How Much Memory Do You Need for Gaming? (2024)

Table of Contents
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 Maximize 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 Gaming 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 CAMM? Upgrade Your PS5 Slim Internal Storage with Kingston FURY SSD 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 Benchmarks - Overclocking RAM For More FPS File Sizes of Triple-A Game 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 Work and Play: Why You Should Edit Photos and Videos with a Gaming PC How to RGB 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 Game 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 Other Platforms Is it better to build or buy a gaming PC? Choosing a microSD Card for Your Nintendo Switch FAQs References
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 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?

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 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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How Much Memory Do You Need for Gaming? (25)

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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 you 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 32GB RAM enough for gaming? ›

If you want ultimate gameplay, 32GB is the option to go for. With 32GB of RAM, you should be able to run today's games at the highest resolution with few drops. You should also be able to run other applications in the background, including live streaming, editing software, and your favorite internet browser.

Is 80 memory usage bad when gaming? ›

With an internet browser open with a few tabs, about 75% RAM usage is normal. When gaming, it's not uncommon to see RAM usage max out at 100%. Ideally RAM usage should be as high as possible. The amount of RAM usage depends on how much RAM your computer has.

How much is enough storage for gaming? ›

Storage recommendations based on gaming habits
Gamer typeStorage needs
Occasional gamer500GB to 1TB
Moderate gamer1TB to 2TB
Enthusiast gamer2TB to 4TB or more
Professional gamer4TB or more
Nov 21, 2023

How much memory for gaming in 2024? ›

16GB continues to be the current sweet spot for many users.

So, while heavy multitaskers and prosumers may need 32GB to avoid using much slower disk-based virtual memory, 16GB is far more affordable and sufficient for gaming and mainstream productivity tasks.

Is using 95% of RAM bad? ›

If you have 16GB, that would be unusual unless you are doing an intensive task like video editing, big data analysis, CAD, gaming, etc. Well, it is there to be used. But if you are consistently using 95% then processes that need to use more ram will be slow and less stable. So it isn't ideal.

What is a good memory card for gaming? ›

After evaluating a dozen new microSD cards, we've found that the Samsung Pro Plus and the SanDisk microSDXC Card for Nintendo Switch are the best microSD cards for the majority of phones and tablets, as well as portable gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck.

Who needs 32GB RAM? ›

32GB of RAM is the amount of memory we recommend for serious gamers, engineers, scientists, and entry-level multimedia users. This level of RAM allows for these memory-hungry programs to run smoothly, even as your computer ages. Therefore, It's not too much, it's just right.

Is 32GB overkill? ›

RAM is a computer memory used to temporarily store your computer's active use or processing data. The more RAM you have, the more data your computer can access quickly, improving its overall performance. 32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users.

Does 1TB RAM exist? ›

NEMIX RAM 1TB (8X128GB) DDR5 5600MHZ PC5-44800 4Rx4 1.1V 288-PIN ECC RDIMM Registered Server Memory KIT.

Does 32GB RAM boost FPS? ›

In conclusion, the amount of RAM in a computer does have an impact on FPS performance. Increasing the RAM from 16GB to 32GB can lead to improved FPS in certain scenarios, particularly in resource-intensive games or when multitasking with demanding applications.

How to free up RAM? ›

Here are a few steps you'll want to try before you take drastic measures to free up RAM.
  1. Restart your device. ...
  2. Try other browsers. ...
  3. Clear RAM cache. ...
  4. Update software to the latest versions. ...
  5. Delete unused extensions. ...
  6. Use optimization software.

Does more memory improve gaming? ›

For gamers, RAM ensures fast data access, crucial for Gaming smoothness. Using SSDs or HDDs for data swapping leads to slower loading, stuttering, and FPS (Frames Per Second) drops. FPS, the rate at which images are displayed, affects game fluidity.

Can too much RAM cause lag? ›

If you are experiencing issues like lag, freezing, or crashes, you may be over-allocating RAM.

Is 16GB enough RAM for gaming? ›

16GB of RAM is the amount of memory we recommend for intermediate users looking for extra speed and smooth functioning. This may be especially beneficial if you tend to have several programs open and running, simultaneously. This is also a good level of RAM for casual gamers and standard business professionals.

Do you need 32 GB of RAM in 2024? ›

With the increasing complexity of games and the demand for higher resolutions and frame rates, the recommended amount of RAM for gaming PCs has also increased. While 8GB of RAM was once considered sufficient for gaming, it's now more common for gaming PCs to come equipped with 16GB or even 32GB of RAM.

Is 24 GB RAM good for a gaming PC? ›

Dro said 24GB is absolutely necessary if you're targeting super hi-res with maxed graphics, but 1440p only needs about 16GB to max graphics in most games. 1080p only needs ~10-12ish. Different VRAM amounts for different use cases. Once again it comes down to knowing how you're going to be using your system.

Is it worth upgrading from 16GB to 32GB RAM for gaming? ›

Thanks to more RAM, you can bid farewell to those lengthy load screens! Smoother Gameplay: With 32GB of RAM, your games can access more memory for storing game world data. It will also help in reducing lagging and delivering a smoother gaming experience!

References

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