How Much RAM Do You Actually Need for Gaming? 16GB or 32GB

How much RAM do I need for PC gaming? It’s the most common question people ask me when building a gaming PC. A quick answer to this question would be: “You should have at least 16GB of RAM to play most games, however, 32GB of RAM would allow higher FPS performance, especially in higher-end AAA or eSports games”. It’s not the RAM capacity alone that affects your gaming performance. By the end of this article, you will learn about factors like RAM Type, Speed, and CAS Latency play a crucial role in boosting your PC’s gaming performance.

Understanding The Role of RAM in PC Gaming

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is your computer’s short-term memory. It holds information your computer is actively using. When gaming, RAM holds data related to game assets, textures, and in-game calculations, ensuring that the CPU and GPU aren’t bottlenecked (not waiting long enough for each other to respond).

More RAM means your PC can quickly load the game worlds, render more complex textures, and multitask.

In PC gaming, RAM isn’t the sole factor in performance, but insufficient RAM can lead to frequent stuttering, crashes, and long loading times. Therefore, finding the right balance between your GPU, CPU, and RAM is important to get the best gaming experience possible.

Minimum RAM Requirements for Gaming

According to Kingston.com & Crucial.com, most games recommend 16GB of RAM for smoother gameplay. Video game developers have started recommending 16GB as the minimum RAM requirement for modern games.

The minimum amount of RAM you need for gaming depends upon what type of games you’ll be playing and at what resolution.

Many older or less demanding games run smoothly even if you have 8GB of RAM. 8GB of RAM is sufficient for casual gamers who don’t play high-end AAA games or do heavy multitasking.

Here are 10 popular games optimized to run smoothly with 8GB of RAM:

1. Fortnite
2. Minecraft
3. League of Legends
4. Overwatch
5. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO)
6. Among Us
7. The Sims 4
8. Apex Legends
9. Rocket League
10. Dota 2

Recommended RAM for Optimal Gaming Experience

According to the PC Gamer blog, 16GB of RAM is the current sweet spot for gaming. 16GB of RAM is enough for most modern games, including AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Call of Duty: Warzone.

With 16GB, you can multitask more effectively, such as streaming and gaming at the same time without slowing down your PC.

If you are too heavy on gaming, streaming, and multitasking, 32GB of RAM is the ideal amount to go for. This is beneficial for more demanding tasks like 4K gaming, virtual reality (VR) gaming, or working with resource-heavy software while gaming.

Games with large open worlds and high-resolution textures, such as Red Dead Redemption 2 or Microsoft Flight Simulator, perform better with 16GB or higher amount of RAM.

Here are 10 popular games that run smoothly with 16GB of RAM:

1. Cyberpunk 2077
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
3. Call of Duty: Warzone
4. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
5. Battlefield 2042
6. Microsoft Flight Simulator
7. Far Cry 6
8. Horizon Zero Dawn
9. Shadow of the Tomb Raider
10. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (with high settings or mods)

Factors Affecting Your RAM Performance

Your RAM needs vary based on the type of games you play and how you use your system. Game requirements are the primary factor. More RAM is necessary for open-world, multiplayer, and graphically intensive games.

Multitasking while gaming also increases RAM usage. For example, if you plan to run streaming software, Discord, or a web browser while gaming, 16GB or higher amount of RAM is recommended.

Lastly, future-proofing your setup is important. As game developers push the boundaries of realism, future titles will likely require more RAM to run optimally. If you’re building a PC that you want to last for several years, investing in 32GB of RAM could save you from needing upgrades.

When it boils down to RAM for gaming, there are three factors to look at:

1: RAM Size or Capacity

RAM capacity or size refers to the total amount of memory/data (measured in gigabytes, or GB) that a computer’s RAM can store at any given time. The size or capacity of a RAM determines how much data the system can hold and access quickly.

• 8GB of RAM can handle basic multitasking and moderate gaming.
• 16GB of RAM is ideal for most modern AAA/eSports gaming, streaming, and multitasking.
• 32GB of RAM is plenty if you are into heavy multitasking and high-end gaming. Moreover, having 32GB of RAM would make your gaming PC future-proof.

2: RAM Speed & CAS Latency

RAM Speed (MHz) and CAS latency contribute to your overall gaming performance. A fast RAM allows quicker data retrieval, offering a slight boost in frame rates.

CAS latency refers to how long it takes for the RAM to communicate with the CPU. Lower CAS latency means faster data retrieval from RAM, which can slightly improve gaming performance.

For instance, RAM with a CL of 16 will generally perform better than one with CL18 when paired with the same frequency.

Here is a list of common CAS latency values found on RAM, ranked from fastest to slowest:

1. CL14
2. CL15
3. CL16
4. CL17
5. CL18
6. CL19
7. CL20
8. CL22

For most gamers, 3000MHz to 3600MHz RAM with reasonable latency (e.g., CL16) offers the right balance between cost and performance.

Here’s the Catch! If you go with higher RAM speed, the lower CAS latency will have minimal or no impact on your gaming performance. Confused? It’s because the higher RAM frequency compensates for the higher CAS latency. GPU-dependent games (e.g., AAA games) benefit more from higher RAM speed than lower CAS latency.

2: RAM Type

RAM modules come in different types namely DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5, etc. Installing the latest RAM type would result in better gaming performance. At the time of writing this guide, most gaming PCs on the market come with either DDR4 or DDR5 RAM type.

The decision between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM depends on your budget and future-proofing goals.

DDR4 is the current standard and offers reliable performance at an affordable price. It’s compatible with most current gaming motherboards, making it a solid choice for mid-range and budget builds.

DDR5, while newer and faster, is still relatively expensive and supported by fewer motherboards. For gamers looking to future-proof their builds, DDR5 may offer long-term benefits, but for now, the performance difference in gaming is minimal. As PC games become more demanding, DDR5 will likely become the norm.

How to Upgrade RAM in Your Gaming PC

Upgrading RAM is one of the easiest hardware upgrades you can make to your gaming PC. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Check compatibility: The first step is to know if the RAM module you intend to install is compatible with your motherboard. You can do this by visiting your motherboard manufacturer’s website. Once you have found the type of RAM compatible with your motherboard (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5, etc), it’s time to install it.
2. Turn off your PC: Always unplug your PC before performing any hardware changes or upgrades.
3. Open the case: Access the RAM slots by removing the side panel of your PC case.
4. Install the new RAM: Align the RAM stick with the slot, and press down until it clicks into place. Ensure the clips on both sides lock-in.

1. Boot the PC: Turn on your PC and check if the system recognizes the new RAM in BIOS or Windows Task Manager.

Common RAM Myths in PC Gaming

Several myths revolve around RAM in the PC gaming community. Some of the most common myths are mentioned below:

1: More RAM always equals better performance: While having sufficient RAM is crucial, having more than your system can use won’t boost performance. For example, going beyond 32GB of RAM is overkill for gaming.

2: Faster RAM always improves gaming performance: In reality, the impact of RAM speed on gaming is marginal. The performance difference between 3000MHz and 3600MHz is minor, and it’s often better to prioritize RAM capacity over speed unless you’re running a high-end system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the amount of RAM you need for gaming depends on the types of games you intend to play and how you use your system.

8GB is suitable for casual or entry-level gaming, while 16GB is ideal for most gamers looking to run modern AAA titles and multitask. If you are too heavy on gaming, streaming, and multitasking, then 32GB is the right choice.

FAQs

Can you mix different RAM sizes?

Yes, but it’s not ideal. Mixing different sizes or speeds can cause instability or limit performance to the slower RAM.

Is faster RAM always better for gaming?

Not necessarily. Faster RAM can provide a small boost in fps, but it’s more important to have enough RAM capacity to boost gaming performance.

How often should you upgrade your RAM?

If the games are running smoothly on your PC, then there’s no need to upgrade the RAM. You should only upgrade your RAM if the games or software you install require more RAM than the one you have on your system.

Editor’s Recommendation:

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Mosaab Jamal Ahmed

Mosaab Jamal Ahmed is a seasoned technology enthusiast with a passion for gaming and PC upgrades. His journey began in 1998 with a Pentium 1 PC, igniting his lifelong fascination with computer hardware.

Over the years, Mosaab has honed his skills in upgrading and optimizing PCs with the latest components, ensuring peak performance for gaming and other demanding applications.

Through his insightful articles, Mosaab shares his extensive knowledge on building and enhancing gaming PCs.