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How Much Memory Do You Need for Gaming?

Oct 2023
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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 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 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?

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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 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 of data swaps that happen with storage, making games and applications respond faster.

How much RAM do you need for gaming?

The amount of RAM you need for gaming really depends on the games you want to play since 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 not only depends 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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