Minimum RAM requirements to game on your laptop in 2022
If you’re buying a new laptop and are confused about the RAM you need; don’t worry, you’re not the only one. The ‘minimum RAM requirement’ is something that changes every few months. You must have noticed the number going up steadily. Games, Apps and even Windows has its RAM requirement, which seems to be going up after updates. And that makes it all the more confusing, gaming laptops these days start from 8 GB RAM in their most basic configs, and go upto like 64 GB. Of course, the higher you go up the more it’ll cost.
So, choosing the best config isn’t that easy. Stick around and find out what the minimum RAM should be in your gaming laptop in 2022. Take a look at what we have planned:
Why is RAM important?
Introduction
You must be familiar with the concept of RAM and how it works. But if you aren’t, this section is for you. To put it into simple words; RAM is your Primary Memory, this contains your active tasks and processes. Unlike your SSD; the Secondary Storage, that contains all your files, games and Windows. You might be wondering why my laptop doesn’t use the SSD for that. The thing is that your system processes need a data stream constantly.
And for that your Harddrives would prove to be super inefficient as it takes a relatively long time to retrieve data from this ‘secondary storage’. To keep everything running quick and snappy; your system stores some data and processes in the Random Access Memory for quickly retrieving the necessary information that needs to be displayed on the screen.
Importance of a decent RAM
Without a decent amount of RAM, your system will not have the space to store the necessary data and tasks for quick access. This would result in a slow, jittery and laggy experience with not just your games, but even Windows. The processes will queue up and it would become a total nightmare. It works pretty much like an actual queue.
So, in order to make your laptop, and its processes run smoothly; you need to have a RAM that’s bigger than the minimum required one.
So, always make sure that your RAM is as much or bigger than the required RAM of the software you’re trying to run. This will make sure that a single process isn’t taking up all of your RAM. But what about gaming? Why does RAM matter in gaming?
Why does RAM matter in Gaming?
RAM is one of three things that matter the most to gaming. Your game is stored on your Hard Drive or SSD. Once you launch your game; the system loads your game on the RAM and runs it. So, a big RAM is crucial for your smooth gaming experience. Once your game starts running, it keeps pulling the required objects, variables, textures and all kinds of game stuff from your SSD and into your RAM.
If your RAM capacity isn’t enough; the system would not be able to load the required files on your RAM and your game would lag or, worse; crash. Suffice to say, the RAM dictates the kind of gameplay you’re going to experience.
Remember when we said there are three things that matter the most to gaming? Well the other two are the CPU and the GPU; technically the VRAM. You should know that the VRAM and RAM aren’t the same thing.
Difference between VRAM and RAM
VRAM stands for Video Random Access Memory. And as the name suggests, VRAM is your GPU’s RAM that stores all the image and video data required to run your game smoothly. RAM is somewhat of a general memory for the system’s processes. The VRAM, however, is specifically used to store tasks that help process graphics. It depends on your laptop whether your VRAM is dedicated or shared. A shared one uses a portion of the actual RAM.
A dedicated one is an independent GPU that allows you to play AAA titles. You can’t really play games without a dedicated GPU. The MSI GF65 for instance has a dedicated Nvidia RTX 3060 that has 6GB GDDR6 of VRAM. This allows it to run the latest AAA titles like the GTA V and the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
What is the minimum amount of RAM your gaming laptop needs?
This is something that is completely dependent on the game developer’s requirements. Every game has a minimum specifications list. This list contains the bare minimum specifications your machine needs to have in order to run that particular game. You need to check that list and make sure that you at least have the required memory. It is better to have a bigger RAM than your game’s requirements.
This is to allow your background processes to run smoothly. For instance, the GTA V takes almost 7 gigs of your RAM when running on max settings, this leaves like less than 1 GB of RAM for the processes running in the background. This isn’t the end of the world as your game won’t be affected. But this will bottleneck your gaming laptop, and if you don’t want that to happen you should consider a bigger RAM.
Not only do your games have a minimum specifications list, but Windows does as well. For Windows 10, Microsoft requires at least 2 GB of RAM. That isn’t massive but add on some apps and bloatware and the number is bound to rise up fairly quickly. Considering all the modern applications and operating systems; TechyWired recommends a minimum of 8 GB RAM for your gaming laptop.
An interesting FactDid you know there are primarily 3 types of RAMs SRAM, DRAM and SDRAM.
But is 8 GB RAM enough for modern games?
We know that 8 gigs of RAM is enough for day to day tasks, but is it enough to run all your latest AAA titles with ease? Well let’s see. Here is a list of modern titles and their minimum RAM requirements:
| Title of Games | Minimum RAM |
| GTA V | 4 GB |
| Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | 8 GB |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 8 GB |
| The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 6 GB |
| Fortnite | 4 GB |
| Hitman 3 | 8 GB |
As you can probably see from our chart; 8 GB is the minimum requirement for most major titles. But that doesn’t mean you can’t run these games. With 8 gigs you can easily run these games, but of course the rest of your processes would queue up.
If you’re looking to game on a budget, 8 GB of RAM is enough for your gaming laptop. But, if you want to future proof your laptop and have that extra bit of smoothness; we recommend doubling up. We’ve created different scenarios and the amount of RAM you’ll need for them, take a look:
How much RAM do I personally need?
Day to day tasks
If you’re not much of a gamer and usually just do basic office work on your laptop you probably don’t need a lot of RAM. Your day to day tasks like Microsoft Office and other productivity apps barely need 4 GB of RAM. Browsers are something that utilize a large portion of your RAM, but they work according to your RAM’s capacity. They’ll only utilize a certain percentage. So, for your day to day tasks; the minimum amount of RAM you need is 4 GB. TechyWired recommends going for 8 GB if you want to multitask.
Programming
If you’re a coder and you run editors like Visual Studio etc., on your gaming laptop, you would probably need a minimum of 4 GB RAM. But, for certain VS libraries you should go for 8 GB RAM to run everything smoothly.
Entertainment
We’ve already talked about gaming so that leaves movies in the entertainment section. Again, you don’t need a lot of RAM for this. Apps like Netflix would barely require 4 GB of RAM. If you’re watching a 4K movie you’d probably require more RAM but 4 GB is enough in our professional opinion.
So, by now you must have figured out the minimum amount of RAM you need for your particular needs. But are there other RAM specifications that matter?
Other RAM specifications that matter
DDR version
You might have heard this term a lot, usually with a number like DDR3 or DDR4. DDR stands for Double Data Rate and to put it into simple terms; it essentially defines the transfer rate of the RAM. You should always go for the latest DDR version when choosing your RAM. It works pretty much like the generations of your CPU, the generation dictates the efficiency and speed.
These days DDR4 is the industry standard and the latest that is available in the market. So, go for DDR4 RAM. Another thing to keep under consideration here is the compatibility. Your motherboard will only run a certain DDR version of RAM, meaning that a DDR3 compatible laptop cannot run a DDR4 RAM. Keep that in mind before upgrading your RAM.
Clock Speed
Just like your CPU, the RAM also runs at a specific clock speed. But unlike the CPU, RAM runs at a much slower speed. To put it into perspective, RAM speeds are measured in MegaHertz (MHz), whereas processor speeds are measured in GigaHertz (GHz).
You can expect your RAM to run anywhere between 2133MHz to 4800MHz. But, realistically, most gaming laptops have either 2133MHz RAM or 3200MHz RAM. And both will do just fine. Just don’t choose anything below 2133MHz, or you’ll start to notice some lag.
Armed with all this RAM information, you’re ready to choose your laptop. Here are a few TechyWired picks of top gaming laptops that have an 8 GB RAM:
HP Diet 16t-d000
Key Points
- Intel Core i7-11800H
- Nvidia RTX 3050 6GB
- 8 GB DDR4 3200MHz
Buy from here
Buy Now: $1299
Dell G15
Key Points
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
- Nvidia RTX 3050 6GB
- 8 GB DDR4 3200MHz
Buy from here
Buy Now: $779
MSI GF65
Key Points
- Intel Core i5-10500H
- Nvidia RTX 3060 6GB
- 8 GB DDR4 3200MHz
Buy from here
Buy Now: $1099.99
Conclusion
The minimum RAM requirements for games change quite frequently, especially if you want to play the latest and the greatest titles. We’ve gone over the requirements for a lot of games and from what we’ve seen, most of them require 8 GB and less in most cases. So, if you’re looking for a budget laptop, you can, without hesitation, go for something that has an 8 GB RAM. RAM is not the biggest factor when it comes to gaming, but rather things like the GPU and the CPU matter much more. If you’re not on a budget, we recommend going for 16 GB of RAM. This will future proof your gaming laptop to some extent and you won’t have to worry about checking the minimum requirements for games again and again. So, in TechyWired’s opinion, 8 GB RAM is enough for a gaming laptop!
FAQs
Is DDR5 RAM available yet?/What is the latest DDR version?
DDR5 was planned to hit the market in mid 2021 but it didn’t. At this moment, the latest RAM available on the market is DDR4. DDR5 aims to double the speed of its previous version once it goes into commercial level production.
What is dual channel memory?
Dual Channel Memory means that you can plug more than one ram into your laptop or desktop. This means instead of one memory stick, you can run two. This makes upgrading RAM much easier.
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FAQs
Is 8GB RAM enough for gaming laptops? - Techywired? ›
8GB RAM is the minimum required to play most games on laptop. For the casual gamer it may be more than enough to meet your individual requirements, however as visuals and graphics cards are becoming more and more advanced, higher RAM capabilities are becoming more recommended.
Is 8GB of RAM enough for gaming laptop? ›With 8GB RAM, you will be able to play most released games without many problems, but some games might not play at the highest quality, and you might have to shut down other applications.
How much RAM do you really need in a gaming laptop? ›Most games recommend 16GB of memory for speedy, high-performance play. Having this much RAM in your computer will allow you to change what games you play, and to avoid issues with lag and stuttering. At an absolute minimum 8GB is usually a good starting point for most games.
Is 8GB RAM enough for laptop 2023? ›For casual computer users, 8GB of RAM is the recommended amount of memory. This amount of memory ought to be adequate if your usage involves multitasking, internet browsing, email, numerous office programs, flash games, and other similar activities.
Is 8GB RAM outdated? ›In a word, 8GB RAM is fine for those who stick to basic productivity, or those who aren't playing modern games. But if you plan on running something memory intensive and doing another task at the same time, you could end up exceeding your limit.
What is the performance difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM? ›To be honest, there's not a lot of difference between 8GB and 16 GB of RAM. If you're doing office work and more basic games, then you really won't notice a massive difference between the two. However, if you're wanting to do video editing, play the very latest high-end games you'll definitely need more…
Is there a big difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM? ›The increased capacity that 16GB of RAM provides over 8GB makes it the clear winner. 8GB of RAM may be suitable for basic functions, but it quickly seizes up when multiple programs try to operate at the same time. You might not always need 16GB of RAM but you'll be happy to have it when push comes to shove.
Do gaming laptops need 8 or 16 RAM? ›16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.
How much RAM is overkill for a laptop? ›32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.
Do I need 8GB or 16GB RAM? ›Generally, we recommend 8GB of RAM for casual computer usage and internet browsing, 16GB for spreadsheets and other office programs, and at least 32GB for gamers and multimedia creators.
Is 8GB RAM enough for Python programming? ›
For many developers, 8GB of RAM is plenty for coding. However, for those frequently using multiple programming languages and software development tools simultaneously, 16GB of RAM may be more than they need.
What is the lifespan of 8GB RAM? ›Generally, you could last around 8 to 12 years before needing an upgrade but that is only if you want to play the latest games without consuming too much memory.
Is 8GB of RAM future proof? ›8GB RAM is enough for basic use, but 16GB is far more future-proof. And whether you use a PC or Apple laptop, if you're going to edit photos and videos, you'll want at least 16GB of RAM. Editing software uses a lot of RAM; if you only have 8GB, your computer may freeze up or crash.
Is 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD enough? ›Is 8GB Ram & 512GB SSD Enough For Gaming? Yes, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD is enough for gaming. However, while many games state that they can be smoothly run with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD, this is not always the case. For example GTA V will require close to 16GB RAM to optimally run at moderate settings.
Is 8GB RAM sufficient for Windows 11? ›If you're a light user, browsing the web, emailing, and editing documents, then 4GB may suffice. But it will definitely feel laggy. Increasing this to 6 or 8GB of RAM will not only give you a much better experience, but also allow you to do more with your system.
Why 8GB RAM is not enough? ›You may also experience problems with loading large files or running high-performance applications, such as video games or 3D modelling software. These programs may require more RAM to run smoothly, and with 8GB of RAM, your computer could struggle to keep up.
Is 8GB RAM enough for next 5 years? ›One of the most common questions we get asked is “how do I know if my computer needs more memory?” The answer is actually pretty simple. If you're using a PC that was released in the last five years or so, chances are it comes with 8GB of RAM – which is more than enough for most people.
Does going from 8GB RAM to 16GB increase FPS? ›If you already have a decent amount of RAM (say, 16GB), adding more RAM will probably not increase your FPS in most games and scenarios as there still aren't very many games that utilize more than 16GB of memory.
Is 8GB better than 16GB non gaming? ›Key takeaway: Opt for 8GB of RAM if you want decent performance on less demanding titles, but go for 16GB if you want to play the latest and most resource intensive hits. If you want to do things like stream to Twitch, we'd recommend opting for the 32GB options offered on many gaming PCs.
Is 8 GB RAM overkill? ›The more RAM you have, the more data your computer can access quickly, improving its overall performance. 32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough.
How much RAM does Windows 11 use? ›
On average, Windows 11 uses about 4 GB of RAM.
However, if you have a lot of programs running at the same time, or if you are using resource-intensive programs, your computer will allocate more resources and up the RAM usage.
What is considered good memory for business laptops? Since most businesses only require essential office-work functions such as web browsing, emailing and drafting documents, 8GB of RAM is enough for most users. If you often run multiple programs and execute numerous tasks at once, then you might need 16GB or more.
How much SSD do I need for gaming? ›How much SSD storage do I need for gaming? With games' installation size taking up more storage than ever, we recommend getting an SSD with a storage capacity of at least 500GB. Of course, this is budget-dependent, but by choosing more capacity, you'll be less likely to need to upgrade in the future.
Do you ever need more than 16GB of RAM for gaming? ›Gaming PCs often require a minimum of 8GB of RAM. Very rarely do gaming builds need more than 8GB or 16GB, so either choice is reliable. However, 8GB should be the minimum for most gamers. Anything lower, and you'll undoubtedly run into quite a few problems and issues.
Is 16GB RAM overkill for laptop? ›For typical light PC use - web browsing, office apps, etc - yes, massively overkill. 8GB of RAM or less is more than sufficient for that sort of thing.
Does RAM improve FPS? ›RAM can improve frame rates and frame pacing when playing games. Check both capacity and speed when choosing RAM. Know the difference between form factors like DIMM and SO-DIMM. Get at least 16GB of RAM to play modern games, and more if you multitask.
Is 1 TB RAM overkill? ›On most systems, RAM is one of the worst limiting factors when running virtual machines. With 1TB of RAM, this is no longer a concern. That much RAM lets you spin up dozens of virtual systems without impacting overall system performance.
What are the disadvantages of increasing RAM size? ›Adding too much RAM will eventually jeopardize the computer's performance, even when you have enough of it. The additional RAM will start applying the law of diminishing returns at a certain point, meaning you won't get much value from it.
How to upgrade RAM from 8gb to 16GB? ›To go from 8 GB RAM to 16 GB. You will have to actually purchase COMPATIBLE 16 GB sticks of RAM then install them. Dell Inspiron might have more information on what kind of RAM is compatible with your PC. Getting more RAM is not a simple troubleshooting fix and if you are on a laptop, it might be impossible.
Do I really need 16GB? ›In summary, 16GB of RAM is what I consider the sweet spot for how much memory you should have in your computer. That amount of RAM will allow you to perform everyday computing tasks and play demanding games without a problem. 16GB of RAM also won't cost as much as 32GB or 64GB of memory.
What is the highest RAM for a laptop? ›
Right now, there are no laptops that can house more than 128GB of RAM; at least not “traditional” laptops. That's because at the time of writing, there are no DDR5 memory modules (so called SODIMM) with 64GB capacities, the current ceiling being 32GB.
Is 8GB RAM enough for full stack developer? ›So, then is 8GB of RAM good for coding? Well, it's definitely a lot better than 4GBs. If you are on a tight budget, 8GB should be enough to do most programming tasks. You should be able to run a few applications like Spotify, have a few browser tabs open, and a lightweight text editor as mentioned above.
Is 8GB RAM fine for coding? ›Yes, 8GB RAM is generally enough for most programming tasks. However, to be truly sure how much RAM you need for programming, you need to establish the kind of programming you will be using your computer for. Computer specifications are not the same for all fields of programming.
Is 8GB RAM enough for engineering students? ›8 GB of RAM is a minimum; 16GB of RAM is preferred for engineering students.
Is 8GB RAM and 256gb SSD enough? ›An SSD is non-volatile and permanently saves data, whereas RAM is a compressed sort of memory. This implies that the SSD saves data even while it is off, whereas the RAM needs to be refreshed continuously. A256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM is enough for a computer.
How much RAM does Windows 11 need to run smoothly? ›Memory: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater. Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space. There might be more storage requirements over time for updates, and to enable specific features within the OS. For more information, see Windows 11 specifications.
Is 16gb RAM obsolete? ›16 GB is more than what you normally need. For normal office and home use, you need a maximum RAM of 8 GB. Beyond that you can observe maximum performance boost of 5–7%. Unless you are into gaming, you don't even need 16 GB.
How much RAM do you realistically need? ›| Workload / Task | Minimum RAM Requirement | Recommended RAM Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Everyday Use | 4-8GB | 16GB |
| Video Editing | 8-16GB | 64GB |
| Graphic Design | 8-16GB | 32GB |
| Motion Design | 8-16GB | 64GB |
16GB of RAM is the best place to start for a gaming PC. Although 8GB was enough for many years, new AAA PC games like Cyberpunk 2077 have an 8GB of RAM requirement, though up to 16GB is recommended. Few games, even the latest ones, will actually take advantage of a full 16GB of RAM.
What will happen if RAM is full? ›If RAM fills up, the computer's processor must repeatedly go to the hard disk to overlay the old data in RAM with new data. This process slows the computer's operation. A computer's hard disk can become completely full of data and unable to take any more, but RAM won't run out of memory.
Should I get more SSD or more RAM? ›
By adding more memory, your slow computer that struggles to perform multiple tasks at once will experience faster recall speeds. Upgrading your storage is the best solution if your computer still has an HDD, as most computers now come with an SSD due to the clear performance benefits.
Should I get SSD or more RAM? ›SSD vs.
RAM is usually the better option. It can increase both the type of programs you can run and the number of them that you can run simultaneously. But this only makes sense if your computer is currently low on RAM. If you already have a lot, adding more isn't going to make a big difference.
As our test results show, installing a SSD and the maximum RAM will considerably speed up even an ageing notebook: the SSD provides a substantial performance boost, and adding RAM will get the most out of the system.
How good is 8GB RAM for gaming? ›8GB of RAM is the minimum amount of RAM for any gaming PC. With 8GB RAM, you will be able to play most released games without many problems, but some games might not play at the highest quality, and you might have to shut down other applications.
Is 8GB RAM enough for Windows 10 64 bit? ›2GB of RAM is the minimum system requirement for the 64-bit version of Windows 10.
Is 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD enough for Windows 11? ›But if you want to run some large programs like games, video editing programs, picture editing programs, etc., 256GB SSD can't meet your need. For Windows 11, things have changed, and Microsoft has increased the minimum to 4GB.
Is 8GB RAM enough for laptop in 2023? ›Answer: Yes 8GB RAM is enough to run basic software and games in Windows 11.
How do I know if my laptop needs more RAM? ›- Files don't open immediately, or programs are slow to load. ...
- You receive a memory error message or your computer is using 80 percent or more of its memory. ...
- You are unable to run multiple programs at the same time.
It means that the configuration of windows has been capped to see, or use only a set amount of physical memory in it`s configuration settings. To check if the memory windows uses is capped. Click on start. In the search bar type : MSCONFIG.
Is 32 GB RAM too much? ›32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.
Is 128 GB RAM overkill? ›
The amount of RAM you need will ultimately depend on your workload. Unless you're editing 8K resolution videos or planning to work with multiple RAM-demanding programs simultaneously, 128 GB is overkill for most users as well.
Is 8 GB RAM enough for Windows 11? ›If you're a light user, browsing the web, emailing, and editing documents, then 4GB may suffice. But it will definitely feel laggy. Increasing this to 6 or 8GB of RAM will not only give you a much better experience, but also allow you to do more with your system.
Is 8GB a lot of memory for a laptop? ›Work: 8GB of RAM is fine for daily productivity. If you do a lot of processing, consider upgrading to 16GB or more. Gaming: With games demanding more on computer systems, 16GB to 32GB of RAM is ideal.
Does 8GB RAM increase FPS? ›On the flip side, if you have a low amount of memory (say, 4GB-8GB), adding more RAM will increase your FPS in games that utilize more RAM than you previously had.
Is upgrading from 8 to 16 GB RAM worth it? ›YES, upgrading your RAM causes a significant performance boost in your PC. If you are a streamer, gamer, or power user, upgrading your RAM from 8GB to 16GB is worth it. Having more RAM will allow you to have more programs open simultaneously and run them faster.
How much RAM is considered high end? ›8GB: Typically installed in entry-level notebooks. This is fine for basic Windows gaming at lower settings, but rapidly runs out of steam. 16GB: Excellent for Windows and MacOS systems and also good for gaming, especially if it is fast RAM. 32GB: This is the sweet spot for professionals.