Generally, we recommend 8GB of RAM for casual computer usage and internet browsing, 16GB for spreadsheets and other office programs, and at least 32GB for gamers and multimedia creators. How you use your computer influences how much RAM you need, so use this as a guideline.
16GB is what I personally recommend to anyone asking how much RAM they need. Why? Because this amount of memory gives people enough headroom for standard tasks and is well-suited for modern games. Even if you have multiple open tabs while playing a resource-intensive title, 16GB won't hold you back.
The more RAM you have, the more data your computer can access quickly, improving its overall performance. 32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough.
Most modern Android phones in the mid-range and flagship price tier include at least 8GB of RAM. We'd recommend no lesser than 6GB for a smooth multi-tasking experience. Is 4GB RAM enough on a smartphone? No, for intermediate-to-heavy use, we'd recommend at least 6GB of RAM on an Android device.
With regard to gaming, 8GB RAM is sufficient for all but the games that require a strong graphics card. In other words, 8GB RAM is sufficient for users who stick to basic productivity or who don't play contemporary games.
To be honest, there's not a lot of difference between 8GB and 16 GB of RAM. If you're doing office work and more basic games, then you really won't notice a massive difference between the two. However, if you're wanting to do video editing, play the very latest high-end games you'll definitely need more…
16GB is best, but it might not always be necessary. 8GB is a reliable amount of RAM for standard use. I wouldn't rely on it for gaming, but it's fine for laptop use. The similarities and differences don't really matter because it's just different amounts of memory for laptop or desktop computers.
16GB of RAM is the amount of memory we recommend for intermediate users looking for extra speed and smooth functioning. This may be especially beneficial if you tend to have several programs open and running, simultaneously. This is also a good level of RAM for casual gamers and standard business professionals.
For Windows 11, you need at least 4GB RAM, so that's already half of our 8GB allocation. Now, these minimum requirements obviously don't mean that Windows uses up all that memory. There's still some RAM left over for applications to use. But at the same time, these are minimum amounts.
Applications are eating more and more RAM.
Today that value is still enough if you just run a single game or any apps. But 8GB is not enough for running both of them. Compared to a few years ago, app's features are more powerful and perfect, but they are allocating and using more RAM.
16GB: Excellent for Windows and MacOS systems and also good for gaming, especially if it is fast RAM, though some games still need more. 32GB: This is the sweet spot for professionals and high-end gamers. It's enough to play any game, but pricing is still affordable.
Adding too much RAM will eventually jeopardize the computer's performance, even when you have enough of it. The additional RAM will start applying the law of diminishing returns at a certain point, meaning you won't get much value from it.
Unless you are into gaming, you don't even need 16 GB. But for future proof measure 16GB is sufficient. Just after 5 years, you may consider purchasing better processor system given that the technology will improve by leaps and bounds. Adding more RAM won't increase the processing speed in old CPU.
16GB. 16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.
Is it time for everyone to move to 32GB of RAM? At the time of writing, the answer is "yes" for mid to high-end gamers, heavy multitaskers, and anyone looking for the smoothest computing experience possible. We can't recommend 8GB of RAM for general computing anymore, at least not on Windows systems.
If you're struggling with 8GB, upgrading to 16GB will boost performance. If your software places a heavy demand on 16GB RAM, an upgrade to 32GB should make your computing easy. With large amounts of RAM, you should notice improved reliability, especially if programs were freezing up when you used them.
To install or upgrade to Windows 11, devices must meet the following minimum hardware requirements: Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC). Memory: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater. Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space.
If you're a light user, browsing the web, emailing, and editing documents, then 4GB may suffice. But it will definitely feel laggy. Increasing this to 6 or 8GB of RAM will not only give you a much better experience, but also allow you to do more with your system.
An SSD is non-volatile and permanently saves data, whereas RAM is a compressed sort of memory. This implies that the SSD saves data even while it is off, whereas the RAM needs to be refreshed continuously. A256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM is enough for a computer.
If you plan to run a lot of programs and need more space for temporary files, you'll need more memory. If you just need a place to store software, games, files, etc., you should focus more on storage.
Generally, the more RAM your computer has, the larger the digital countertop you have to work on and the faster your programs will run. If your computer is running slowly due to a lack of RAM, you might be tempted to increase virtual memory because it is less expensive.
The amount of RAM just determines how many programs you can simultaneously run (multitask) not the actual speed within those programs. That is dependent on frequency and timings. While 8GB higher frequency RAM will be faster than 16GB low frequency RAM, it also limits the amount of programs you can simultaneously use.
For the next 2-3 years, the 8GB RAM will be good for normal use, but for heavy tasks, you should get at least 16GB RAM. So, the 8GB RAM is a standard today, but it's not future-proof. The 16GB RAM is what we can call future-proof.
For entry-level gaming 16GB is still fine. One does not need to use 1440p (or higher) + high details. But with the prices of DDR4 and the prices of DDR5 gooing down, it's actually not an issue to have 32GB and be all set for a couple years IF you already have a mid-range or higher system.
The most obvious difference when comparing 8GB to 16 GB RAM lies in how much data can be stored within each type. While both offer decent amounts of storage capacity, 16GB RAM provides twice as much with the added benefit of being able to store larger files at once.