Above 64 gigabytes of memory.
Above 64 gigabytes of memory.
For gaming? Not really. Some heavily modified games and titles like MSFS can benefit from it, but unless you’re sure you’ll be using them that way, you’re spending money without gain. There are many productivity jobs that need more RAM. Video editing isn’t the only area, as compiling code for large projects, compressing data, and training AI models often exceed 64GB. Still, unless you’re doing those things, extra RAM is just waste.
Thanks for the reply. I have 64 gigabytes of RAM, but I’ve noticed many people talking about pushing performance limits for games like War Thunder. It makes me a bit concerned about needing even more.
In recent evaluations, it's challenging to reach a situation where most titles require more than 16GB of memory, let alone 32GB or 64GB. Unless developers are using large modsets, running specific simulations, or playing Star Citizen, many are experiencing RAM concerns. 32GB offers the optimal balance for smooth performance across games today. 64GB is excessive for most needs.
I'm used to running Minecraft modded, Ark Ascended modded, and Star Citizen games. I don't require 64GB, but I often go above 32GB—usually around 33-35GB. Both on Steam and Windows. Upgrading from 32GB to 40GB wasn't straightforward, though. Of course, this is mostly my machine usage, with a lot of extra background apps. I don’t just turn off the system for gaming; I want everything running smoothly. Right now, anything I build needs at least 32GB. Still, I should upgrade my kid’s machine to 32GB soon—she’s getting more modded and detailed as she gets older.
RAM usage is often misunderstood. Many notice their 32GiB memory with only 25GiB active, thinking they’re nearly full. But unused space still counts as wasted capacity. Modern systems usually try to make the most of available memory by caching large files, yet high utilization doesn’t always signal an imminent shortage. There’s frequently ample room to free up space without affecting performance.
Assuming DDR6 comes next year, it could lead to games and software needing more than 64GB of memory. However, it won't be available this year—likely around 2027 or earlier.
DDR6 doesn't play a role here. The main factor is the current gaming platform generation, which largely controls core game development. Unless you're playing niche PC titles, it's probably only loosely connected to console requirements for RAM needs.
I believe as RAM size grows, applications adjust accordingly. Of course, backward compatibility remains crucial—just a decade or two ago, 16GB was sufficient. (DDR4 considerations?) Of course, my forecasts are just guesses.