There are people who are freaks of gaming and others who just want to start gaming now. For that reason, they are always curious if their current computer system supports the games that they want to play or not.
The first question that arises in our mind is about how much RAM for gaming is required in 2023, and you will get your answer here. We will discuss every detail about RAM and what could be useful for you if you want to play games on your computer.
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What is RAM?
The full form of RAM is random access memory which is used to store working data and machine code. There are varieties of RAM available in the market nowadays with different brand names and memory sizes. The most common RAM sizes are 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB, commonly purchased regularly from online and offline stores.
Take an example of a game, if it is stored on a hard drive, but continuously recovering data from the HDD even when it is inefficient and slow. Hence, RAM is important since it allows your PC to access data faster, so it is able to move the data needed by the game to the RAM to speed uploading.
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Is 8GB RAM enough for gaming? Here is the short answer
8GB of RAM is the minimal amount of RAM for any gaming computer. With 8GB DDR4 modules, you will be able to play the most popular games in 2023 without any lag, but some hottest titles may not be supported by 8GB of RAM and demand 16GB of DDR4 RAM above.
You also have to avoid multitasking, like working on multiple windows and playing the game at the same time with an 8GB DDR4 RAM size. Nowadays, games like PUBG, GTA 5, Fortnite, Sims 4, Skyrim Special Edition, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft Shadowlands can be played with 8GB of RAM.
Here is a detailed answer to whether or not 8GB of DDR4 memory is enough:
PC gamers who wish to experience a realistic gaming experience require a lot of memory. A slow response time or glitches on your PC may indicate a need for more RAM. All gamers who want to benefit from faster loading times and to improve their gaming experience should have sufficient RAM for the games they intend to play.
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A RAM upgrade will make your system more responsive, allow it to load games faster, and improve frame rates. You will need a certain amount of memory for gaming, depending on the game you are playing and whether you need to use any other applications simultaneously.
Other computer components also play a role apart from RAM:
In addition to memory, several various components to consider can improve the overall gaming experience. In addition to your operating system, SSD, CPU, and graphics card.
Old days with 4GB RAM:
Looking back at the time, 4GB DDR3 memory was more than enough for the games that we played, but as the systems have become more complex, 4GB RAM does not seem to be enough in 2023. The older games may still work pretty well with this memory size, but it is recommended for newer games to upgrade to at least 8GB to play more trending games and have a better gaming experience. The games like Minecraft, League of Legends, GTA 5, DOTA 2, and Counter strike could be played with 4GB RAM still, but it’s speed and quality of gaming would be seriously compromised. So it’s better to go up and invest something in 8GB or 16GB RAM.
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Modern System Requirements:
Computer system requirements are in serious demand these days with the arrival of new games with modern graphics. You will see that it would require more RAM to run them smoothly and upgrade other computer accessories for a better user experience. When a few years pass by, mostly older technology gets cheaper and easily affordable, so you could upgrade to an older version but at least get a better RAM than your previous memory.
We have observed that modern games look to have more and more memory, and the consumers are suggested to have 16GB DDR4 modules for some trending games.
If you only have 8GB RAM, you should avoid playing high graphics games and modern games that require lots of memory. This may crash your Windows as well if you keep gaming on this limited RAM. Imagine how it will react if a game requires 16GB and you play it on 8GB.
Keep some memory free:
If we compare the windows, say Windows 10 and 11, they use memories of around 1 to 3GB for operating while being idle. For instance, if you have 8GB RAM, you will only be left with 4-6GB for gaming and using other applications. You must keep in mind to have free memory so that your PC runs smoothly and you have extra memory for your windows to run as well.
Close other APPS to save some RAM for gaming.
You also need to understand that RAM is not used only for gaming; there are other things to consider as well which play a vital role in running your PC smoothly while playing heavy games. If they are open, any other apps will have their own space consumed while operating in the background.
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Like if you see a browser taking a space of up to 3GB of your RAM, it will be because that browser would be running with 15 tabs open. Consider closing any app running in the background for a smooth experience in gaming because it can empty a lot of RAM space for you, which could be utilized while gaming and enjoying a perfect gaming experience.
What does RAM do for gaming?
It is a memory space that stores temporary data for rapid access. It can enhance the frame pacing and frame rates when you are playing games. Before choosing any RAM for your computer system for gaming, make sure you check its speed as well as capacity.
In some cases, where it would depend on how much RAM you have in your system, upgrading it to a better RAM capacity would improve your gaming experience. It also increases frames per second—giving you a smooth experience while playing different higher graphics games. As we know that games require a specific amount of memory to run perfectly, it varies from game to game how much RAM it would require to work efficiently.
When you customize your RAM to a better version and capacity, it surely increases the performance of your computer. A lag is usually caused because of a lack of memory (RAM). The memory sticks are easily replaceable in your computer. You could simply pull the old ones and replace them with new upgraded ones.
Memory is the space that your computer uses to store data and programs. Take an example of a game, if it is stored on a hard drive, but continuously recovers data from the HDD even when it is inefficient and slow. For this reason, RAM is important as it allows your PC to locate the data quicker, so that your PC will move the crucial game data it needs to the RAM for a quick loading.
Is 4GB RAM enough for gaming?
If we talk about old games or go back to the past, 4GB RAM was more than enough for gaming, but unfortunately, 4GB doesn’t seem to be enough these days with more complexities in games and more requirements. Older games may still operate pretty well with 4GB RAM, but you should at least upgrade it to 8GB for a better gaming experience and to enjoy more modern games.
Because of low range RAM memory, you may lose an ability to multitask like streaming and using multiple tabs at the same time, or playing games and keeping something for download as well. Or you could sacrifice your desire to play games on ultra-graphics. You could play the same games on this 4GB RAM.
But you may not experience the same comfort and lag free gaming experience as you would with 8GB RAM or 16GB RAM. It also depends upon high FPS and resolution. Many people around the world play games at 1080p and 60fps, and many monitors and LCDs default to this frame rate, so for this reason, 8GB DDR4 RAM is recommended.
Is 8GB RAM enough for gaming and streaming?
Most of the modern games these days require at least 8GB RAM to operate. It is enough to stream and play games at 720p and 1080p without losing sound and video quality. Although with the technological updates each and every year, 16GB of RAM looks to be an ideal for gaming and streaming purposes for now. 8GB may be enough for you for basic gameplay, which has two effects, but once you experience a 16GB memory, there’s no going back.
For the next few years, some billion people will have an 8GB RAM setup or even less, so I would say that it will be enough for you if you don’t want to upgrade. Although I would suggest, you keep persistent storage in an SSD card rather than a rotating disk. As an SSD card lasts longer.
For everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming videos online, and another daily life usage, 8GB RAM will be a minimum of what you would require as the quality of everything is improving with each passing day. Once you have an upgraded RAM, you would not have to worry about additional tabs running on your computer as it won’t disturb your performance, but with 8GB, you may have little issues like lags.
16GB or 32GB RAM for gaming in 2023?
Well, it really depends on the game you want to play and the system you are using. It entirely depends on your preference as well. Most of the games could be played on 16GB RAM, but some require more, which means you may have to upgrade to 32GB RAM.
In 2023, there are a lot of modifications available for PCs, and more RAM storage as well, so many new games won’t work even on 32GB because they require a higher configuration. However, you could play relatively old games quite comfortably with 32GB RAM as it will provide a great user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 8GB RAM enough for GTA 5?
GTA 5 could be played with 8GB RAM on an i5 system. You have to make sure there are better graphics apart from the RAM, and your graphic card should be better than the NVidia GTX 660 and have a better GPU than GTX 660. When you have all these points, you could consider playing GTA 5 with 8GB RAM, and it will be sufficient for you with all these specifications included.
One should know that 4GB RAM is a minimum requirement of memory to play GTA 5, but you should always keep in mind that it is not the only thing which is required to play this game smoothly, you must have at least 8GB of free space along with a graphic card 2GB, it could either be NVIDIA 9800 GT graphics card or the NVIDIA GTX 660 to run the game smoothly with 4GB DDR4 memory.
How Much RAM Do I Need For Gaming?
Most of the games require 16GB RAM for optimal performance and great FPS speed. When you have this much RAM on your computer, it will allow you to play different games without having any issues like lagging or slowness. When you are planning to start gaming, you must have a minimum of 8GB of RAM in mind to play your games without any turbulence.
Is 32GB of RAM overkill?
The modern people want to play new games and are willing to have strong gaming systems, for the 32GB RAM is the best choice. However, the recommended RAM is 16GB memory capacity for most of the trending games that people play.
But as you know, by improving and upgrading that to a 32GB memory would only enhance more pleasure while gaming as the graphics will be improved and the gaming experience would be much better than 16GB. With this information, we could say that 32GB falls under the category of overkill.
Is 12GB RAM enough for gaming?
To be honest, most games require only 8GB of RAM in this modern age. With this, we may think that 12GB is enough for gaming, but it’s not the case as it is an odd configuration, depending on your motherboard. Some computer systems work better with 8GB RAM than 12GB RAM. You may need to check your motherboard details to make sure that the configuration is optimal.
Final Thoughts:
I have tried to cover each aspect of RAM, and frequently asked questions like is 8GB RAM enough for gaming or not? Suppose you have any query other than the ones mentioned or have an additional question related to the questions already answered. In that case, you could simply ask us, and I’ll try my best to provide you with the best response, which will be purely on real-life experience while using the product.
I would also like to suggest to you at the end that you keep upgrading your RAM to a newer version and faster speed with time. It’s 2023, we see the internet getting faster; the live streaming quality increases every day. Games are improving their visuals and gameplay experience, and for that purpose, you may need high-end components such as a compatible RAM, video card, a high-end processor, and so on for efficient performance and ultimate experience.
A simple answer to your query would be yes, 8GB RAM is sufficient for you to run games but don’t forget to read the whole article to understand the details of why upgradation of RAM is important and why some games won’t support 8GB memory space.
Mathew Robinson
Matthew Robinson is a gaming enthusiast and computer hardware expert with over a decade of experience in the field. He has a passion for building and customizing gaming PCs, and enjoys staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in technology. As a result, he has become a trusted source of information for gamers and PC builders alike. Through his website and social media platforms, Matthew shares his expertise and insights on gaming PCs and peripherals, with the goal of helping others make informed decisions when it comes to building their own gaming setups.
FAQs
How many GB RAM is enough for gaming? ›
Get at least 16GB of RAM to play modern games, and more if you multitask.
Should I get 8 or 16 GB RAM? ›Most users need about 8 GB of RAM, but to use several apps at once, you might need 16 GB or more. If you don't have enough RAM, your computer will run slowly and apps will lag. VRAM is located on your graphics card and stores temporary graphical data from apps and games.
How many games can 8GB RAM hold? ›8gb is fine for almost every game out there right now. A noticeable and popular exception is PUBG, which has some stuttering with only 8. Buy 8 now, upgrade to 16 later.
Is 8GB RAM enough 2023? ›Programming requires a lot of RAM, and 8GB is not always enough. If you are using a Mac, then it is likely that your computer has at least 16GB of RAM. So you don't need to worry about this issue. However, if you are using a PC, you may have less RAM, and 8GB may not be enough.
Does RAM size matter for gaming? ›Most games recommend 16GB of memory for speedy, high-performance play. Having this much RAM in your computer will allow you to change what games you play, and to avoid issues with lag and stuttering. At an absolute minimum 8GB is usually a good starting point for most games.
Does adding more RAM help with gaming? ›And, the answer to that is: in some scenarios and depending on how much RAM you have, yes, adding more RAM could increase your FPS. Games require a certain amount of memory to run. The amount of memory that games require to run can vary from game to game.
Is there a big difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM for gaming? ›16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.
Do I really need more than 8GB of RAM? ›How much RAM do you need? 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.
Does adding more RAM make your computer faster? ›More RAM Means Better Speed
Adding more RAM to your computer is bound to speed it up more than any other upgrade you might make. This is because the most popular apps that run on Microsoft Windows are resource hogs. Running two or more applications simultaneously makes them compete for the digital workspace.
8GB of RAM is the minimum amount of RAM for any gaming PC. With 8GB RAM you will be able to play most released games without many problems, but some games might not play at the highest quality, and you might have to shut down other applications.
What is 8GB of RAM capable of? ›
With 8 GB of RAM, you will have enough memory to run several programs at once. You can open lots of browser tabs at once, use photo or video editing programs, stream content, and play mid-to-high-end games. Many Windows 10 and macOS computers or laptops come with 8 GB of memory installed these days.
How much RAM does Windows 11 need to run smoothly? ›Hardware requirements
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC). Memory: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater. Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space.
8gb will last you 6 years, I can browse the web and do stuff even with 3gb on a 2007 laptop. Look for dual channel 2x4 gb tho. You will be fine with 8 GB. You need more RAM if you like to have a lot of windows open at the same time.
Who needs 8GB RAM? ›Power users who want to use video editing applications or have many different apps and games to switch between should go for 8GB of RAM, since it's perfect for heavy multitasking that results in high RAM usage.
When would I need 16GB of RAM? ›In general, we recommend at least 4GB of RAM and think that most users will do well with 8GB. Choose 16GB or more if you're a power user, if you run today's most demanding games and applications, or if you simply want to make sure you're covered for any future needs.
What is the difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM? ›The difference between an 8GB ram and a 16GB ram laptop is that with 16GB, you can have more applications open simultaneously without crashing. This is because, with more memory, the computer has more space to store data currently in use.
Is more RAM overkill? ›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. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough.
Can RAM boost your FPS? ›To a certain extent, RAM does affect FPS or even improves FPS, which is more true for laptops with integrated graphics or AMD CPU. Frankly speaking, more RAM will undoubtedly help to improve FPS or game performance, but it will not be so much compared to graphics cards and CPUs.
Is too much RAM bad for gaming? ›Too much RAM will not hurt your computer. Having more RAM is always good because it means you can do more things. That being said, you don't really need more than 16 GB of RAM for gaming. 8 GB will probably work in most cases.
When should I upgrade my RAM for gaming? ›- If your computer crashes when using multiple programs or internet tabs at once. The more things you try to do on your computer, the more time it takes to perform those tasks. ...
- Need to use large applications or software. ...
- Want to increase gaming performance.
How much faster is 16GB than 8GB? ›
Application Performance
Once you have 'enough' memory for all your applications to run, having more memory won't increase performance any further. And in this case, what that means is that for regular desktop work, you'll be hard pressed to find any tangible performance difference between 8GB and 16GB of system memory.
Is 16GB RAM overkill 2022? For a gaming laptop, 16GB RAM is considered a good starting point. This amount of RAM is sufficient for most people and can run several programs at the same time. And if you are using your laptop for professional-grade applications and games, you should consider going up to 32GB RAM.
How much SSD do I need for gaming? ›Store your smaller games like Fortnite on the SSD. 500GB is the minimum, but we recommend 1TB.
Is it better to have more RAM or GB? ›More RAM will make it easier for your computer to perform multiple tasks at once, while upgrading your storage will improve battery life, make it faster to open applications and files, and give you more space for photos and applications.
Is 8GB RAM low end? ›In a word, 8GB RAM is fine for those who stick to basic productivity, or those who aren't playing modern games. But if you plan on running something memory intensive and doing another task at the same time, you could end up exceeding your limit.
How do I know if I need more RAM? ›- Files don't open immediately, or programs are slow to load. ...
- You receive a memory error message or your computer is using 80 percent or more of its memory. ...
- You are unable to run multiple programs at the same time.
Your operating system allocates space in RAM for programs as they run on your computer. Your RAM will eventually fill up, which will slow down your computer as your operating system starts using the swap file instead.
What makes a computer fast? ›Much of your computer's performance depends on its RAM, or random access memory. This allows your computer to perform multiple operations simultaneously, holding information in a kind of temporary memory. The more RAM you have, the more processes you'll be able to perform simultaneously.
What happens to a computer system when RAM becomes full? ›If RAM fills up, the computer's processor must repeatedly go to the hard disk to overlay the old data in RAM with new data. This process slows the computer's operation. A computer's hard disk can become completely full of data and unable to take any more, but RAM won't run out of memory.
Is 8GB graphics card enough for gaming? ›A few of the key cards for 1080p gaming come in 3GB/6GB and 4GB/8GB variants. Don't spend the money on any more RAM or GPU power than you need. For most 1080p play, opting for a 6GB or 8GB card should future-proof you, especially if you intend to upgrade your gaming monitor to a 1440p or 4K screen in the near future.
How many hours does 8GB last? ›
A 8GB data plan will allow you to browse the internet for around 96 hours, to stream 1,600 songs or to watch 16 hours of standard-definition video.
Can you have too much RAM? ›Adding too much RAM will eventually jeopardize the computer's performance, even when you have enough of it. The additional RAM will start applying the law of diminishing returns at a certain point, meaning you won't get much value from it.
What is the difference between 8GB and 12GB RAM? ›12GB ram means more speed and more multitasking on your device. Go for it!! You can even start by using 12GB ram then switch to 8GB ram device. Trust me, you'll feel the difference.
Will Windows 11 run smoothly on 8GB RAM? ›If you're a light user, browsing the web, emailing, and editing documents, then 4GB may suffice. But it will definitely feel laggy. Increasing this to 6 or 8GB of RAM will not only give you a much better experience, but also allow you to do more with your system.
What is the benefit of upgrading RAM from 8GB to 16gb? ›Basically, it'll let you load/run more things directly in faster RAM memory rather than using slower HDD disk caching. It won't per se make your processor itself any faster. But it'll help shuffle data around faster.
Is Windows 11 more RAM hungry? ›Yes, Windows 11 uses more RAM than earlier versions of Windows. This is because Windows 11 includes a lot of new features and programs that require more memory to run. On average, Windows 11 uses about 4 GB of RAM.
How to increase RAM from 8gb to 16GB? ›To go from 8 GB RAM to 16 GB. You will have to actually purchase COMPATIBLE 16 GB sticks of RAM then install them. Dell Inspiron might have more information on what kind of RAM is compatible with your PC.
What uses a lot of RAM? ›RAM is used to store information that needs to be used quickly. This means that opening many programs, running various processes or accessing multiple files simultaneously is likely to use a lot of RAM. Particularly complexed programs like games or design software will use most RAM.
Is 16GB RAM enough for 10 years? ›So you should be fine for the next 5 or 6 years. That being said, DDR5 ram is expected in the next year or so, so that 16GB may not last any longer than that.
Is 32GB RAM overkill for normal use? ›32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.
Is 32 GB RAM overkill for gaming? ›
If you are basically married to your gaming PC, you might even want to upgrade to 32GB. It is often considered overkill to invest in a 32GB storage unit, but there are a few benefits. First, you can pretty much-run anything with no sweat. Your computer has enough room at the proverbial table to perform well.
Is 32GB of RAM still overkill? ›Some gamers build PCs with 32GB of RAM, but most games don't need that much. Many people may think that this much RAM is too much for a gaming computer, but it is a good way to make sure that your computer is ready for the games of the future.
Do you ever need 32GB RAM for gaming? ›32GB of RAM is becoming increasingly popular amongst gamers, and the increase in FPS from 16GB is likely to be a key reason. With 32GB, you will have graphically enhanced gameplay, while still being able to do multiple things in the background, like livestreaming and using Chrome, system software, or Spotify.
Will RAM improve FPS? ›To a certain extent, RAM does affect FPS or even improves FPS, which is more true for laptops with integrated graphics or AMD CPU. Frankly speaking, more RAM will undoubtedly help to improve FPS or game performance, but it will not be so much compared to graphics cards and CPUs.
Is 64GB RAM too much for gaming? ›Is 64GB RAM Too Much For Gaming? The simple answer is yes; 64 GB is too much for gaming. Today, most AAA games require 8-12GB of RAM, and some even 16GB. So if you have 64GB of RAM, you can play almost any game out there without any issues.
Do I need 16GB of RAM or 32? ›You will be able to work or play faster and more smoothly with 32GB RAM than with 16GB RAM. 32GB RAM is expensive but 16GB RAM will come at a reasonable price. 16GB RAM will do good for gaming. On the other hand, 32GB RAM will do good for video editing.
How much RAM do I really need? ›How much RAM do you need? 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. How you use your computer influences how much RAM you need, so use this as a guideline.
Do any games need more than 16GB RAM? ›16gb is fine. It's still fine for the majority of games. Very few games will benefit from more than 16GB.
Is 1000 GB RAM overkill? ›Is 1tb RAM overkill? 1024 GB or 1 TB of RAM is definitely overkill for the vast majority of uses. There are certainly contexts where it's useful (large in-memory databases for example) but for most people it would just be a big waste of money.
Is 8GB RAM enough for next 5 years? ›Is 8GB RAM enough for future proof? 8GB RAM is enough for basic use, but 16GB is far more future-proof. And whether you use a PC or Apple laptop, if you're going to edit photos and videos, you'll want at least 16GB of RAM. Editing software uses a lot of RAM; if you only have 8GB, your computer may freeze up or crash.
What is the benefit of upgrading RAM from 8GB to 16GB? ›
Basically, it'll let you load/run more things directly in faster RAM memory rather than using slower HDD disk caching. It won't per se make your processor itself any faster. But it'll help shuffle data around faster.