for any gamer who wants to give their gaming laptop a much-needed RAM upgrade.
