How much memory do you need for gaming? (2024)

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How does RAM work? How much RAM do you need for gaming? Related Videos Installing IO plate, motherboard, GPU, cables, SSD Installing CPU, RAM, cooling How to install an NVMe M.2 SSD in a PlayStation® 5 Buy or build a gaming PC? Kingston FURY Renegade PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD Kingston FURY CTRL Software Demo Cloud gaming tips to maximise your experience How to choose overclock memory Console Storage Upgrade The Basics of Overclocking How to install Windows 11 today? Do I need more RAM or faster RAM? Memory vs storage in gaming Tips to Building Your First PC for Beginners Boost mobile gaming performance on your iPhone and Android device Build a mini-ITX PC Hardware Upgrades to Speed Up Computer Tips for keeping a quieter PC How to choose an RGB PC lighting system Tips for liquid cooling systems for PCs Common mistakes to avoid Build a PC for live streaming gameplay Kingston Product Finder Kingston FURY Related Articles How to Choose the Best RAM for Overclocking MT/s vs MHz: A better measure for memory speed Choosing the right components for overclocking How to build your own PC DDR5 Memory Standard: An introduction to the next generation of DRAM module technology What is a RAM disk? Why you should upgrade your PS5 with internal and external SSDs The ultimate RAM guide for gamers Overclocking RAM for more FPS File sizes of triple-A games External storage for Xbox What is Microsoft DirectStorage and how does it improve PC gaming? Mineral oil cooling in PC builds How to keep your PlayStation 5 cool How to get into PC gaming: A guide for console players PC or console? What’s your preference? Top 6 reasons to upgrade to an NVMe SSD PlayStation 5 and heatsink SSDs explained Installing an M.2 SSD in a PlayStation®5 How to upgrade your laptop with RAM How to choose the right gaming laptop How to upgrade your PC with RAM What to do AFTER building your PC How to RGB Work and Play: Why You Should Edit Photos and Videos with a Gaming PC Air cooling Vs. liquid cooling in PC builds What do SSDs do for gaming? How to make your gaming PC quieter What are the advantages and disadvantages of Cloud gaming? Additional storage for your Valve Steam Deck Top 10 PC build mistakes beginners make Understanding video games age ratings The difference between memory and storage in gaming Gaming with Windows 11: What to expect with the new PC performance features How to clean your PC system Is it time to upgrade your PC build? Streaming 101 - How to Go Live on Twitch, Facebook Live, YouTube and others Platforms Is it better to build or buy a gaming PC? Choosing a microSD card for your Nintendo Switch FAQs
How much memory do you need for gaming? (1)

Gaming memory, also referred to as RAM (Random Access Memory), is essential for PC gamers who want to make their gaming experience as fast and smooth as possible. During gameplay, if your PC glitches and response times are slow, you may need to add more memory. Having more than enough memory for the titles that you want to play is recommended for any gamer who wants to improve their gaming experience. RAM will boost your system’s responsiveness and improve frame rates. The exact amount of memory that you will need for gaming will be determined by the type of games you want to play and if you need to use any other applications at the same time. However, it is important to note that memory is not the only component to consider for improving the overall gaming experience. Your operating system, SSD, processor, and graphics card will also have an impact on gameplay.

How does RAM work?

How much memory do you need for gaming? (2)

RAM is the computer’s short-term, fast-access storage that temporarily holds information between your processor and SSD/HDD. SSDs and HDDs are considered long-term memory, where information is stored more permanently. When you launch a game on a PC, all the relevant data that your PC might need to access during the game is loaded into RAM. Constantly pulling information from the SSD or HDD can be inefficient and slow. Having enough RAM reduces the constant back and forth data swaps that happen with storage, making games and applications respond faster.

How much RAM do you need for gaming?

The amount of RAM that you need for gaming really depends on the games that you want to play as RAM requirements differ for each game title and format. For specific games, it’s important to check the game developers’ minimum system requirements.

However, meeting the minimum requirements won’t guarantee the smoothest gaming experience. Your new game may still suffer lagging frame rates or overall poor performance. Game developers usually have RAM capacity listed for "recommended requirements” and some may even list “high” or “ultra high” capacities. When considering how much RAM to install it’s also recommended to plan for tomorrow’s needs, particularly when you consider future titles may ratchet up their RAM requirements.

Lastly, it’s important to check your specific computer’s upgrade options. Most PCs and laptops use RAM installed in identical pairs, and feature either two or four memory sockets. So you’ll want to choose the optimal parts as a set or kit to get the best performance from the memory.

How much memory you need for gaming does not only depend on what games you want to play, but also how many other applications you have open in the background. While some people might be able to use 8GB to play a few older games, 16GB will definitely improve your gaming experience if you like to play more modern games. But what about running tasks in the background, like Chrome or Discord? For that, you may need 32GB. 32GB of RAM may sound like a lot, but having a surplus of available capacity can make a huge difference in performance and proves why so many gaming enthusiasts spend more money to add 32GB, 48GB, or even 64GB to their systems. The latest game releases are already starting to recommend a minimum 16GB of RAM. So, if you use your PC for more than just gaming or want to future-proof for upcoming releases, 32GB could be the right option for you.

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How much memory do you need for gaming? (2024)

FAQs

How much memory do you need for gaming? ›

8GB RAM is the bare minimum for any kind of gaming. 16GB offers solid performance in most games and is what most PC gamers use now. 32GB RAM is the standard for high-performance PCs and will likely become the future baseline.

How much memory do I need for gaming? ›

So, if you want enough overhead to keep playing new releases in the future, 16GB of RAM is recommended. If you plan to do more than just gaming, consider 32GB.

What is enough memory for gaming? ›

The latest game releases are already starting to recommend a minimum 16GB of RAM. So, if you use your PC for more than just gaming or want to future-proof for upcoming releases, 32GB could be the right option for you.

Is 32 GB of RAM overkill? ›

Is 32GB of RAM overkill? This isn't a straightforward question, as it depends on what you're using your PC for. If all you're doing is browsing the internet, then 16GB is fine, and any more is probably overkill. It's when you start doing more demanding tasks that extra memory makes a difference.

Is 7 GB of RAM good? ›

Generally, we recommend 8GB of RAM for casual computer usage and internet browsing, 16GB for spreadsheets and other office programs, and at least 32GB for gamers and multimedia creators.

Is 16GB RAM enough for Fortnite? ›

Video Memory: 8 GB VRAM or higher. Processor: Intel Core i7-8700, AMD Ryzen 7 3700x or equivalent. Memory: 16 GB RAM or higher.

Is 64 GB of RAM overkill? ›

64gb is 2x overkill. Yes, I would not go higher then 32 GB to be on the safe side with future releases, just very little point in 64 GB for gaming currently. So if that system is going to last you a while may as well go for 32 if able. 16gb is plenty.

What memory speed is best for gaming? ›

For DDR4, speeds of 3200MHz to 3600MHz are often seen as a sweet spot for Gaming, providing a balance of performance and cost. With DDR5, speeds start higher, and opting for 5200MHz or above can offer improved performance, particularly in systems with the latest CPUs and GPUs.

How many GB is good for memory? ›

For more intensive activities like 3D gaming or video rendering, 32 GB (or higher) is recommended to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, many modern laptops come with larger amounts of RAM - up to 64GB in some cases - which can provide improved user experience.

What is the minimum requirement for a gaming PC? ›

For a gaming computer, a minimum of 8GB RAM is sufficient. The RAM is like a notepad for your processor to quickly see important information. If you want to stream games, 16 or 32GB is a requirement. If you want to prepare for the future, you want to have at least 16GB RAM or more.

Is 1 GB RAM overkill? ›

1GB is barely enough for basic functionality like web browsing, word processing, and checking your email, but you can't expect it to run well. Also with only 1GB of RAM, you can forget about photo and video editing. 1GB isn't even passable for a consumer PC.

How much RAM do I need for gaming in 2024? ›

For most gamers 16GB of RAM is still the sweet spot in 2024. This amount provides enough headroom for the operating system, background processes, and the game itself to run smoothly without any bottlenecks.

Who needs 32GB RAM? ›

Chrome's RAM starvation may surprise many users. But even a modern browser uses a lot of RAM if you open many tabs at the same time. You should therefore definitely give your computer 32GB of RAM if you frequently play games with medium to high graphics requirements.

Is too much RAM bad? ›

Having too much RAM won't necessarily hurt your computer. But it is generally considered to be a bad purchasing decision, because having much more RAM than you actually use won't speed up your computer. Having too much RAM is more of a waste of money, because the excess RAM isn't being used.

Is 70 RAM usage ok? ›

A 70% memory usage at idle is relatively high and may indicate that there are background processes or applications consuming a significant portion of your computer's RAM. While some memory usage at idle is normal due to essential system processes, 70% is on the higher side for an idle state.

How much RAM does a PS5 have? ›

The PlayStation 5 has 16GB of GDDR6 RAM that's shared between logical and graphical memory. The PS5 is also a system, not a single chip that we can compare with another.

Do you really need 32GB of RAM for gaming? ›

Chrome's RAM starvation may surprise many users. But even a modern browser uses a lot of RAM if you open many tabs at the same time. You should therefore definitely give your computer 32GB of RAM if you frequently play games with medium to high graphics requirements.

Is 8GB of RAM good for gaming? ›

If you have 8GB of memory in your PC, that's a good starting point for most casual gamers. With 8GB, you'll be able to play most games without any problems, but you may not get to play them at their highest quality, or you might have to shut down other applications running in the background.

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