Why 32GB of RAM Should Be the New Standard for Gaming PCs

Patrick_Yu

PC gaming has changed a lot in the last few years. Modern games demand more from your system than ever before. Developers now build larger, more detailed worlds. Ray tracing, massive open worlds, and high-resolution textures are common even in mid-tier games. Because of these changes, 32GB of RAM should now be considered the standard for any serious gaming PC.

What is RAM?

RAM, short for Random Access Memory, is a part of your computer that stores data your system needs to access quickly. Unlike a hard drive or SSD, RAM only holds data while your computer is turned on. Once you shut down, it clears out and resets.

There are several types of RAM, with DDR (Double Data Rate) being the most common. Today, most systems use either DDR4 or the newer DDR5 memory. Here’s a basic breakdown:

• DDR4: Reliable and still widely used, but slower compared to newer options.
• DDR5: Faster speeds, higher bandwidth, and better efficiency. Ideal for gaming PCs being built or upgraded today.

Upgrading to DDR5 provides better loading times, smoother gameplay, and better performance when multitasking or running heavy applications.

Why is RAM important for your pc and gaming?

RAM plays a key role in how well your PC handles games and programs. It works by keeping important data ready for your CPU and GPU. When you are gaming, RAM loads textures, models, sounds, and other assets that the system needs fast.

Not having enough RAM can cause several problems:

• Slower load times: Games may take longer to load levels or menus.
• Performance drops: Frame rates may dip during busy scenes.
• Stuttering: Games can freeze for short periods while the system tries to grab needed files.
• System slowdowns: Background programs, like Discord and browsers, can start to drag your whole system down if RAM runs out.

RAM is the bridge that keeps your processor and graphics card working at full speed without having to pull data from slower storage drives.

What happens during a game if you don't have enough RAM?

If you are playing a demanding game and do not have enough RAM, your system struggles. Windows will try to offload data to the page file, which is part of your SSD or hard drive. But no matter how fast your storage is, it is still much slower than RAM.

Here is what you might experience:

• Frame stutter and spikes: The game struggles to load textures and assets quickly enough, leading to uneven frame pacing and sudden dips in performance.
• Longer load times: Levels and textures load more slowly, sometimes mid-game, breaking immersion.
• System slowdown: Windows moves less critical tasks into the much slower page file (stored on your SSD), causing massive performance drops when you alt-tab or try multitasking.

In heavy games like Hogwarts Legacy or The Last of Us Part I, running with just 16GB of RAM often leads to traversal stutter, asset pop-ins, and an overall less polished gaming experience.

What drove the increase in RAM use for games?

Games today use more RAM than they used to for several reasons. Game engines like Unreal Engine 5 introduce new technology that loads more detailed models and lighting. Developers are designing bigger, richer game worlds, and they expect players to have stronger systems.

Some of the key drivers include:

• Unreal Engine 5 features: Games built with Unreal Engine 5, such as Marvel Rivals, now use complex technologies like Nanite and Lumen, both of which are extremely RAM-intensive.
• Ray tracing: Advanced lighting and reflection techniques load heavy assets into memory, requiring more system resources even on medium settings.
• Higher resolution textures: 4K textures and large open-world assets need extra space.
• Background multitasking: Gamers today often stream, run Discord, and watch videos while gaming, all of which eat into available RAM.
• Less optimization: Modern games often assume players have ample resources, leading developers to set higher minimum requirements without as much optimization.

Games like Hogwarts Legacy, Marvel Rivals, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are clear examples where 16GB of RAM is no longer enough for a smooth experience at high settings.

Why 32gb should be the new standard

Based on testing across many modern titles, 32GB of RAM offers a big advantage without being wasteful. It prepares you for current AAA games and the next few years of new releases without breaking the bank.

Here are the reasons why 32GB makes sense:

• Headroom for today and tomorrow: While 16GB can still "technically" run many games today, it’s often barely enough, especially as titles like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Hogwarts Legacy eat 20GB+ when background tasks are included.
  Performance gains: Testing shows that upgrading from 16GB to 32GB can yield tangible benefits. In Marvel Rivals, framerate improved by around 40% just by moving to 32GB RAM. Even older engines like Helldivers 2 showed gains.
• Affordable pricing: DDR5 memory prices have fallen sharply. A good 32GB DDR5-6000 kit can be found for just $75–90 USD, barely 25% more than 16GB kits but offering double the capacity.
• Better multitasking: If you’re running Discord, Chrome, OBS, or background apps while gaming, 32GB prevents slowdowns caused by page file swapping.
• Future-proofing: With developers pushing tech boundaries and Unreal Engine 5 becoming more common, having 32GB ensures your system won't choke on future releases.

Right now, a 16GB setup will still run many games fine, but headroom is tight. New releases will only push memory needs higher. Upgrading to 32GB ensures that your gaming experience stays smooth today and tomorrow.

Final thoughts

For anyone building or upgrading a gaming PC in 2025 and beyond, 32GB of DDR5 RAM should be seen as the standard, not an optional luxury. With modern games demanding more, and memory prices so reasonable, it’s a smart move that will keep your rig performing smoothly for years to come.