We notice you are currently visiting the UK site. Would you like to visit our main site instead?

Yes, please
a close up shot of Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5 memory installed in a motherboard PC

How much memory do you need for gaming?

Oct 2023
Blog Home

Gaming memory, also referred to as RAM (Random Access Memory), is essential for PC gamers who want to make their gaming experience as fast and smooth as possible. During gameplay, if your PC glitches and response times are slow, you may need to add more memory. Having more than enough memory for the titles that you want to play is recommended for any gamer who wants to improve their gaming experience. RAM will boost your system’s responsiveness and improve frame rates. The exact amount of memory that you will need for gaming will be determined by the type of games you want to play and if you need to use any other applications at the same time. However, it is important to note that memory is not the only component to consider for improving the overall gaming experience. Your operating system, SSD, processor, and graphics card will also have an impact on gameplay.

How does RAM work?

a close up shot of Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 RGB memory installed in a motherboard PC

RAM is the computer’s short-term, fast-access storage that temporarily holds information between your processor and SSD/HDD. SSDs and HDDs are considered long-term memory, where information is stored more permanently. When you launch a game on a PC, all the relevant data that your PC might need to access during the game is loaded into RAM. Constantly pulling information from the SSD or HDD can be inefficient and slow. Having enough RAM reduces the constant back and forth data swaps that happen with storage, making games and applications respond faster.

How much RAM do you need for gaming?

The amount of RAM that you need for gaming really depends on the games that you want to play as RAM requirements differ for each game title and format. For specific games, it’s important to check the game developers’ minimum system requirements.

However, meeting the minimum requirements won’t guarantee the smoothest gaming experience. Your new game may still suffer lagging frame rates or overall poor performance. Game developers usually have RAM capacity listed for "recommended requirements” and some may even list “high” or “ultra high” capacities. When considering how much RAM to install it’s also recommended to plan for tomorrow’s needs, particularly when you consider future titles may ratchet up their RAM requirements.

Lastly, it’s important to check your specific computer’s upgrade options. Most PCs and laptops use RAM installed in identical pairs, and feature either two or four memory sockets. So you’ll want to choose the optimal parts as a set or kit to get the best performance from the memory.

How much memory you need for gaming does not only depend on what games you want to play, but also how many other applications you have open in the background. While some people might be able to use 8GB to play a few older games, 16GB will definitely improve your gaming experience if you like to play more modern games. But what about running tasks in the background, like Chrome or Discord? For that, you may need 32GB. 32GB of RAM may sound like a lot, but having a surplus of available capacity can make a huge difference in performance and proves why so many gaming enthusiasts spend more money to add 32GB, 48GB, or even 64GB to their systems. The latest game releases are already starting to recommend a minimum 16GB of RAM. So, if you use your PC for more than just gaming or want to future-proof for upcoming releases, 32GB could be the right option for you.

#KingstonIsWithYou #KingstonFURY

Related Videos

Trisha looking at a glowing PC monitor 6:58

Installing IO plate, motherboard, GPU, cables, SSD

We’ll show you which order to install these components, which will make it much easier to do.

Trisha holding a memory module with both hands 6:26

Installing CPU, RAM, cooling

We show you how to install these components into a custom PC rig.

How to install an NVMe M.2 SSD in a PlayStation® 5 3:19

How to install an NVMe M.2 SSD in a PlayStation® 5

PlayStation®5 users can now install an M.2 SSD to expand their PS5™ console storage. In this guide we’ll walk you through successfully installing a new M.2 SSD in a PlayStation 5.

Trisha holding cash and looking at an image of a screwdriver and a dollar sign. 5:05

Buy or build a gaming PC?

To buy or to build: that is the question. Should you make your own gaming PC or buy a pre-built machine?

a hand installing Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 RGB into a PC motherboard

Kingston Product Finder

When you start with Kingston, choosing memory is easy.
With over 35 years of expertise, Kingston has the knowledge and resources you need to choose memory with confidence.

Search by System/Device

Simply enter the make and model number or system part number of the computer system or digital device to find the Kingston products you need.

Search by Part Number

Search by either the Kingston part number, distributor part number or manufacturer equivalent part number.

Related Articles

Blog Home