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

The amount of RAM you need for gaming depends heavily on the types of games you play, background processes, and performance expectations. While 16GB is the standard minimum for running most modern games smoothly, 32GB of RAM provides greater headroom, especially for high-FPS gameplay, multitasking, and demanding AAA or competitive eSports titles.

What’s the Role of RAM in Gaming PC?

RAM or Random Access Memory holds information your computer is actively using. When gaming, RAM holds data related to game assets, textures, and in-game calculations. RAM swaps data between your CPU and GPU to prevent bottlenecks or lags.

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

What’s the Minimum RAM Requirement for Gaming?

According to Kingston.com & Crucial.com, most games recommend 16GB of RAM for smoother gameplay. Video game developers have recommended 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, if you have 8GB of RAM. 8GB of RAM is sufficient for casual gamers who don’t play high-end AAA games or multitask heavily.

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

What’s the Recommended RAM Requirement for Optimal Gaming?

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. 16GB RAM is enough for multitasking and gaming without slowing down your PC.

32GB of RAM is the recommended if you are heavy on gaming, streaming, and multitasking. 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)

What Are The Factors That Affect 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, 16GB or higher amount of RAM is recommended, if you plan to run streaming software, Discord, or a web browser while gaming.

The 3 main factors that affect the RAM performance are discussed below.

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 stores at any given time. The size or capacity of a RAM determines how much data the system holds and access quickly.

• 8GB of RAM handles basic multitasking and casual gaming.
• 16GB of RAM is best for modern AAA/eSports gaming, streaming, and multitasking.
• 32GB of RAM is plenty for heavy multitasking and high-end gaming. Moreover, having 32GB of RAM makes your gaming PC future-proof.

2: RAM Speed & CAS Latency

RAM Speed (MHz) and CAS latency both contribute to its overall performance. A faster RAM allows quicker data retrieval, offering a slight boost in frame rates. Meanwhile, the CAS latency refers to to time it takes for a RAM to communicate with the CPU. Lower CAS latency means faster data retrieval from RAM, resulting in improved gaming performance.

For instance, RAM with a CL of 16 performs 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! Lower CAS latency has minimal or no impact on your gaming performance, if you go with higher RAM speed, 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.

3: RAM Type

RAM modules come in different types namely DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5, etc. Installing the latest RAM type results 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 offers long-term benefits, but for now, the performance difference in gaming is minimal. As PC games become more demanding, DDR5 becomes the norm.

How to Upgrade RAM in Your Gaming PC?

To upgrade RAM in your gaming PC, follow the steps below.

1. Check compatibility: The first step is to know whether the RAM module you intend to install is compatible with your motherboard. Visit 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 whether the system recognizes the new RAM in BIOS or Windows Task Manager.

What are the Commom Myths About RAM?

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 recommended RAM does not gurarantee to boost gaming performance. For example, installing over 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, it is better to prioritize RAM capacity over speed unless you’re running a high-end system.

How often you should upgrade RAM on a gaming PC?

Do not upgrade the RAM if the games are running smoothly on your PC. Upgrade your RAM only if the games or software you install require more RAM than the one you’ve already installed on your system.

Is it safe to mix different RAM sizes?

Yes, it is safe to use different RAM sizes on a single motherboard. However, installing two different RAM sizes (for example: 16GB and 8GB) may affect memory configuration. Normally, a large size RAM module along with the smaller one causes asynchronous operation.

Is faster RAM always better for gaming?

No, faster RAM can provide a small boost in fps, but it’s more important to have enough RAM capacity to boost gaming performance.