How much RAM do you need for gaming?
Published: Updated:
Based on publisher requirements, not our tests. The numbers below are the official system requirements published by the game studios, linked for each game.
Short answer
16 GB is the baseline for current PC games; 32 GB is the safer choice for a new build. Cyberpunk 2077 recommends 16 GB for 1080p High, and up to 24 GB for its most demanding ray-tracing preset. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 requires 16 GB as a minimum and recommends 32 GB. Memory is sold in two-module kits, so the next step above 16 GB (2×8) is usually 32 GB (2×16).
What the publishers say
| Game | Minimum | Recommended | Highest listed preset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 (Update 2.0 / Phantom Liberty) | 12 GB | 16 GB | 20 GB (4K Ultra) · 24 GB (RT Overdrive) |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | 16 GB | 32 GB | — |
Sources: CD PROJEKT RED, Cyberpunk 2077 system requirements; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Steam.
Two trends show up in these lists. Requirements rise over time — Cyberpunk 2077 listed 8 GB as its minimum before Update 2.0 and 12 GB after. And the top presets in demanding games already sit above 16 GB.
How to choose
- 16 GB (2×8 GB): meets the recommended spec for most games; tight for simulators and heavy multitasking (browser, voice chat, streaming software alongside the game).
- 32 GB (2×16 GB): meets every requirement listed above, with room for background apps. The sensible default for a new build.
- 64 GB: not required by any game listed above. Useful if the same PC is used for video editing, large photo libraries or virtual machines.
Two modules, not four
On dual-channel desktop platforms, two modules give you both memory channels. Adding more modules can lower the supported speed: AMD rates the Ryzen 5 9600X at DDR5-5600 with two modules but DDR5-3600 with four (AMD). If you want 64 GB, a 2×32 GB kit keeps you on two modules.
DDR4 or DDR5?
That depends on your platform, not on the amount: see DDR4 vs DDR5.
FAQ
Does more RAM increase FPS? Only when a game runs short of memory. Above the amount a game needs, extra RAM does not raise frame rates by itself. We will publish frame-rate measurements only after running them on our own bench.
Does the graphics card’s memory count? No. Video memory (VRAM) is separate and listed separately in requirements — Cyberpunk 2077 recommends 8 GB of VRAM alongside 16 GB of system RAM.