If you’re looking to build a gaming computer, you’ll want to consider the amount of RAM that you’ll need.
If you’re planning on playing games at 1080p resolution, then you’ll probably need 8GB of RAM. However, if you plan on playing games at 4K resolution, then you’ll need 16GB of RAM.
There’s a lot of confusion around the amount of RAM needed for a gaming PC. Some people think that 8GB of RAM is enough while others believe that 16GB of RAM is required. The truth is that there isn’t a set amount of RAM that you need. It depends on what kind of games you play and how high you want to run the game settings.
In this article, I’m going to explain exactly how much RAM you should buy for your gaming PC.
What’s the right amount of RAM for playing PC games?
The first thing we have to do is figure out which type of video card you will be using in order to determine how many GBs of memory are necessary. There are two types of cards: GDDR5 or DDR3. Both offer different speeds but they also cost differently as well. Let’s take a look at both options so that you can decide which one works best for you.
DDR3 vs. GDDR5 Video Cards
A graphics processing unit is responsible for rendering 3-dimensional images from 2-dimensional pictures. This means that it takes all the information about an image and turns it into pixels. These pixels make up the final picture that you see when you watch a movie or play a game.
When building a new system, you may not know whether you want to go with DDR3 or GDDR5. You might even ask yourself why would anyone choose DDR3 over GDDR5? Well, here’s why…
You get more bang for your buck with DDR3 than you do with GDDR5. With DDR3, you pay less money per gigabyte of memory compared to GDDR5. For example, let’s say that you wanted to purchase 1TB worth of memory. A single stick of DDR3 costs $100 whereas a single stick of GDDR5 costs $200. So, by purchasing just 1 TB of DDR3 instead of 1 TB of GDDR5, you save $300! That’s pretty awesome.
You don’t necessarily need to use every bit of memory that you purchased. In fact, most systems only utilize half of their total capacity. But, having extra memory available allows you to increase performance without spending too much money.
Factors besides RAM that affect gaming performance
Now that we’ve covered the basics of RAM, let’s talk about some other factors that influence gaming performance. Here are three things that you must keep in mind before buying any components for your next gaming rig.
1. CPU Speed –
The CPU speed has a huge impact on overall performance. Faster CPUs allow you to load programs faster and perform tasks quicker. They also help reduce lag time between actions. As such, choosing a fast processor is important because it helps improve the gameplay experience. If your cpu is not compatible with other parts then it will hinder your system performance.
2. Motherboard Size –
Motherboards come in various sizes. Smaller motherboards tend to fit better within smaller cases. Larger motherboards usually require larger cases. Therefore, size matters. Make sure that you pick something that fits comfortably inside your case. Also, check out our guide on motherboard sizing to learn more.
3. Video Card Type –
We already mentioned that there are two main types of video cards: DDR3 and GDDR5. Each offers its own benefits. If you’re looking to build a budget-friendly computer, then DDR3 is probably what you should consider. However, if you plan on upgrading later down the road, then you’ll definitely benefit from going with GDDR5.
4. Case Style & Cooling System –
There are several styles of cases. Some are built specifically for overclocking while others aren’t. The style of case you select depends largely upon personal preference. It also depends on what kind of cooling system you intend to install.
5. Power Supply Quality –
The quality of power supplies can have a big effect on how well your system performs. Cheap PSUs often produce high amounts of heat which could damage your hardware. On top of this, they typically lack sufficient wattage output. To avoid these problems, look for a PSU that meets at least 80 Plus Bronze standards.
Single Module vs Multiple Modules
If you were wondering when you’d see multiple modules installed into one slot, now is as good a time as ever. Today, many manufacturers offer dual-channel kits where each module comes preinstalled. This means that you won’t be required to buy additional slots. Instead, all you need to do is plug them in.
Dual-Channel Kits
A dual-channel kit consists of 2 identical sticks of RAM. These are soldered together so that both channels work simultaneously. Dual-channel kits provide higher bandwidth than single stick configurations. For example, 8GB of DDR3 will run at 1333MHz instead of 1066MHz. You may want to go with dual-channel kits if you plan on running games like Battlefield 4 or Call Of Duty Black Ops 3.
Multi-Channel Kit
Multi-channel kits consist of different-sized RAM chips. Typically, multi-channel kits include 1×8 GB, 1×16 GB, and/or 1×32 GB. In addition, most multi-channel kits feature ECC memory. This allows you to use lower latency speeds without sacrificing data integrity.
Number of Sticks
RAM sticks come in varying numbers. Most systems today ship with four sticks of RAM. However, some computers only support three sticks. Regardless of whether you get fewer or more sticks, make sure that you purchase compatible RAM. Otherwise, you risk damaging your motherboard by installing incompatible RAM.
Summarizing RAM’s Role in Gaming PCs
As we’ve seen above, RAM plays an important role in gaming PCs. Without it, performance would suffer greatly. That said, not every gamer needs 16GB of RAM. As long as you don’t exceed 32GB, you shouldn’t encounter any issues. Just keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better.
Conclusion
In conclusion, RAM has become increasingly popular over recent years. With the right amount of RAM, you can enjoy smooth gameplay even under heavy load conditions. We hope our guide helped answer your questions about RAM!
