Why 32 GB RAM Is Becoming the New Norm for PC Gamers (and How Steam Data Confirms It)

Why 32 GB RAM Is Becoming the New Norm for PC Gamers (and How Steam Data Confirms It)

Computer gaming is undergoing rapid change, and one of the areas that is experiencing the most significant change is system memory. For a number of years, 16 gigabytes of random-access memory (RAM) was thought to be the optimal amount of RAM for gaming, as it was sufficient to handle virtually any game without causing any performance concerns. On the other hand, recent developments, in particular the findings of Steam’s monthly hardware survey, indicate that 32 gigabytes is rapidly becoming the prevalent standard. It should come as no surprise that modern games, operating systems, and habits of multitasking are pushing hardware to its limits in ways that have never been seen before. Here are some of the reasons why more gamers are upgrading to 32 gigabytes, and why you might want to think about doing the same thing.

1. The Hardware Survey Confirms the Shift in Steam’s Hardware

The Hardware & Software Survey conducted by Steam, which gathers information from millions of gamers all over the world, finds that there is an increasing desire for greater memory configurations by users. Systems that are equipped with 32 GB of RAM have slowly gained ground over the course of the past year, despite the fact that 16 GB of RAM still owns a major share. In recent months, 32 GB configurations have accounted for almost one-third of all gaming personal computers, and there are no indications that this trend will slow down. The statistics presented here makes it quite evident that players are upgrading in order to keep up with the ever-increasing system requirements.

2. Memory is a Requirement for Modern Games

In comparison to their predecessors, AAA games of today are far more demanding. There is a need for additional system memory in order to accommodate massive open landscapes, sophisticated graphics, and intricate simulations. When operated at high or ultra settings, games such as Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077, and Alan Wake 2 have the potential to occupy more than 16 gigabytes of storage space. This is especially true when ray tracing and high-resolution textures are enabled. If you have 32 gigabytes of memory, you will experience smoother performance, faster load times, and fewer stutters, even in the games that use the most resources.

3. The ability to multitask is an integral part of the latest gaming experience

There is no longer a one-on-one gaming experience. While they are playing, the majority of gamers typically have applications running in the background, such as Discord, OBS for streaming, web browsers, or system overlays. When the system runs out of accessible random-access memory (RAM), some apps make use of more memory, which can result in slowdowns. Streaming, chatting, and browsing can all be done simultaneously with 32 GB of storage space, and players won’t have to sacrifice frame rates or responsiveness.

4. Windows 11 and processes running in the background draw more memory.

In addition, operating systems have progressed, with more recent versions, such as Windows 11, requiring a greater amount of RAM for the operation of background services and features. Your system’s random access memory (RAM) is used up by features like auto high dynamic range (HDR), live widgets, and background security programs. When playing a game on a computer with 16 gigabytes of RAM, these background operations can leave the game itself with a restricted amount of memory. By upgrading to 32 gigabytes, you will be able to give the operating system and your games more area to breathe and function smoothly.

5. 32 gigabytes of storage space is becoming the norm in new gaming personal computers

The number of prebuilt gaming systems and laptops that come with 32 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM) as standard is growing. In significant part, this move can be attributed to the decreasing cost of DDR5 memory as well as improvements in manufacturing efficiency. The “future-proof” choice is now considered by many manufacturers of hardware to be 32 gigabytes, which enables gamers to keep their systems competitive for several years without having to upgrade again in the near future.

6. The difference in price between 16 GB and 32 GB is steadily decreasing

In the past, doubling your RAM would have required you to pay a significant premium. As a result of the decline in the cost of memory, 32 GB kits are now more inexpensive than they have ever been. When it comes to DDR4 configurations, the price difference between 16 GB and 32 GB configurations is typically quite minimal. However, the performance improvements can be well worth the expenditure for anyone who is serious about gaming or multitasking.

7. The Memory Capacity of Future Games Will Be Increased

For the purpose of implementing features like as real-time global illumination, complex physics, and enormous generated environments, developers are already making preparations for the next generation of game engines, which are heavily dependent on memory. It is anticipated that a great number of next games would include 32 gigabytes as their recommended requirements, particularly for 1440p and 4K gaming situations. Investing in an upgrade now will allow you to be prepared for those needs and prevent performance bottlenecks in the future.

8. The Bottom Line: Making Your System Preparable for the Future

For casual gamers, 16 gigabytes may still be plenty in today’s world; however, for those who want to experience the most recent games to their fullest potential and multitask without making any sacrifices, 32 gigabytes is rapidly becoming an absolute must. According to the results of a poll conducted by Steam, this change is already in progress. Furthermore, since the complexity of games continues to increase, it is only a matter of time before 32 GB becomes the new norm. Making an investment in additional random-access memory (RAM) today will ensure a more fluid gameplay experience, improved multitasking capabilities, and a machine that is prepared for whatever the next generation of personal computer gaming may offer.