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 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 DDR5 Memory Standard: An introduction to the next generation of DRAM module technology 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 a good memory usage for gaming? ›

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.

Is 32 GB RAM overkill for gaming? ›

When it comes to gaming, 16GB has been the optimal amount of RAM to have for a long time. This was because most games not only had this as the capacity for the recommended game settings, but for the optimal performance too. Games rarely demanded anything more.

What is the average memory size for a game? ›

The average game file size in 2016 stood at approximately 264 megabytes, and has increased by 76 percent over the last five years to nearly 465 MB in 2020. Last year saw a particularly significant yearly rise, growing by 30.3 percent year-over-year.

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 memory good for gaming? ›

Games doesn't requires more than 16gb of ram. But if you are multi playing different games simultaneously then the scene changes. 64gb of ram is or maybe required for audio and video editing.

How to boost RAM for gaming? ›

5 Use a RAM optimizer

Look for a memory monitor to see how much RAM is being used and how much is free, a memory cleaner to remove unnecessary or temporary files and processes, a memory defragmenter to reduce fragmentation of RAM data, and a memory booster to optimize RAM settings.

How many GB of memory is good? ›

16GB of RAM should work perfectly for most day-to-day tasks. Basic tasks such as web browsing and word processing, 4GB should suffice. If the task you are doing is more intense, you will need more RAM. 8 GB and up for more advanced activities like photo editing or streaming video.

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 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.

What is overkill in PC? ›

The PC market offers a range of components, from entry-level to high-end, catering to various user requirements. Overkill occurs when users opt for components that surpass their specific needs, resulting in wasted resources and money.

How much SSD do I need for gaming? ›

How much SSD storage do I need for gaming? With games' installation size taking up more storage than ever, we recommend getting an SSD with a storage capacity of at least 500GB. Of course, this is budget-dependent, but by choosing more capacity, you'll be less likely to need to upgrade in the future.

How much RAM does Fortnite need? ›

Fortnite Recommended System Requirements

Recommended requirements for Fortnite include: Processor - Core i5 2.8GHz processor. RAM - 8GB RAM. GPU - NVIDIA GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 or a video card with a dedicated memory of 2GB or high VRAM.

Is 64 gigs of RAM overkill? ›

For a PC running DDR5 memory, is 64GB considered excessive? PCs with DDR5 memory are cutting-edge, and 64GB may be excessive unless used for memory-intensive tasks. The faster DDR5 makes better use of RAM, but it still depends on user needs.

Do I need 16 or 32 GB of RAM? ›

16GB: Excellent for Windows and MacOS systems and also good for gaming, especially if it is fast RAM, though some games still need more. 32GB: This is the sweet spot for professionals and high-end gamers. It's enough to play any game, but pricing is still affordable.

Is 16 gigs of memory good for gaming? ›

For most gamers and most games today, 16GB is plenty of RAM for smooth performance. Most of today's AAA titles will run just fine on 16GB RAM (although not always at fully maxed-out settings).

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