Meanwhile, system RAM is identified by its generation, with DDR4 and DDR5 being the most common in the latest generations of computers. GDDR7 memory is coming down the pipe, though. Most current-generation graphics cards use either GDDR6 or GDDR6X. High-end 3D games rely on video RAM, or VRAM, to temporarily store image data, like textures. System RAM shouldn’t be confused with the dedicated memory used by discrete graphic cards. But that’s a bit like buying a house with four bedrooms and only using two of them. You can buy more RAM, and it won’t negatively impact performance. It’s effectively wasted money.īecause of that, it’s important to choose a capacity that slightly exceeds your needs without going overboard. If, for example, you’re only using 12GB of RAM under the most demanding circumstances and you have a 16GB kit, upgrading to a 32GB kit (assuming all other aspects are equal) won’t impact your performance whatsoever. You can still launch them, but if you run out of RAM, the application won’t have access to the ultra-fast storage RAM provides to quickly access the data it needs. That adds up over time, and if you don’t have enough RAM to go around, the applications you’re using will severely slow down. When you boot a game, many of its elements are loaded into memory so they’re readily accessible.ĭifferent programs require different amounts of RAM, but regardless of the application, it’s likely to use at least a little bit of RAM. As you open programs, it stores data that they need access to quickly in system memory. RAM is a small amount of extremely fast storage and augments the cache on your CPU to make sure it has fast access to as much information as possible - much faster than if it had to grab that data from your SSD or hard drive. RAM explained Image used with permission by copyright holder Buy what you actually need, and spend the remaining budget on more important components like the CPU or graphics card. Remember, buying more RAM than you need doesn’t net you any performance benefit - it’s effectively wasted money. Engineers, professional A/V editors, and similar types need to start here and go higher if needed. 64GB and more: For enthusiasts and purpose-built workstations only.48GB: Using non-binary memory kits can save you some money if 32GB of RAM just won’t do, and 64GB is unneeded.It’s enough to play any game, but pricing is still affordable. 32GB: This is the sweet spot for professionals and high-end gamers.16GB: Excellent for Windows and MacOS systems and also good for gaming, especially if it is fast RAM, though some games still need more.This is fine for basic Windows gaming at lower settings, but rapidly runs out of steam. 8GB: Typically installed in entry-level laptops.4GB: Low-end Chromebooks and some tablets come with 4GB of RAM, but it’s only worth considering if you’re on an extreme budget.Thunderbolt 4: everything you need to knowįor a more nuanced look at how much RAM you need, here are some of the most common quantities of RAM, and who might be best suited to that quantity. What is a thermal printer, how they work, and do you need one? You might want more, you might get away with less, but if you’re unsure how much RAM you need, 16GB is a good figure to target. It gives you plenty of memory for most modern games, enough to run plenty of web browsing tabs at the same time, and you can even run demanding apps like video editing suites. Jacob Roach / Digital Trends How much RAM do you need?įor most PC and laptop owners, 16GB of RAM is a good figure to target. If you want to know how much RAM you need for a smartphone, we have a guide for that, too. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how much RAM you need for a tablet, laptop, desktop, and gaming machine. Games that require 16GB of RAM won’t necessarily run faster if you have 32GB - although making sure background tasks have enough memory is a good way to improve performance in demanding applications. Upgrading your RAM can be easy and inexpensiveĪdding more RAM to your computer won’t make it run faster if you already have enough, though, and wastes money you could spend elsewhere on upgrading your PC.
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