Not too long ago, having a PC with 8 GB of RAM was the norm, almost a standard practice. However, with the introduction of DDR4 and the increasing demands of next-generation video games, the recommended amount gradually shifted to 16 GB of RAM. While 8 GB still suffices for most tasks today, the emergence of DDR5 has now brought a new threshold: 32 GB. But do we truly need such a substantial amount of RAM for a regular PC?
Let’s face it: not everyone uses a PC for gaming, nor does everyone engage in memory-intensive databases and processes. A Windows PC can function adequately with just 4 GB of RAM, though it’s true that nowadays, even basic laptops come equipped with at least 8 GB. However, the leap from 8 GB to 32 GB, as seen with DDR5, is quite significant…
32 GB of RAM is the standard for DDR5 memory
Indeed, with the introduction of the new DDR5 standard for RAM memory, both speed and density have increased. This has led manufacturers to sell their DDR5 memory modules in 2×16 GB kits, and for desktop PCs, modules with less than 16 GB per module are rarely available, especially in the SO-DIMM format.
Since most consumer desktop systems now utilize dual-channel memory, the standard for DDR5 has become 32 GB of RAM or even more. This marks a contrast to the previous DDR4 generation, where configurations like 2×4 GB (8 GB total) were common, though 2×8 GB (16 GB) setups were more prevalent.
The reason behind this trend can be attributed to production costs. Manufacturing RAM with larger capacities is more expensive, and this has been used as a justification for the increase in RAM prices during the transition from DDR4 to DDR5. Manufacturers argue that the higher cost is warranted due to the doubled memory capacity, even if not everyone requires or desires such a large amount of RAM for their specific needs.
OK but is it something that makes sense?
This concept holds particular relevance for PC enthusiasts who possess an advanced skill set, relying on databases, virtual machines, and indulging in next-generation PC gaming. As we’ve witnessed, many games now require a minimum of 16 GB of RAM, a standard established in the previous generation. Having ample memory capacity is always beneficial, as the saying goes.
Moreover, this rationale also extends to computers running any version of the Windows operating system. It’s not that Windows is inherently greedy for RAM, although it does have a propensity for utilizing available memory. Windows employs a dynamic resource allocation system that seizes available memory and uses it with the same principle: having more is preferable to having too little.
To illustrate, consider the following scenario: we’ve captured a screenshot on a PC equipped with 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, where only essential programs such as Chrome, Outlook, Skype, Photoshop, and Spotify (for music) are open. Even with this moderate selection of applications, the system is already consuming approximately 10 GB of memory.
Certainly, based on our experience, this PC has never surpassed 20-21 GB of RAM consumption, even during demanding gameplay like Final Fantasy XV for Windows. While the game could run perfectly fine with 16 GB of RAM, having the extra memory available optimizes performance, which is undeniably great.
In conclusion, we acknowledge that DDR5 doesn’t offer a significant performance leap compared to DDR4. However, when considering memory capacity alone, if you’re planning to upgrade your PC and opt for DDR5, choosing 32 GB of RAM seems like a sensible choice. Having this extra capacity can be advantageous, even though 16 GB is sufficient for most tasks today. With DDR5 modules commonly available in 32 GB kits, there’s no reason to decline the opportunity. Embracing the additional memory capacity is indeed a worthwhile decision.