If you’ve ever built a gaming PC or are planning to build or buy one, you’ve probably asked yourself, “What amount of RAM is good for gaming?” It’s a common question among gamers, and for good reason, RAM affects how smoothly your games run, your system’s responsiveness, and your multitasking capabilities.
In this guide, we’ll help you determine how much RAM you need for gaming in 2025. Whether you are a casual gamer, a competitive eSports player, or someone planning to stream and create content, we’ll show you how to choose the right memory for your gaming PC.
Table of Contents
What Does RAM Do For Gaming?
Firstly, let’s understand the role RAM plays in gaming performance. Random Access Memory, or RAM, acts as temporary storage for data that the processor needs quick access to. Therefor, when you launch a game, assets like textures, maps, character models, and game logic are loaded into RAM, enabling your system to retrieve them fast without constantly pulling from your slower hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD).
Is RAM Important for Gaming?
RAM is crucial for storing game assets, and other temporary data while the game is running. Insufficient RAM can lead to performance issues like stuttering, slow loading times, even crashes. As any gamer can attest, these issues are annoying to deal with and can even make you not want to play a game all together.
Besides keeping performance issues at bay, having enough RAM helps your system handle background processes while you game. These include streaming, chatting on Discord, or running a browser in the background – with tons of tabs open. This is particularly important for gamers who like to multitask.
How Much RAM Do I Need For Gaming?
In 2025, the baseline RAM requirements for gaming have shifted compared to previous years. 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. You’ll notice that most of our PCs now feature this as a default. We usually have some sort of RAM promotion on our website, allowing you to double your memory for no additional cost. You can check out all of our current deals here.
8GB RAM
Years ago, 8GB of RAM was the go to for playing a vast majority of PC games. In today’s demanding gaming environment, however, 8GB won’t cut it in many cases. Many modern games stretch the limits of 8GB, especially when multitasking. That said, 8GB RAM capacity can still be a good option for the following scenarios.
- You’re a casusal gamer who mostly enjoys lightweight or older games like Minecraft, League of Legends, and CS:GO. You don’t mind playing on lower graphics settings to get better performance.
- You are building a budget friendly gaming PC and want to spend the least on your RAM kit and upgrade it later when you have more money to put into your build.
- You only run programs and games alone, without heavy Chrome tabs, streaming software, or background apps.
If you are a student or someone new to gaming who only needs to meet the minimum requirements for most situations. Sometimes, you may use your PC for schoolwork or web browsing.
16GB RAM
16GB PC gaming RAM works for most players. It delivers smooth performance across modern titles, allowing you to multitask and it leaves room for various processes. 16GB is the recommended RAM for gaming if:
- You play modern AAA games like CyberPunk 2077 and competitive multiplayer titles at medium to Ultra settings.
- You want stable performance and solid frame rates without worrying about RAM bottlenecks while playing games.
- You often play games while running apps like Chrome and Spotify on a second monitor with Twitch or YouTube open.
- You strive to build a powerful gaming PC that can modern games and new releases without necessarily splurging on even more RAM.
- You want to be ready for new titles in the next 2-4 years even, if they list 16GB as the minimum or recommended spec.
You plan to pair the RAM with a mid to high end graphics card and CPU and want to enjoy reliable performance.
32GB RAM
32GB is the RAM needed for gaming if you’re a serious player and content creator who want to do it all without worrying about memory limits. Invest in this level if:
- You are a contnet creator who livestreams on platforms like Twitch or Youtube while running OBS, game capture, browser overlays, and chat widgets. You also edit videos, manage large project files, or use Adobe apps alongside your games.
- You are a heavy multitasker who keeps dozens of browser tabs open and simultaneously uses editing software and background tools.
- You are a gamer with an incredibly demanding workload. Apart from playing the newest memory hunger titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator, you use high resolution textures, shaders, and mods that push your memory usage even harder.
You are a gamer who also develops games. You enjoy diving into tools like Unreal Engine, Unity, and Blender to test things out. Creating a workstation that can easily hand creative projects and gaming.
How To Choose The Perfect Gaming RAM: Factors to Consider
For most gamers wondering how much RAM they need for gaming. 16GB is the sweet spot in 2025. This amount provides enough headroom for the operating system, background processes, and the game to run smoothly without aby bottlenecks. It also allows for multitasking, such as running a game while streaming or video editing, without compromising performance.
However, 32GB of RAM is the more attractive option for enthusiasts or those looking for a more future proof system. Games are becoming increasingly demanding, with features like ray tracing, advanced physics simulations, and larger open worlds requiring more memory to run smoothly.
Additionally, having more RAM can help future-proof your system against titles that may have even higher requirements. It can also ensure your gaming PC is equipped for tasks you may do outside of gaming, such as graphic design, video editing, or needing to multitask with a variety of programs.
Improved Performance… but Diminishing Returns
That said, there is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to RAM for gaming. While more than 16Gb or 32GB of RAM may offer some benefits, such as smoother multitasking or better performance in certain games, the difference in gaming performance is often marginal compared to the increasing cost. For most gamers, investing in other components like a faster CPU or GPU will yield more noticeable improvements in gaming performance. So consider your needs when customizing a PC on your PC on our website, or selecting one of our prebuilt systems at a retailer like Best Buy.
The specific requirements can vary depending on the types of games you play and the settings you prefer. For example, esports games like Fortnite, Valorant, and League of Legends typically have lower RAM requirements compared to AAA titles.
RAM Speed
Another thing to consider besides the amount of RAM is the RAM speed. Faster RAM can help the CPU access data more quickly, allowing it to process game instructions and feed data to the GPU more efficiently. In CPU-bound games, this can lead to slightly faster frame rates. For DDR5-based systems, we recommend RAM that runs at 4800 Mhz and above to get the most out of your PC.
DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM
When buying RAM for your gaming PC, you must choose between DDR4 and DDR5 memory. While both are widely available they offer different experiences. For starters, DDR5 can offer significantly higher bandwidth, which means faster data transfer between RAM and CPU. This can result in smoother performance in memory – intensive games or when multitasking. As you might expect, DDR5 is more expensive than DDR4 RAM. This makes it suitable for enthusiast who want the newest and best performing hardware in their PCs.
It’s also noteworthy that DDR4 and DDR5 RAM are not interchangeable. For the latter, you will need a DDR5-compatible motherboard and CPU, such as Intel 12th Gen or AMD Ryzen 7000 series – or higher.
Compatibility
When choosing your gaming system memory, you must ensure that it is compatible with your motherboard and CPU. This combability affects your performance, stability, and whether or not your PC will even boot.
To check your RAM compatibility, go through your motherboard’s Qualified Vendor List (QVL) on the manufacturers website. It specifies the RAM modules that are tested and confirmed to pair well with your motherboard.
Tools like the Crucial System scanner and Intel’s ARK database can help you find the best RAM for your motherboard and CPU. And your motherboard’s manual also tells you the maximum RAM capacity, speed, and supported configurations, such as 2x16GB or dual channel.
Level Up Your Gaming with CyberPowerPC
Your PC’s RAM is something that can make or break your build. Now that you know how much memory you need for your gaming PC and what to consider when choosing it, you’re one step closer to creating the perfect gaming setup.
At CyberPowerPC, we can help you complete your build, ensuring it fits your distinct playstyle, performance needs, and budget. We have an extensive collection of gaming PCs that deliver powerful specs and reliable performance. You can also check out our pre-built PCs for a quick upgrade.
And if you’re still not sure what RAM is good for gaming, contact our team for guidance. Regardless of how you play, we have the right computer hardware to help you play harder and faster.
How Much RAM Do You Need For Gaming: FAQs
Is 64GB of RAM good for gaming?
64GB of RAM is more than enough for gaming. While it won’t hurt your gaming experience, in most titles you won’t notice a difference over 32GB.
Will 32GB RAM improve FPS?
32GB of RAM may improve FPS in some situations, such as when playing intensive games or multitasking with demanding apps.
What is a good amount of RAM for gaming competitively?
16GB of RAM is ideal for competitive gamers. It provides plenty of memory to run fast paced games at quality settings and it allows for background apps like Discord without affecting performance. In 2025, consider 32GB of RAM for improved performance and future proofing.
How much memory should a gaming PC have for streaming?
We recommend 32GB of RAM for streamers. With it, you can leverage streaming software like Streamlabs or OBS, run background apps, and enjoy your preferred games without stuttering.
How do I track my PC gaming RAM usage?
You can track RAM usage using built in tools like Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click on the performance tab and select memory. This view shows the amount of RAM available and how your memory usage changes in real-time as you run a game or application.
Can I upgrade my PC’s existing RAM?
Yes, you can upgrade your existing RAM if your system supports it. Most desktop PCs and gaming laptops have extra RAM slots, allowing you to replace the current RAM modules with higher-capacity ones or add in additional sticks.