For any gamer, building a formidable rig is always a step ahead of the game. Even so, success depends on the effort you put into it. The one thing you cannot afford to miss here is the RAM actually, it should be among the aspects you consider first. So, how much RAM do I need for gaming? Well, there is quite a lot that goes into that. Keep reading to find out just how much RAM you need to take your gaming to new highs.
What is RAM?
RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory, which is the memory that temporarily stores data so it can be quickly retrieved by the device’s processor. The operating system, data and application programs that are in use are temporarily stored here. Information stored here can be written and read faster than any other storage on the PC. Whenever you launch any game on your PC, it’s loaded onto the RAM. As long as the PC is on and running, data is stored. In the event that the PC is turned off, all the data in RAM is lost. There are a lot of type of RAM on the market, with the main types being SRAM and DRAM.
What does RAM do in gaming??
Every gamer’s intention is to have the best realistic and entertaining gaming experience. With this in mind, you desire to have a great gaming computer with top-notch properties. RAM stores temporary relevant data from your game. This is the data that your PC needs to ensure seamless running of your game. Examples include how much ammunition you have left, player location or amount of cash in your in-game account. Larger and faster RAM lead to faster game loading time which improves the gaming experience.
How Much RAM Do I Need For Gaming?
The rule with Ram is that There is no such thing as too much RAM. The larger the RAM the better. This improves loading performance and prevents freezing of the computer.
The minimum required memory to run a majority of modern gaming applications is 4GB of RAM. However, some games won’t run or not perform well. They require larger RAM. 8 GB RAM is the recommended and ideal memory of RAM to enable faster loading and prevent speed or performance-related issues.
Larger RAM supports other programmes to run in the background seamlessly as you play your game.
If you love live streaming as you play your game, a 16 Gb RAM would definitely be required. Running and streaming a game on a monitor as you chat, listen to music or other background programmes will definitely require an extra portion of RAM space. Also, using 16 GB RAM makes your PC able to play 4K definition games.
Going for 32 GB RAM is a little extreme unless you are using it for other purposes such as video editing or 3D modeling. Purchasing 32 GB RAM specifically for gaming is unnecessary.
Does RAM have an effect on CPU usage?
Yes, it does The CPU is the processor where all the computing of a PC is done. RAM temporarily stores data that is ready to be processed. At some point, every bit of data stored on the RAM will be accessed by the CPU. High CPU usage can be caused by many legitimate programs, especially when a lot of them are run at the same time. Malware such as viruses and spyware may also cause high CPU usage. A CPU running at full capacity (100%) for an extended amount of time, leads to slower performance. This increases the strain on the hard disk resulting in noise caused by the cooling fan spinning at full blast. 100% CPU usage is a usual sign something is wrong. If you have less RAM than that the CPU needs, this too can lead to high CPU usage.
Increasing the amount of RAM may increase the speed of your computer but that doesn’t necessarily help solve the issue of high CPU usage. With a larger RAM, the processor retrieves most of the data it requires from the RAM rather than a slow area like the hard drive. Increase in RAM only helps CPU usage if your previous RAM was running at close to or at 100%.
Also, faster RAM improves communication speeds with the processor. This decreases load times of program applications and reduces CPU strain. If you have a RAM capacity able to load the OS and all other startup programs, Your computer will start up much faster.
Test your RAM USing Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
Sometimes when RAMs fails, it is hard to point exactly to their source of the issue. Before you replace your RAM, it is advisable to run a diagnostic to see if there is an issue with the memory. The following are the steps involved.
- Click on the Start Menu and go to search. Type in [highlight] mdsched.exe [/highlight] , and then press enter.
- A pop-up appears asking you on when you prefer the memory checked. There is an option to restart the computer currently and check the RAM or wait until the next time the PC reboots. You choose the option that better suits you.
- Your computer will display a screen showing your RAM check progress. Watch the diagnostic tool for any errors. If no errors are displayed, then probably it isn’t the RAM causing any problems to your PC.
How does RAM affect gaming performance?
As seen earlier, 8 GB was the ideal RAM for gaming. Having larger and faster RAMs will not have much effect on the gaming performance. Larger and faster RAMs will only reduce game loading time but frames per second in the game are not affected by the differences in RAM. Larger RAM is only beneficial when you are running a lot of other programmes in the background.
Conclusion
RAM is one of the main components of any gaming rig. It should be one of the highly considered components when setting up your rig. Your PC should have the perfect RAM to avoid overworking it which might lead to overheating and subsequent spoiling of the computer. With appropriate RAM, you can enjoy your gaming sessions and your PC will thank you for that.