A modern game rig should have at least 16GB of RAM for smooth performance.
A modern game rig should have at least 16GB of RAM for smooth performance.
I developed my setup in 2013 when 16 GB was more than enough for gaming. Over nearly a decade, upgrades have changed the landscape—now many people use 32 GB as the norm. Considering current trends, 16 GB still works but might feel limited. 32 GB could offer better performance and future-proofing.
16GB works well for most needs, but opting for 32GB is a better choice if you have the budget.
This discussion has been repeated many times before. People often claim 16GB suffices, especially those using low to mid-range systems at 1080p. Others argue that high-end users needing 1440p or higher require at least 32GB. I personally use games that demand around 20GB of RAM and feel confident that 32GB is the ideal amount for modern high-performance machines.
For most games, 16GB suffices. It reaches the maximum practical amount, though it still works well if you don’t have a lot of background tasks or multiple Chrome tabs open (which is why I’m choosing 32GB). The situation isn’t straightforward. If staying within your budget makes sense, going down to 16GB could let you upgrade components like the GPU, CPU, or storage for better performance. You can always switch to 32GB a few years later if needed. Adding more RAM wouldn’t hurt and would give you more flexibility in managing memory. (This applies only to DDR4 systems; DDR5 chips perform worse with 8GB compared to 16GB due to narrower buses.)
I understand your perspective. 16gb works well when you're not juggling many background processes. For heavier workloads, 32gb tends to be more reliable. If you're planning an upgrade, there are some great offers on eBay. A 32gb option usually costs between $50 and $100 without the extra features. DDR3 is nearing its end of production, having been available for about 8 years since its release, while DDR4 has been around for roughly 15 years.
In a year or so I believe the situation will be such that no one will still use DDR4 since all new CPUs will switch to DDR5. Still, the main point remains upgrading a nine-year-old system by adding two more RAM modules isn't really worth it, because most of it will need updates soon—possibly even now.