Is 32GB DDR5 Overkill for Casual Gaming?

[lindamary]

I’m currently spec-ing out a mid-range PC and I can’t decide if I should stick with 16GB or jump straight to 32gb ddr5. Most of the benchmarks I see show that 16GB is fine for current titles, but with background apps like Discord and Chrome open, I’m seeing high usage.

Would investing in 32gb ddr5 now be better for "future-proofing," or is the speed of the memory more important than the capacity? I’d love to hear from anyone who upgraded and noticed a real-world difference in 1% low frame rates or system responsiveness.

 

[Zmadislynd]

32gb ddr5 is basically the new 16GB. Now, when you are constructing a new platform, you have zero reasons to cripple your system with a 16GB only. You will use more time closing the Chrome than playing the game.

 

[AngelinaFi]

I have only recently upgraded to 32gb ddr5 and the apparent change was not the peak FPS, but the apparent smoothness. The irritating stutters in open world games were almost eliminated since the system is not continuously swapping data to the page file.

 

[ArthurMex]

Is it overkill? Maybe so as far as purely casual gaming is concerned. However, the concept of being casual typically entails having 40 tabs open, a stream on the second screen, and Discord minimized. In that case, it is technically 32gb ddr5 that is the bare minimum to have a sane experience.

 

[Evelinawright]

Speed is everything, but power is everything. In case of a RAM shortage, you have no speed since your computer crashes. Simple buy the 32gb ddr5 kit at present and you need not be bothered with matching sticks in another two years.

 

[Gdeathswebscar]

A little of a meme, but already future-proofing is starting to be reached where 16GB is struggling to maintain some ports that are not well optimized. 32gb ddr5 is the sweet spot, where you no longer have to look at your Task Manager every 5 minutes.

 

[Ghausmakin]

To be very honest, when you can spend on mid-range build, you can spend an additional 40 on 32gb ddr5. It is the most economical means to render your PC to feel like a high-end one without purchasing a 4090.

 

[HeatherMun]

I eventually used 16GB in my first PC this year and regretted it a week later. Hogwarts Legacy and Starfield devoured it in a second. Replaced with 32gb ddr5, and eventually no longer received the low memory warnings.

 

[Ggranilel]

Same here. Individuals that claim that 16GB will be sufficient are most likely to be playing 2018 games. Should you be so inclined to play anything new and have Discord open, you will need 32gb ddr5 not a luxury.

 

[Zmadislynd]

It is certainly an excessive in case you are just a Minesweeper and Solitaire player. In all other cases, 32gb ddr5 is simply a matter of standard practice by now. Don't overthink it.

 

[captainghost]

It is then the 1 percent lows that produce the magic. 32gb ddr5 makes frame timing more consistent. It is not about having the power to do more but a little bit less frustration.

 

[jameswill8520]

Still, as of 2024, people are purchasing 16GB kits? That is purchasing a car that has a two-gallon gas tank. Simply get the 32gb ddr5 and save your head in the future.

 

[Lugwig]

I had not felt the need to get it before I realized how Windows 11 was consuming itself. 16GB with OS overheads and background applications leaves virtually no room to the actual game. 32gb ddr5 is the only solution to breathe.

 

[Olivier]

By the way, you should ensure that your motherboard can sustain the speed of the 32gb ddr5 you purchase. High capacity and high speed do not always co-exist well with lower-cost boards, though, 32GB is usually the best choice.

 

[rebeccareed]

I have 16GB and it is okay... provided that I shut down all the other applications on my computer. Shortcuts Multitasking. 32gb ddr5 the move.

 

[Evoky]

Is it more significant than speed? Yes. It is much better to have 32gb ddr5 with a decent speed instead of having 16GB of ultra-fast RAM that performs to its peak as soon as you open a browser window.