How much RAM for a gaming PC in 2025? The ultimate guide to choosing without making a mistake

how much ram for gaming pc 16 or 32 gb of ram

You want to get into PC gaming, or maybe you're looking to upgrade your current setup to be more comfortable with the latest titles? In both cases, one question often arises: how much RAM do you need for a gaming PC today? And that's an excellent question because RAM, or random-access memory, is one of the essential components to ensure smooth performance, good responsiveness, and an optimal gaming experience, especially with increasingly demanding AAA games. In this ultra-comprehensive guide, we will explain everything you need to know about RAM in a gaming PC, whether you are a casual player or a hardcore gamer with three screens, OBS, Chrome, Discord, and Starfield running at the same time. Spoiler alert: no, 8 GB is no longer really enough. But 64 GB is often too much. So, we will break it all down.

What is RAM and why is it so important for your gaming PC?

The RAM (Random Access Memory) is a form of temporary memory that your PC uses to store the data it needs in the short term while you are using it. Unlike a hard drive or SSD, RAM is volatile, which means that everything it contains is erased as soon as you turn off your computer.

But while you play, it is the RAM that links the processor, your graphics card, and the rest of the system so that everything runs quickly and smoothly. When you launch a game, explore an open world, load a map, switch between tabs on Chrome while keeping OBS and Discord open, your RAM is constantly being used.

👉 The more RAM you have, the more space your system has to "breathe." And in the gaming world, having enough RAM often makes the difference between a smooth session and a struggle with stuttering, freezes, and never-ending loading times.

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đź§® Gaming computer RAM: how much do you really need to play today?

The question of the ideal quantity of gaming computer RAM depends largely on your actual usage. You don't play the same way if you launch LoL once a week or if you stream Baldur’s Gate III with mods and overlays every night. Here's a very clear comparison to help you assess your needs 👇

Use Recommended RAM Details
Browsing, office work, Netflix 8 GB Bare minimum for basic tasks. Avoid for gaming.
Light gaming (low-demand games) 16 GB The standard for hassle-free gaming, even on recent titles.
Gaming AAA, multitasking, streaming 32 GB Ideal for heavy gaming, OBS, mods, intensive multitasking.
4K video editing, 3D, professional 64 GB+ Only for ultra-intensive uses, not for classic gaming.
Swipe to view more

🎯 Is 16 GB of RAM enough for gaming?

It's THE big question that everyone is asking: "16 GB of RAM is it enough to play?" And the answer is clear: yes, in 2025, 16 GB are still sufficient for a very large majority of players. You can run games like Elden Ring, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077 or even modded GTA V without any major issues.

But be careful, this statement has its limits. If you're the type to launch your game while keeping YouTube, Discord, Spotify, Steam, Chrome (with 15 tabs open, of course), and OBS running in the background , then you may experience a lack of fluidity. And there, 16 GB will quickly be saturated. For more intensive use, especially in multitasking or streaming, It is clearly recommended that you upgrade to 32 GB of RAM.

⚔️ 16 or 32 GB of RAM for gaming: the right choice depends on YOUR profile

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There is a debate that regularly comes back in the community: " 16 or 32 GB of RAM for gaming? "Some will say that 16 GB is enough for all current games. Others will argue that you need 32 GB to "be safe" in the future. Here is a detailed comparison table to help you make your choice:."

Criterion 16 GB 32 GB
Recent high-quality games âś… Very good âś… Excellent
Simultaneous streaming 🟡 Possible, but limited ✅ Smooth
Intensive multitasking 🟡 Chrome/Discord + game = fair ✅ No problem
Modded games (Skyrim, Starfield) 🟡 OK, but be careful with heavy mods ✅ Top
Future proofing (2026+) 🟡 To monitor ✅ Good for 3-4 years
Swipe to view more

🧬 Frequency, latency, DDR4 or DDR5: the quality of your RAM also matters

When we talk about gaming desktop RAM , one must not only focus on the quantity. The quality of your RAM , that is to say its technical specifications, can also play a role in performance:

  • Frequency (MHz): The higher the frequency, the faster the RAM can transfer data. In gaming, 3200 MHz is an excellent minimum, but if you want to maximize performance with an AMD Ryzen processor, 3600 MHz is often ideal.
  • CAS Latency: The lower the CAS, the better. A 3200 MHz CL16 RAM will generally be more responsive than a 3200 MHz CL22.
  • DDR4 vs DDR5: DDR5 is faster, but still quite expensive and useful especially if you have a very recent setup (Intel 13th gen or AMD Ryzen 7000). DDR4 remains an excellent value for money.

👉 We explain all this to you in our complete guide to gaming RAM 2025 .

"Gaming RAM PC" : Is there a real difference with regular RAM?

You will often see bars labeled as "Gaming RAM" or "RAM gamer", with a stylish look, heat sinks, and RGB LEDs everywhere. But in terms of raw performance , a "gaming" stick and a "standard" stick of the same frequency and latency will do almost the same job.

The difference? The style, the cooling, and sometimes a bit of stability in overclocking. So if you want your setup to look like a monster and shine like a Christmas tree, go for gaming RAM. Otherwise, focus on the specs.

pc-ram

đź”§ Adding RAM to a gaming PC: easy, fast, efficient

Good news: RAM is one of the simplest components to upgrade on a gaming PC You don't need to be a hardware expert to add RAM.

  1. Check how many slots are available on your motherboard (usually 2 or 4).
  2. Use CPU-Z or Speccy to know what you have already installed.
  3. Choose a compatible kit (same type, same frequency if you add).
  4. Turn off your PC, discharge yourself from static electricity, and install the RAM modules.
  5. Restart. That's it.

And there you go, you just increased your PC's performance in less than 10 minutes. 🔥

🛍️ The best RAM sticks for gamers in 2025

Do you want a reliable, high-performance RAM kit that is compatible with your setup? At DropReference, we reference all RAM stocks in your country and even provide our recommendations through our tags. You can take a look at the RAM stocks or even directly here:

Filters

G. Skill Aegis DDR4 2400 PC4-19200 4 Go CL15

G. Skill Aegis DDR4 2400 PC4-19200 4 Go CL15

23€

(1 Vendors)
Brand: G.Skill
Top brand DDR4 Low frequency Single RAM
MEMOIRE CORSAIR CMSX8GX4M1A2666C18

MEMOIRE CORSAIR CMSX8GX4M1A2666C18

24€

(1 Vendors)
Brand: Corsair
Top brand DDR4 Single RAM
Corsair ValueSelect 8 Go DDR4 2133 MHz CL15

Corsair ValueSelect 8 Go DDR4 2133 MHz CL15

24€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Corsair
Top brand DDR4 Low frequency Single RAM
patriot patriot extreme performance viper steel - ddr4 - 8 gb: 2 x 4 gb - dimm 288-pin - ungepuffert noir

patriot patriot extreme performance viper steel - ddr4 - 8 gb: 2 x 4 gb - dimm 288-pin - ungepuffert noir

31€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Patriot
DDR4 Viable DDR4 Dual Channel
Crucial CB8GU3200 module de mémoire 4 Go 1 x 4 Go DDR4 3200 MT/s

Crucial CB8GU3200 module de mémoire 4 Go 1 x 4 Go DDR4 3200 MT/s

34€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand DDR4 High latency Dual Channel
Corsair ValueSelect 8 Go DDR4 2400 MHz CL16

Corsair ValueSelect 8 Go DDR4 2400 MHz CL16

39€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Corsair
Top brand DDR4 Low frequency Single RAM
Goodram GR2666D464L19S/16G DDR4 2666MHz 16GB CL19

Goodram GR2666D464L19S/16G DDR4 2666MHz 16GB CL19

40€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Goodram
DDR4 Low frequency Single RAM
Lexar DDR4 3200MHz 16GB CL22

Lexar DDR4 3200MHz 16GB CL22

40€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Lexar
DDR4 High latency Single RAM
G.Skill Ripjaws F4-2666C19D-16GRS module de mémoire 16 Go 2 x 8 Go DDR4 2666 MHz

G.Skill Ripjaws F4-2666C19D-16GRS module de mémoire 16 Go 2 x 8 Go DDR4 2666 MHz

40€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: G.Skill
Top brand Classic Gaming DDR4 Low frequency Dual Channel
Kingston ValueRAM 16 Go DDR4 3200 MHz CL22 2Rx8

Kingston ValueRAM 16 Go DDR4 3200 MHz CL22 2Rx8

40€

(7 Vendors)
Brand: Kingston
DDR4 High latency Single RAM
Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 3600 MHz 8GB CL17

Kingston FURY Beast DDR4 3600 MHz 8GB CL17

40€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Kingston
DDR4 Viable DDR4 Single RAM
Adata SO-DIMM DDR4 2666 MHz 16 Go CL19

Adata SO-DIMM DDR4 2666 MHz 16 Go CL19

40€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Adata
DDR4 Low frequency Single RAM
G.Skill Aegis 16 Go (1 x 16 Go) DDR4 3000 MHz CL16

G.Skill Aegis 16 Go (1 x 16 Go) DDR4 3000 MHz CL16

40€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: G.Skill
Top brand DDR4 Optimized DDR4 Single RAM
G.SKill Value DDR4 2133 MHz PC4-17000 8 Go 2 x 4 Go CL15

G.SKill Value DDR4 2133 MHz PC4-17000 8 Go 2 x 4 Go CL15

40€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: G.Skill
Top brand DDR4 Optimized DDR4 Dual Channel
Kingston KF426C16BB2A/8

Kingston KF426C16BB2A/8

40€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Kingston
DDR4 Low frequency Single RAM
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro CMW8GX4M1Z3600C18 module de mémoire 8 Go DDR4 3600 MHz

Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro CMW8GX4M1Z3600C18 module de mémoire 8 Go DDR4 3600 MHz

40€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: Corsair
Top brand DDR4 Viable DDR4 Single RAM
G.Skill Ripjaws SODIMM DDR4 2666 MHz 8 Go CL19

G.Skill Ripjaws SODIMM DDR4 2666 MHz 8 Go CL19

40€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: G.Skill
Top brand DDR4 Low frequency Single RAM
G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 1600 PC3-12800 8 Go 2x4 Go CL9

G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 1600 PC3-12800 8 Go 2x4 Go CL9

40€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: G.Skill
Top brand DDR4 Low frequency Dual Channel
Kingston ValueRAM SO-DIMM 16 Go DDR4 3200 MHz CL22 1Rx8

Kingston ValueRAM SO-DIMM 16 Go DDR4 3200 MHz CL22 1Rx8

40€

(6 Vendors)
Brand: Kingston
DDR4 High latency Single RAM
Kingston ValueRAM SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 PC3-10600 4GB CL9

Kingston ValueRAM SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 PC3-10600 4GB CL9

40€

(1 Vendors)
Brand: Kingston
DDR4 Low frequency Dual Channel

âť“ FAQ: All the answers to your questions about gamer PC RAM

→ Is 8GB of RAM enough for gaming?

Honestly, no. In 2025, 8 GB is outdated for gaming, even occasionally. You risk experiencing slowdowns as soon as you launch more than one software at a time.

Does RAM influence FPS?

Not directly, but if you don't have enough RAM, your PC swaps to the disk, which slows everything down. You lose fluidity and loading time.

Can I mix two different RAM kits?

It is possible, but not recommended. You risk instability or throttling to the lowest frequency.

Should I choose 2x16 GB or 4x8 GB?

Prefer 2x16 GB if your motherboard only has 4 slots, it leaves you room to add more later.

đź§  Conclusion: how much RAM does a PC gamer really need in 2025?

To summarize simply:

  • 🎮 You play from time to time, without streaming → 16 GB is enough.
  • 🚀 You play to the max, you stream, you open lots of apps at the same time → 32 GB bring you royal comfort.
  • 🎥 You work in 4K, you do editing or 3D → 64 GB or more, but that's another world.

By 2025, the right compromise for a modern gamer, it's clearly 32 GB of RAM You will be comfortable with all games, even the most demanding ones, and you will see the difference in fluidity.