16GB vs 32GB RAM for Gaming in 2024 - How Much Is Enough?

How much is enough RAM in 2024? Today we run some side by side comparisons to see how much extra performance 32GB can get you over 16GB. We run tests in Forza Horizon 5, Cyberpunk, CoD MW3 and F1 23 and MSFS 2020.

▼ My PC Specs and Gear ▼

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00:00 - Introduction
00:46 - Forza Horizon 5 Benchmark (4K Extreme Preset)
01:44 - Cyberpunk Benchmark (4K, RT Ultra Preset)
02:38 - F1 23 Benchmark (4K, Ultra High Preset)
02:57 - Call of Duty MW3 Benchmark (4K, Ultra w/ DLSS Quality)
03:39 - Cyberpunk In Game (4K, RT Ultra Preset)
04:33 - Forza Horizon 5 Race (4K, Extreme Preset)
05:26 - Cyberpunk Benchmark (1080p, RT Ultra Preset)
06:15 - Cyberpunk In Game (1080p, RT Ultra Preset)
06:53 - Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (Old Footage, Various settings)
08:35 - Closing Thoughts

[brandontyler]

The problem that I have with this test is that you have 32gb in dual channel. But you are running the 16 gb in single channel. That could explain the differences in the 1% lows

[MirelRC]

My short answer: No.
My long answer:

It depends on what you do, what games you play, and what software you use.

For older AAA games, some eSports titles, and some well-optimized new AAA games, 16 GB is still enough.
An example of a poor optimized game that becomes unplayable with 16GB RAM is Warzone 2.0.

But at the price, 32GB is selling, it is dumb af to build with only 16GB.

[CamaroWarrior]

I have a Ryzen 5800x, 32GB cl16, and rtx 3090 ... I've played games where my PC used up to 24GB of system ram

[JamesSmith-swnk]

Good video. Ram is very cheap these days. Just put in 32gb. I got a 64gb 3200 kit for $99 Cdn on sale, not the best gaming ram but it's great for an office pc.

[DBluDreamConsciousness]

i've noticed 32gb ram makes my games smoother in gameplay so I had to upgrade from 16gb.

[adomingues]

RAM is not just quantity. It's a mix between the CPU cache quantity, the quantity of ram, the type of memory (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) and platform, and speed timmings of it. I've noticed a few games that were having some slight micro stutterings with 16GB DDR4 3600mhz CL18, and my 5600x, but when i got my 5700x3d with more cache (and my memory finaly works at CL16-16-16), that stuttering is all gone in all games i've tested. So it's not just quantity... for example if you go from a 16gb 3600CL16-16-16 to a 32gb 18-19-19 with a 5600x, you are probably having less performance, not an upgrade...

[arch]

If the game uses more than 16gb ram the devs are bad

[cmoneytheman]

More RAM helps with stutter fixing. I noticed that years ago, when comparing 4 to 8 on videos, I didn't know why people thought RAM would mean more fps. Im upgrading from 8 and have been using it for like 4 years. Its best to get used. I get all my parts cheap and in good condition.

[MrFreeman]

there is also difference in performance if you have 4x8GB or 2x16GB with the 32GB one, so is 4x4GB or 2x8GB with 16GB, if you tested 2x8GB and 4x8GB then there is for sure gonna be bigger difference. try 2x16GB vs 4x8GB.

[jotabe]

well... to be fair i was of the idea that games would still run just fine with 16gb. Maybe the system needs to be exclusively used for gaming (no stream, no gaming comunication software, just plain games)
i was of that idea since i rocked an Fx8350 w/16gb DDR3 1866mhz w/Rx 580 up until february 2024 and no game was unplayable by any means...

Then i upgraded to a Ryzen 5 1600 w/32gb (only temporary) and 2 months later the R5 1600 was upgraded to an R7 5700x all of that while keeping the GPU since that upgrade will be next year. A few days ago i upgraded 32 to 64gb, just because it was cheap to do so... (BTW 1080p 64hz screen)

Even with an upgraded GPU, my rig by no means the best of the best. AM4 is a still relevant but aging platform.

Given the spare ram i started to leave my browsers often, i started to feel relaxed with it... and the other day i was playing Eve online with a couple (maybe 8) browser tabs, and when i opened task manager the ram usage was at 21gb. It was shocking for me to see that, In fact my Fx8350 remained as sec. build, and i already managed to get extra 16gb of ram to improve the rig.

If you can... go 32gb, i'm pretty shure your system will manage mostly ok with 16, but you are giving up a little bit of performance without even noticing it

[Kizzster]

16gb DDR5 for gaming is fine. Random people on the internet love making stuff up in reddit posts and so on

[natel]

You need to test using 2nd monitor playing youtube or something going on the 2nd monitor.

[Danny-extj]

Was wondering if you could help me out.

How significant(%) will it be if I upgrade my 2x8gb(Cl19, 2666Mhz) to 2x16gb(CL16, 3600Mhz).

Using R5 5600x and 4070super on MSI X570 tomahawk max wifi, 650Watts psu.

I upgraded 1080 ti to 4070 super (I did DDU, nvidia driver update, bios update etc...)
Battlefield V saw increase from ~70fps to ~85fps on ultra (DX11, Frame rendering on) did try dx12 with dlss but bad stuttering.
Helldivers 2 saw increase from ~55fps to ~60fps regardless of setting, using optimized setting by BenchmarKing, cpu 80-95%, gpu 50-60%.
God of war saw increase from ~70fps to ~90fps regardless of setting. cpu 80-90%, gpu only ~50%.
Ghost of Tsushima(only 4070 Super), dlaa and FG saw fps around 120-130, no stuttering. FG off and DLAA gives me 85fps. cpu ~30%, gpu ~95%

[benoitnadeau]

First time i ran ARK Ascended, i have overflow my 32GB.

[reviewforthetube]

What people dont get to see here is. The textures, pop in, softening and even artifacts. The ram does allow for tectures to load in better when moving. Peoppe think its all on the vram and its not true! With my eyes i notice it. I even had it happen on wukong today with a freinds 16gb changed to 32 no more graphical issues. Just saying!

Its not just about fps lol.

Its also about the game you test and how its utilizing it. Its why some devs recdomend more some less even if one uses more they may have developed it to rely on ram and apread out ram usage more across vram and ram.

[epicro]

Honestly you have the best budget gamer vids that I have ever seen you remind me of Linus in his prime that is 11 years ago ❤
Much love keep up the brilliant work.

[Ripperx]

So for me to upgrade to 32 g-skill ram is 35 dollars. I think I will make the investment. The whole system will be smoother for everything I do.

[amarupsyn]

i vaguely recall gamers nexus testing two vs. four sticks of the same total amount of ram, but can't remember whether this made a more than negligible difference - i think that there was more variation between single and dual rank kits (which was also small enough it made no 'real world' difference iirc)

[Dave]

Just building a new system got two 32gb sticks for this new PC 👍

[lilv]

I feel like these games your playing are using way more ram than they use for me. I know you have the settings maxed out but I typically do the same and I never see ram usage quite that high