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How Much RAM Do I Need for Gaming? – Overview
Most gaming enthusiasts wonder about such stuff to play the trending games smoothly. RAM has a significant impact on the quality of settings, graphics, OS, system memory, and speed when playing games.
The gaming configurations have constantly changed in recent years, thanks to the ever-increasing demand for heavy games.
Gone are the days when 4GB RAM was enough to play your favorite games. Now, a minimum of 8GB RAM is preferred to play any modern game without trouble.
Plus, most heavy gaming titles require at least 16GB of RAM for better configuration. Anything beyond 16GB (32GB or more) falls under the overkill category.
How Much RAM Should You Stuff in Your Gaming Laptop or Desktop?
Desktops are generally faster than laptops because of their available physical space for graphic cards. Usually, the graphic cards are less powerful than the desktop version for laptops.
This might not affect the requirement of RAM for a laptop or desktop. Most modern games necessitate higher RAM to run smoothly. Therefore, to gain maximum performance, 16GB RAM would be the sweet spot.
Motherboard, CPU, GPU, and storage also play a significant role in increasing the clock speed in laptops or desktops.
If both laptops or desktops have the same configuration, then the desktop would produce a better performance. But that doesn’t signify that lesser RAM would work perfectly.
The minimum RAM requirement for gaming a rig is now 8GB or more; the 4GB RAM is now inoperative. Installing at least 8GB of RAM is necessary to let the games work efficiently on any PC. Besides, many games now ask for a minimum of 16GB or more RAM as well.
Importance of RAM in Gaming PCs
RAM holds the maximum value when it comes to gaming PCs. When playing a game, the data files, graphics, and all other processing files are stored in the RAM for a smooth gaming experience.
But, today, most games come with one-of-a-kind configurations, so one needs to choose the RAM as per the system requirement. That is why picking higher RAM is suggested to fit all the gaming configurations perfectly.
Picking an ideal RAM capacity, type, speed, and configuration is obligatory to avoid technical interruptions when playing on a gaming rig.
A 16GB RAM would be an excellent decision to avoid such hitches. It’s better to move to a 64-bit OS, as the RAM capacity on a 32-bit OS is limited to 4 GB only.
Understanding the Universal RAM Capacity- Choose the Best for Gaming
Getting familiar with the widespread RAM capacities would make it easier to make the right choice. After the 4GB RAM is out of order, most gaming rigs entail at least 8GB, while many games still ask for 16GB, 32GB, or higher RAM amount to operate faultlessly.
Today’s high-end PCs and games do not work smoothly on 4GB RAM, thus making 8GB memory an absolute must.
Here, let’s discuss the standard RAM capacities:
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4GB RAM
For an uninterrupted gaming experience, 4GB of RAM is no longer sufficient for modern games. Today’s games are designed to work with high-end graphics cards and require better system configurations. With 4GB of RAM, you may encounter constant lags when running multiple programs and applications simultaneously. To play demanding games without interruption, it’s recommended to upgrade to at least 8GB of RAM.
The only computers that still have 4GB of RAM are the standard office computers, which cannot be considered gaming rigs. These office computers typically run on a 32-bit operating system.
Note: Upgrading RAM capacity in 32-bit Windows systems is impractical, as these operating systems do not support higher RAM configurations.
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8GB RAM
When searching for the minimum RAM requirement for a gaming computer, 8GB of RAM is likely the best choice.
With a better CPU, GPU configuration, increased capacity, and 8GB RAM, games should run without any issues.
While 8GB of RAM is the minimum requirement for most games, many modern demanding games require better graphics and a more advanced operating system for efficient performance. Therefore, it’s essential to identify the specific requirements for individual games before installation.
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16GB RAM
Looking for the best RAM capacity for all the latest games? Undoubtedly, 16GB of RAM is the safest choice.
For most of the current and upcoming games, 16GB of RAM runs without any hiccups. No modern game should exhaust your RAM unless you have memory-intensive programs running simultaneously.
Experts recommend using such a substantial RAM capacity to run 4K games smoothly.
Note: When using 64-bit Windows systems, upgrading RAM capacity is possible and more straightforward.
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32GB RAM
Only professional gamers or those willing to invest more typically install 32GB of RAM. In technical terms, it is often referred to as “overkill.” Such a substantial amount of RAM allows you to play any game without interruptions.
However, not many games require such a heavy RAM capacity, and they don’t pose operational challenges. Investing in such high RAM capacity may not be a good idea if you plan to upgrade other components, such as the CPU, graphics cards, etc., as your current motherboard may not support these new components.
Note: Some gamers opt for 32GB of RAM capacity to prepare for future games that are on the horizon. A RAM capacity of 32GB, 64GB, or more is only necessary for those who run memory-intensive programs even while gaming.
How do I know for sure if I need 32GB of RAM?
You don’t. There are hundreds of applications and games that require different sets of RAM.
If the performance of your computer depends on the game you are playing or the application you are using, then your average PC usage demands a memory upgrade.
Is 32GB RAM overkill?
In general, yes! 32GB RAM capacity falls under the overkill category. That’s just because most games today don’t require much higher memory capacity. For those who play modern gaming titles and wish for solid gaming systems, a 32GB RAM rig is probably the sweet spot.
32GB of RAM for Gaming. Is it Worthwhile?
It depends. Unless you run multiple memory-heavy programs and super-heavy games, 32GB of RAM is more than enough. Even 16GB RAM with a better graphic card and OS is an adequate amount for gaming PCs. Also, considering the innovations in the evergreen gaming industry, the main reason many gaming enthusiasts use 32GB or higher RAM is for future-proofing.
So, How to Choose which 32GB Gaming RAM to Buy?
RAM quality matters significantly, just as the quantity you are looking for. That is why choosing only renowned and trusted brands would be the best choice.
Here are the 5 best 32 GB of RAM to help you decide
| RAM | Kit Capacity | System RAM Type | Memory Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO | 32 GB Kit (2x16GB) | DDR4 SDRAM | 3200 MHz |
| G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series | 32 GB Kit (2x16GB) | DDR4 SDRAM | 3200 MHz |
| Crucial 32GB Kit | 32 GB Kit (2x16GB) | DDR4 SDRAM | 2666 MHz |
| Corsair Vengeance LPX | 32 GB Kit (2x16GB) | DDR4 SDRAM | 2400 MHz |
| Patriot Viper Elite Series | 32 GB Kit (2x16GB) | DDR4 SDRAM | 2666 MHz |
How to check memory usage on Windows?
Make sure you keep your regular applications up and running (so that you can have an idea of your accurate memory usage)
Step 1.
Hold ctrl + alt and delete and then click on “task manager”. Alternatively, you can right-click on the taskbar and then click on “task manager”
task manager
Step 2.
Click on the “Performance” tab
performance
Step 3.
Click on “Memory”
Memory
Step 4.
Look at your memory usage out of what you have available
Is 32GB RAM good for Gaming – in-use
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