Needing more than 8GB RAM?

[Alir]

Do I need more than 8GB RAM? I am asking in reference to 21:9 gaming, max 3440x1440 60fps or 2560x1080 160Hz - those are the most extreme graphical settings I'll be going at.

 

My games can vary. Currently I'm playing through AC series, starting with 1. Besides that, I play classics and new games as well. Through from Bioshock to possibly Battlefield 1.

 

As I understand, increased graphical demand only increases tax on the GPU and the CPU? Is this true or am I mistaken?

 

My RAM and the RAM I'll be purchasing:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HyperX-FURY-DDR3-Memory-Module/dp/B00J8E90I2/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1479774211&sr=1-6&keywords=8gb+ram

 

I do also use Virtual Machines - quite a lot and my usage will only be increasing. I'll be deciding how much I'll be using separately but I first want to know whether 8GB is still enough or if I should be going up to 16gb - might go for 24GB total (a new 16GB - 2x8GB) if the sticks are on sale over or after Christmas.

[Metallus97]

For gaming 8GB is mostly fine but with VMs

simply get the 16GB and you're fine 

[shadowbyte]

tbh, 8gb just isn't enough anymore

I noticed significant reduction in stutter and general experience improvements after I upgraded to 16gb

also, I'm a chrome user

[Metallus97]

2 minutes ago, shadowbyte said:

tbh, 8gb just isn't enough anymore

I noticed significant reduction in stutter and general experience improvements after I upgraded to 16gb

also, I'm a chrome user

Chrome

 

well yeha depends on how much you have running in the background.

when I game usually there is nothing running in background. Then I am fine.

 

 

But considering he uses VMs anny more words about 8vs16 are pointless  

 

-> Get 16GB

[Just Monika]

I suggest using a monitoring tool such as HWInfo to monitor to get an idea of how much of your 8GB RAM you actually use. If your usage easily approaches its limits, or gets higher than you're comfortable with, then you can feel confident about going ahead and upgrading. This way, you get an impartial opinion of whether or not you really need to upgrade.

[xephoneration]

7 minutes ago, Metallus97 said:

Chrome

 

well yeha depends on how much you have running in the background.

when I game usually there is nothing running in background. Then I am fine.

 

 

But considering he uses VMs anny more words about 8vs16 are pointless  

 

-> Get 16GB

actually no... some games do require now 8gb or more ram. so the standard is 8gb and for gaming it is 16gb. plus if he is doing virtual machines, and from the sound of it multiple, you are gonna want more ram. 

[Metallus97]

Just now, xephoneration said:

actually no... some games do require now 8gb or more ram. so the standard is 8gb and for gaming it is 16gb. plus if he is doing virtual machines, and from the sound of it multiple, you are gonna want more ram. 

Wich Games need more than 8GB?

 

and yep 16GB is standard now but at least my PC works with the 8GB

 

(ok Christmas time... I will get 16GB soon xd)

[Velvet Revolver]

you need 16gb of ram at a minimum and vm's youd need more obviously

go for a 2x8gb set so you can easily upgrade to 32gb when needed. always go for dual channel

[xephoneration]

4 minutes ago, Metallus97 said:

Wich Games need more than 8GB?

 

and yep 16GB is standard now but at least my PC works with the 8GB

 

(ok Christmas time... I will get 16GB soon xd)

• Dying Light: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Grand Theft Auto V: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• The Witcher 3: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Batman: Arkham Knight: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended, 12GB required for smooth gameplay on Windows 10 (source)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Far Cry Primal: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• The Division: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Hitman: 8GB minimum and recommended
• Quantum Break: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended (source)
• Just Cause 3:  8GB minimum, 16 recommended 

[Metallus97]

12 minutes ago, xephoneration said:

• Dying Light: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Grand Theft Auto V: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• The Witcher 3: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Batman: Arkham Knight: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended, 12GB required for smooth gameplay on Windows 10 (source)
• Rise of the Tomb Raider: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Far Cry Primal: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• The Division: 6GB minimum, 8GB recommended
• Hitman: 8GB minimum and recommended
• Quantum Break: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended (source)
• Just Cause 3:  8GB minimum, 16 recommended 

Hmmm. Ok

well it's clear that 16GB is standard now but yeha did not know so manny games did have the 16 gb in their system requirements 

[Alir]

Thanks for the tip guys!

But does gaming at a higher resolution or graphical quality increase the memory requirements?

 

Newbie Q: I currently have 2x 4GB RAM. I am thinking of buying 2x8GB RAM. I I'd have 24GB in total. 2 4GB and 2 8GB. Is this a bad idea/ incompatible?

[nerd866]

One recent case has stood out to me as an example where having 16+ GB of RAM has been very beneficial:

7 Days To Die.

 

The client has used as much as 12GB. I'm also running a dedicated server on the same machine, which can get up into the 3-4GB. Between the 2, I'm using a solid 16 GB at peak. I'm doing this on a machine with 64 GB so it's not an issue but it's an observation that may be worth sharing here - Cases where you'll be running a dedicated server to play with friends, especially in voxel-type games, are cases where butt-tons of RAM (specifically 24-32 GB. My 64 GB is for workstation purposes. I'd never put that in a gaming rig!) will be a great idea.