Although many are still calm and stable in various operating systems, from other versions of Windows to Linux, the reality is that Windows 11 is really striking. It’s a clear upgrade from Windows 10 with few real performance improvements, but it touches and fixes what the second one failed to do. But, if you want to install it on your PC, how much RAM do you need for this new Windows 11 ? Is there anything else you should keep in mind?
We will not go into the controversy of TPM 2.0 , although it is part of the hardware requirements of the new Microsoft operating system as we will see later, but at the same time and after seeing that many processors have been left out for this feature, is it possible that have problems due to lack of RAM? Let’s see it.
RAM memory requirements for Windows 11, affordable?
Well, in theory they are if we stick to what Microsoft tells us on its official website:
- Processor : 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores in a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC.
- RAM : 4 GB or more.
- Storage : 64 GB or more of available storage.
- Additional storage space may be required to download updates and enable specific features.
- Graphics Card : DirectX 12 or later compatible with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
- System Firmware : UEFI, Secure Boot supported.
- TPM : Version 2.0 is required.
- Screen : Resolution of at least 720p, 9″ monitor or larger, 8-bit color.
- Internet connection – for downloads and updates.
Therefore, the OS as such will consume 4 GB of RAM , but what Microsoft does not count is that this amount will be insufficient when we have an APU, for example, with shared memory with its iGPU, with which the final result is less available RAM capacity and that does not guarantee the smooth operation of Windows 11.
Also, the recommended amount of RAM is only suitable for running the OS, not for a nice user experience and that’s why “or more” is specified in the requirements. Without a doubt, 8 GB is recommended, since today both software and games store a lot of information in RAM to speed up processes instead of doing it with the SSD, which will always be slower.
Anything else to keep in mind with this OS?
Well, something quite important such as the graphics card. The WDDM 2.0 driver must be mentioned, because this excludes a good handful of GPUs on the market. Specifically, compatibility begins with NVIDIA in the GTX 400 and GTX 500 series, these being the first within the support of the company’s new drivers and from there to the most innovative that we currently have.
At AMD it starts at the HD 5000 series up to the newest ones, which encompasses quite a few more models than NVIDIA actually. In other words, if your GPU does not belong to those mentioned or to a higher range and series, the rest is excluded from support, so that it is understood, the GTx 300 or GTX 200 will not be able to install Windows 11, as well as the HD 4000 and inferior neither.
This also applies to professional GPU models, be it Quadro or Tesla, for example. Therefore, if your PC is more than 10 years old, it is something that you should check so as not to get too hot when the installation of Windows 11 fails, not so much because of the RAM memory itself.