How much RAM do I need for gaming? (8 GB vs 16 GB vs 32 GB) (2024)

Why is it that if you were to play a game on the brand new PS5, you're unlikely to encounter any graphics or performance issues compared to your CPU?

Well, aside from games designed within the confines of a console, there are dedicated amounts of GB of RAM for consoles. Your computer, on the other hand, is much more open to customization.

For example, the PS5 has 16GB of GDDR6 SDRAM. Is 16 GB the standard for all games? Well, it's a little more detailed than that.

What happens when you want to play a graphically intensive game like Death Stranding or Kingdom Come Deliverance on your computer?

If you want to forget about graphics for a moment, how about running games like League of Legends or Fortnite without stuttering or lagging issues?

We'll show you everything you need to know about RAM, what to look for when buying a gaming computer, how to check your computer's memory status, and more.

An introduction to RAM

You may have heard of RAM. It stands for Random Access Memory and allows applications, games and more to store data. Not surprisingly, the more memory your computer has, the more files and programs it can run better.

That's why having larger amounts of GB RAM is crucial for things like intensive creative projects and of course games.

What does RAM do for gaming?

The more GB of RAM, the more freedom a game offers without draining memory from slower storage on the system.

A simple example of different GB of RAM was when I played the same game on different consoles. In 2015 I downloaded Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain for PS3. I was surprised that the PS3 could handle the impressive graphics.

Years later, I bought the same game on sale for Microsoft's Xbox One. The difference between the two performances was astonishing. MGSV ran fine on PS3. It was smooth, crisp and fluid on Xbox One. Why?

The PS3 had 256 MB of video memory, while the Xbox One ran on 8 GB, along with the help of the AMD "Jaguar" APU. While a higher GB of RAM doesn't necessarily mean the game will run faster, it does allow the Xbox One to run longer without having to access slower storage resources in the system.

RAM terminology

Let's take a look at some crucial components of RAM and what they mean.

Memory

Computer memory refers to the special part of the processor where things like data and programs are stored when they are in use. There are a few different types of memory. RAM is one of them.

ram

This is where the memory is located on the computer. Although there are other memory locations in the computer, this is the mainframe. The larger the RAM, the more programs and data your computer and processor can process at the same time. This is great if you're playing an intense game, balancing a lot of work projects, and more.

SSD

SSD, or solid-state drives, are crucial components of RAM and computer memory. The SSD is a secondary storage device for computers.

GB

GB stands for gigabytes. A gigabyte is essentially your measure of storage for any console, computer, or device. The higher the gigabyte number given, the more memory options you have with your hardware.

Evaluation

Let's list the three main types of RAM you can buy, what is ideal for what purpose and what you should buy for your needs.

8 GB

8 GB is considered the minimum requirement for efficient gaming on PCs. Anything under 8GB of RAM will result in slower performance speeds, lackluster graphics settings, and more. Spending the extra money for at least 8GB of RAM is worth it.

If you're not a hardcore gamer, 8GB is a significant amount of RAM for just casually surfing the web or doing some digital media work.

16 GB

16 GB of RAM is considered the sweet spot. It allows for solid gaming, intensive work with computer programs and gives you a reasonable amount of memory. If you want to be a serious gamer, 16Gb may be the ideal setup. When paired with an AMD or NVIDIA graphics card, you can have a lot of fun with 16 GB of RAM.

32 GB

At 32 GB, many consider it excessive. Many gaming consoles don't even use anything close to 32 GB, so you can imagine how much power a gaming PC needs.

If you want absolute top speed, no stuttering issues, slowdowns or other graphics or performance issues, 32 GB could be your ideal for good RAM. Add to that the longevity that 32GB of RAM can give your hardware, and you can ultimately save money by not buying or upgrading new technology.

How much RAM is good?

So you might not use a gaming PC for all your work and gaming needs. So what is the ideal amount of RAM for different devices? Let's see.

...for tablets?

Tablets aren't exactly hubs for high-powered gaming. Still, you're probably looking for a tablet that can handle a lot of activity. In that case, it is enough to choose a tablet with almost any amount of GB of RAM.

If you only play crosswords and view ebooks on a tablet, GB of RAM probably doesn't need to exceed 4 GB of RAM. But if you do more intensive things like playing a game, streaming Netflix, and creating digital media, you can expand this to 8GB of RAM.

…for laptops?

The RAM of a laptop can vary. You'll often see on the Steam forums for particularly graphically demanding games people asking if their gaming laptop can run a particular game.

If gaming isn't the most important thing in a potential laptop purchase, it's a good idea to go for something like 4GB. But if you want to play seriously, go for something with 8GB and an AMD or NVIDIA GPU.

With that combination you should be able to achieve a lot of what desktop CPUs can do.

…for desktop computers?

Desktop gaming PCs should have at least 8 GB. If they have anything less, game performance suffers significantly as the computer drags itself out when saving and retrieving data while the game is running.

How much RAM do I need?

Frequent user

For a frequent computer user, you probably don't need to go overboard and use more than 4 GB of RAM. If you're using your computer to perform important functions and maybe messing around in Photoshop or web pages, you won't need a lot of space or even an SSD to boot.

Gamer

Gamers need a little more kick for their GPU, CPU and RAM. Gaming PCs often require at least 8 GB of RAM. Very rarely do gaming builds require more than 8GB or 16GB, so either choice is reliable.

However, for most gamers, 8GB should be the minimum. If you're lower down, you're bound to encounter your fair share of issues and problems.

Professional user

If you're basically married to your gaming PC, you might even want to upgrade to 32GB. Investing in a 32GB storage device is often considered overkill, but there are a few benefits.

First, you can do just about anything without breaking a sweat. Your computer has enough space at the proverbial table to function properly. Another advantage of 32 GB hardware is that your computer is ready for the future. You won't need to upgrade your RAM or hardware for a while.

So if you're looking to invest for the long term, 32GB might be more your style.

How to check how much RAM you have

Okay, so how do you check how much RAM you have on your computer? For Microsoft Windows users, type 'about' into the Start menu. You will see 'About your PC' appear. Under Device Specifications you will see 'Installed RAM'. Here you can see how much RAM you have.

For Mac users, it's even more accessible. Click the Apple icon in the top left corner and select the "About This Mac" option. There you will find all the different specifications of your computer.

5 Excellent Gaming RAM Options

Here are our favorite RAM options. While we think these are the best on the market today, you may find something that works specifically for you as you browse our selection.

Conclusion

Hopefully you have a better idea of what RAM is and how much you need for both casual and hardcore gaming. As with most technology-related things, there seems to be a lot to know and remember. But remember a few important things about RAM to help you decide which type you need.

4GB

Good for things like tablets and maybe phones, but not for gaming platforms. The biggest problem with 4GB is that it simply doesn't have the capabilities of the higher gigabytes. It might be able to run some games, but there will be issues with the hack and other issues.

8 GB RAM

The standard benchmark for PC gaming today. Gaming PCs and gaming laptops require at least 8 GB of RAM to successfully run graphically demanding games.

16 GB RAM

A reduction of more than 8 GB. This is a good sweet spot where you can get your computer running reliably with almost any program, game or medium without any problems.

32 GB RAM

Absolutely dominant, future-proofing your CPU and ensuring you don't have to replace RAM or even your gaming PC.

All in all, the choice is yours. Remember what suits you best: Are you a regular PC user who only plays games like Cities: Skylines? Or are you a multiplayer FPS fanatic looking for the fastest way to score a headshot in a heated online battle?

The primary choice should be between 8 GB and 16 GB of RAM. Either way, there are tons of options from different companies and computers.