Updated at: 24-03-2023 - By: Leo Hall
So, how much memory (RAM) do games really necessitate? What’s the best rate of repetition? If you need help, look no further than this straightforward guide.

Answer:

The recommended amount of memory for video games in the year 2022 is 16 GB. The job can be done with lower capacities, but performance issues will arise. More than that is unnecessary unless you plan on running professional programs that require a lot of memory.

Putting together a well-balanced gaming rig is no easy task, especially if you’re new to the whole thing and have to think about the nitty-gritty details of a build beyond the basics.

RAM is one such consideration.

It’s easy to see how this could cause some people consternation, what with the wide range of RAM requirements among games and the prevalence of widespread myths about RAM capacities.

So, in 2022, how much RAM do you really need for games? Do I need to consider anything else? Learn more about it here.

What Is RAM?

First things first: what is random access memory (RAM) and why is it important?

RAM, which stands for “random access memory,” is a type of volatile memory that serves as the “working” or “temporary” memory on your computer. It’s ridiculously fast, even when compared to the fastest available SSDs, so the CPU can access any data it needs to run a program immediately.

That being said, random access memory (RAM) is crucial in games because it stores all of the necessary game data for a seamless experience. Everyone hates it when a game starts to stutter because their computer doesn’t have enough RAM.

How Much RAM Do Games Need? 8GB vs. 16GB vs. 32GB vs. 64GB - YouTube

The Benefits of Adding RAM to PCs and Cheap Laptops

More Efficient Video Editing

In terms of global traffic, Youtube is second only to Facebook. On average, over 5 billion videos are viewed daily on Youtube. Someone must be producing all those videos. The vast majority of them are made by regular folks at home on their computers. However, if you’ve ever edited videos, you know how taxing it can be on your computer’s resources. Increasing RAM usually fixes this kind of issue.

It might not seem like much of a challenge to compile a series of 15-second smartphone videos into a 5-minute video for upload to YouTube. However, it will eat RAM at a frightening rate. That’s because even a short video shot on a modern smartphone can take up 30–40 MB. As you work on your project, the system needs to keep all the source files open and log any changes you make in between “saves,” all while the editing software itself is using up RAM. With more RAM on hand, video editing will go more smoothly and less frequently crash.

More Effective Multitasking

If you rely on your computer for your job, you know how important it is to be able to multitask. A word processor, a web browser, several research sites, and other applications could all fall into this category. People often have dozens of tabs open in their browsers, all of which could be playing videos and eating up RAM.

Increasing the amount of available RAM can free up resources and prevent slowdowns or crashes. You should know that adding more RAM won’t make your computer work any faster. To the contrary, it will keep it running smoothly in the face of large files and applications.

Enhanced Gaming

Despite the prevalence of smartphones, video gaming remains a primary motivation for many people to purchase desktop computers and portable gaming devices. Modern graphically intensive 3D games are extremely realistic and offer a truly immersive experience. Not only that, but there will be a dramatic increase in the need for processing power and memory as virtual reality games become more widely available.

With enough random access memory (RAM), even budget PCs and laptops can run modern games smoothly. Of course, you could also benefit from a new graphics card at the same time. However, even the best graphics card in the world can’t give you the buttery-smooth performance and crystal-clear visuals you’re after if you don’t have enough RAM.

Faster Browsing

Having multiple tabs open at once can have a significant impact on your computer’s performance, as we discussed earlier. Increasing the amount of RAM in your computer is one of the best ways to fix this issue. The truth is, even if you have the world’s fastest processor and Colorado’s fastest internet connection, your system will slow to a crawl and possibly crash if it doesn’t have enough RAM to handle all the data that’s coming in through that connection.

Large images, autoplaying videos, animated banner ads, animated gifs, streaming audio, and other forms of multimedia content are commonplace on modern websites. Many also employ ingenious workarounds to prevent you from blocking them in your browser. This means that even with a pop-up blocker installed, you may find that a specific website still opened a number of pop-ups. They are all on at the same time and displaying some kind of animated video. More RAM won’t make websites less sneaky, but it will keep your computer from crashing from the strain.

More Effective Printing

You will inevitably encounter printing bottlenecks if you regularly print out large files. Some may say it’s just the cost of using a low-priced laptop or computer. However, increasing the amount of RAM in your computer is often all that is needed to remedy painfully slow printing. To print larger, higher-resolution images at record speeds, you should consider upgrading your computer’s memory so that it can more efficiently buffer the print data.

What Are Common RAM Configurations?

A majority of modern desktop computers come with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM, usually in a dual-channel arrangement.

Our smallest configurations have 8 GB of memory, which was the middle of the road just yesterday. In 2022, a gaming PC with 8 GB of RAM will suffice, but you will have to make some sacrifices and will almost certainly experience some performance issues when running the more memory-intensive games.

The current gaming standard in the middle range is 16 GB. His setup is perfect for most gaming PCs because no game currently requires more than 16 GB of RAM.

On the other end of the spectrum, 32 GB is typical for enthusiast-level gaming PCs as well as general-purpose computers. This much memory is unnecessary if you plan to use the computer primarily for gaming.

RAM is not limited to 32 GB; in fact, most modern motherboards support 64 or 128 GB, and some large form factor boards can even accommodate 256 GB of RAM. Naturally, such high-capacity configurations are only truly required in workstations and servers; a regular desktop PC would benefit little from having so much RAM.

Computers with 4 GB of RAM (or even less, in some bizarre cases) are still in use, so 8 GB is also not the lowest limit. It should go without saying, however, that PCs with such low amounts of RAM are not suitable for running even the least demanding 3D games.

How Much RAM Should You Get?

How much RAM should you get, taking the aforementioned into consideration?

Overall, we think that 16 GB is the sweet spot for gaming RAM in 2022. It’s cheap and gives you plenty of RAM to play the newest games without stuttering, so you won’t have to upgrade anytime soon.

However, if you’re having trouble fitting your build into your budget, opting for 8 GB of RAM could be a good idea since you can always upgrade later. As an added bonus, if you don’t need more than 8 GB of RAM for the games you plan to play, you might as well save some cash for something more important.

As an alternative, 32 GB is an option if you have the financial means and want to future-proof your build, or if you plan to use the computer for memory-intensive tasks like programming or video editing. Otherwise, there is not much point in purchasing such powerful apparatus.

Best gaming RAM: Our top-10 picks

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TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR4 32GB 3600MHz

Perfect for the quickest RAM in your gaming computer

Amazon customers rated it 4.80/5 stars.

Price: $147.92

Since it is less expensive than many other memories of comparable speed, it is one of our favorite low-cost gaming PC RAMs. The TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta is an excellent option if you need 32 GB of RAM but don’t want to spend more than $150 on it.

Buy Team T-Force Delta RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL18 DDR4 Black  [TF3D432G3600HC18JDC01] | PC Case Gear Australia

Memory: DDR4 at 3,600MHz

Latency in CAS: 18

Dates and times: 18:22:22:42

32 GB (2 x 16 GB) storage space.

Pros:

  • An excellent deal for 32 GB of storage space
  • Gorgeous RGB lighting

Cons:

  • However, some users have noticed that it doesn’t fully illuminate.

TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 16GB Kit 3200MHz

To the best of my knowledge, ASUS motherboard owners are the intended audience.

Amazon customers rated it 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Price: $81.77

This one has been tested and approved by ASUS to work with their motherboards for optimal performance. However, you are not limited to using this RAM with an ASUS PC; feel free to experiment with it on other machines if you so choose. The sleek appearance will appeal to fans of non-RGB color spaces. So, why not give it a shot if you want the best RAM for a gaming PC?

DDR4-3,200MHz is the clock speed.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode Latency (CAS): 16

To wit: 16-16-16-38

16 GB total storage space, split between two 8 GB modules.

Pros:

  • Available in three different hues, but the red and yellow camouflage versions are our favorites.
  • Performs flawlessly on systems with ASUS motherboards.

Cons:

  • Users have complained that it is slower than advertised.

Corsair Vengeance RGB RS 64GB DDR4-3,200

Superior for: top-tier gaming gear

An average of 4.8 stars out of 5 at Amazon.com.

Price: $332.84

The Corsair Vengeance RGB RS 64GB is among the best DDR-4 RAMs for gaming if you’re willing to spend more than $300 on great gaming memory hardware. At XMP settings, it outperforms some faster RAMs at a variety of data rates, and it’s generally one of the most impressive options available. Corsair and third-party RGB customization utilities are both supported, and the memory can reach speeds of up to 3,200MHz thanks to the module’s heat spreaders.

The RAM in your computer has a speed of DDR4-3,200MHz.

CAS Delay Time: 16

Times: 16:20:20:38

64 GB storage space (2 x 32 GB)

Pros:

  • To play or stream the latest desktop games, 64 GB of RAM is more than sufficient.
  • The RGB lighting, according to the reviews, is stunning. There is, however, a non-RGB version if that’s more to your liking.

Cons:

  • These memory sticks are most certainly not inexpensive.

Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4-2,666MHz

The most ideal for compact computer housing

The average rating on Amazon is 4.8 stars.

Price: $75.24

If the height of the RGB Pro model is an issue for your build (or personal preference), this low-profile variant is a fantastic alternative that will work with almost any configuration while maintaining the same level of performance. The dual-rank DIMMs and integrated heatsink help it perform admirably for its size. As an added bonus, this RAM is the way to go if your motherboard supports a maximum data rate of only DDR4-2,666 (like the H370 or B360).

Memory bandwidth: 2,666MHz DDR4

The CAS latency is 15.

The times are: 15:17:35

Storage space: 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)

Pros:

  • Perfect for compact computer cases
  • The use of dual-rank DIMMs results in a significant performance increase.

Cons:

  • A motherboard with XMP support is required.

G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4-2,666

Best for: gaming on a tighter budget

Amazon review average: 4.7 stars out of 5.

Price: $81.52

G.Skill’s Ripjaws V is the company’s second-generation DDR4 RAM, and we’re pleased to see that the company learned from the criticisms leveled at its first memory and made the Ripjaws V a vast improvement. New memory is more efficient, less expensive, and better at dissipating heat. Indeed, we consider Ripjaws V to be one of the finest midrange gaming RAMs. It’s a cinch to overclock to 2,800–3,000 MHz, and you can try going as high as 3,200 MHz, though you might run into stability issues.

DDR4-2,666MHz is the clock speed.

CAS Delay Time: 15

Periods of 15 seconds, 15 seconds, 15 seconds, and 35 seconds

16 GB (2 x 8 GB) storage space.

Pros:

  • Offering one of the market’s best price-to-quality ratios
  • cutting-edge style

Cons:

  • There is no XMP backup

Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR4-3,200

In particular, for creating a one-of-a-kind RGB lighting effect

Four and a half stars out of five on Amazon’s review section.

Price: $211.47

Corsair’s Dominator Platinum RGB was a disastrous failure. It has some of the best cooling technology available (DHX), some of the brightest LEDs (Capellix), and some of the best control software (iCUE) in a stylish case. If you’re willing to spend more than $200, this RAM is among the best options available. The RAM’s 32 GB DIMMs make it suitable for not only running a wide variety of games, but also for handling other tasks that may necessitate large amounts of storage space.

DDR4-3,200MHz is the clock rate.

Transmission Delay for CAS: 16

When: between 16 and 18 and 36

32 GB (2 x 16 GB) storage space.

Pros:

  • This model is the only one on the market with RGB lighting, and it looks fantastic.

Cons:

  • Some alternatives aren’t designed to work with Intel hardware.
  • More expensive than similar hardware on the market because of its unique aesthetic.

HyperX Predator Black 32GB DDR4-3200

For the most effective overclocked performance, the best option is.

Customer ratings on Amazon are 4.70 out of 5 stars.

Price: $205.70

One cannot help but notice that this 32 GB set is unique. While the over-the-top overclocking capabilities of this RAM will surprise overclocking enthusiasts, the DDR4-3200 XMP profile price of over $200 will likely deter typical RAM users who want to get high speeds “out of the box.” As far as overclocking gaming RAM goes, it’s the best we’ve tested. Each of the four modules can be synchronized with the others via infrared to ensure that the color sequences are displayed at the appropriate times.

DDR4 at 3200MHz is the fastest RAM currently available.

The delay for CAS is 16.

At these times: 16:18:36

32 GB (2 x 16 GB) storage space.

Pros:

  • Either a black-and-white or color option is available.
  • Excellent reliability and efficiency, according to users.

Cons:

  • You need RAM setup expertise to get the most out of your RAM.

Kingston HyperX Fury 16GB DDR3-1,866

Perfect for DDR3 configurations

Average customer rating: 4.70 out of 5 stars on Amazon

Price: $78.11

Our top-recommended DDR3 memory is listed below. This RAM is a good choice if you’re upgrading an older system that currently does not have enough sockets to accommodate DDR4-compatible memory. It could seem sluggish when compared to the other RAMs on our list. Despite this, it can detect the components of your system automatically and overclock itself to very impressive speeds, all while remaining a reasonably priced RAM.

Kingston HyperX FURY 16GB KIT 8GB x2 DDR3 1866MHZ HX318C10FK2/16 DIMM  GAMING RAM | eBay

DDR3-1,866MHz is the speed.

Average Network Delay for CAS: 10

The times are: 10:11:10

16 GB (2 x 8 GB) storage space.

Pros:

  • It’s a good option for computers that were built before DDR4 memory became standard.
  • Uses less power than comparable devices

Cons:

  • It’s not a good idea for modern constructions: DDR4 RAM modules cost the same as DDR3 modules but perform much more quickly.

Patriot Viper 4 8GB DDR4-3,000

Ideal for: Consistently Good Results

Customer ratings on Amazon are 4.70 out of 5 stars.

Price: $77.65

Here’s yet another top-notch overclocker, this time with an XMP profile that starts at a high base of 3000. The lack of fancy, user-configurable RGB LEDs throughout the system is offset by a reasonable price and the fact that the dual-DIMM RAM features attractive heatsinks, making the PC look sleek and modern inside the case. If you’re looking for a RAM with advanced XMP and significant overclocking but need to save money wherever you can and don’t care about RGB LEDs, this card is a great option.

DDR4-3000MHz Bandwidth

As of this writing, the CAS latency is 15.

Time intervals: 15-15-15-36

8 GB (2 x 4 GB) storage space.

Pros:

  • A good option for RAM in general

Cons:

  • Weak adaptability for user-initiated fine-tuning
  • For newly released games, 8 GB might not be enough.

Adata Spectrix D80 16GB DDR4-3,200

Best if you want to use liquid cooling and RGB lighting

Amazon review average: 4.62 stars out of 5

Price: $281.67

This specific model is the middle of the Spectrix D80 line, which includes 8, 16, and 32 GB variants, as well as DDR4-3,000 and DDR4-4,133 memory options. When compared to the Viper 4 model, the Spectrix D80 goes all out in terms of RGB lighting and overall design complexity, making it not only a great gaming RAM but also one of the flashiest ones. The liquid cooling system is the one selling point, as it allows you to choose a high-speed 4,133MHz model without worrying about it overheating.

DDR4 memory at 3,200 MHz.

Input Latency for CAS: 16

Sequence of events: 16-18-18-36

Having a total storage space of 16 GB (2 8 GB)

Pros:

  • Superb appearance
  • Exceptional tuning range

Cons:

  • When looking for 16 GB of RAM, this is one of the more expensive options.

RAM terminology

DIMMs. A memory card is physically inserted into a slot on the motherboard.

Speed. We frequently refer to RAM speed, which refers to the frequency at which RAM data is processed and is measured in megahertz (MHz). It modifies the rate at which a RAM can execute commands.

Timings. how many memory clock cycles the RAM needs to finish an operation requested by the memory controller. Accordingly, the faster these times are, the better.

The delay caused by the CAS. Column Obtainable Strobe Latency is the time it takes for data to be retrieved from RAM after it has been requested by the memory controller. It is the starting point for the RAM timings table.

XMP. The BIOS can be given a set of instructions called an EXtreme Memory Profile that specify the precise timings, frequency, and voltage at which RAM should be enabled. This profile is tailored for overclocking, allowing for restricted access to the feature without requiring extensive manual adjustment of individual BIOS settings.

RAM FAQ

Now that we’ve covered the meat of the article, we’ll quickly cover a few frequently asked questions about RAM and how it works.

Should you care about RAM speed?

Although RAM speed is a consideration, it has a negligible impact on how the game plays in practice. As an added complication, RAM speed is limited not only by the performance of the RAM modules themselves, but also by the performance of the CPU and the motherboard, so you may end up spending a lot more money than is strictly necessary to achieve those high speeds.

Should you care about CAS Latency?

Though lower latency is preferable, the performance gains from lower-latency models don’t amount to more than a couple of frames per second, similar to the benefits of faster RAM. Accordingly, it’s not something the typical gamer needs to stress over.

Should you get one stick or multiple?

With multiple RAM sticks of lower capacity, latency is reduced, failure costs are reduced, and dual-channel speeds are realized. Kits with two or four modules are therefore preferable to single high-capacity RAM sticks.

Is DDR5 worth getting in 2022?

Despite being theoretically superior to DDR4 in every way, DDR5 has a number of drawbacks, including a higher price tag, incompatibility with older hardware, and a lack of widespread optimization for use in games. That’s why it’s not a good financial move just yet.

Conclusion

That being said, I must conclude this article; I do hope you have gained something from reading it. Please share your opinions on the matter in the space provided below.

Check out our custom gaming PC configurations if you’re in the market for a new computer; we have options to meet the needs of gamers with a wide range of budgets.