For every pro gamer and enthusiast, the dream is to have the ultimate gaming PC/laptop. Every gamer hopes to enjoy their gaming activities without redundancies, lags, or bottlenecks.
There are several reasons why almost every gaming forum agrees that 16GB DDR4 RAM is the best for a perfect gaming experience, and we’ll be looking into these factors.
Here’s everything you should know about your 16GB DDR4 RAM’s suitability for gaming.
Is 16GB DDR4 RAM good for gaming?
Well, yes.
The minimum requirement for even the highly graphic games in the yard today (PUBG, Minecraft, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Free Fire, Fortnite Battle Royale, The Witcher 3, Need for Speed, Metro Exodus, Ghost runner, etc.) is still an 8GB DDR4 RAM.
We recommend the Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 Desktop Memory Kit.
Having a 16GB RAM stick in your PC is just about right, considering future upgrades.
But you have to consider your PC usage. I assume that your PC will be dedicated solely as a gaming computer. If you intend to run other programs on your computer simultaneously with the games, that could impact the efficiency of your RAM frequency and bandwidth.
Why is RAM so crucial to a gaming computer?
For the tech ‘newbies’ who may not know how a PC works, a RAM stick (Random Access Memory) is the computer’s virtual memory.
Think of it as a temporary storage unit where all files and data needed to keep an application running are stored temporarily to ensure speedy execution of instructions.
So does that mean the more significant the size of my RAM, the faster my PC?
Not exactly, you see, your computer functions in an environment (actually an array of environments), and your RAM is only 1 of several components in this environment.
This implies that other components in the computer will have an impact on the efficiency of your RAM.
What are the sizes of RAM?
The DDR4 SDRAM stands for Double Data Rate 4 Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory.
It is the 4th generation of SDRAMs and was the latest until recently (in November 2021). It has an optimal frequency of 3200MHz and can be optimized to clock higher bandwidths up to 3800MHz.
Your typical RAM can come in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB ratings. But if you’re only interested in a PC that will run every game out there without hassles, 8GB-16GB is all you need. The high-end RAMs are designed for special heavier tasks such as heavy video editing and the likes.
What other PC components affect my RAM speed?
Motherboard
Your PC motherboard rating plays a fundamental role in determining the operations you can perform on the computer. A 32bit motherboard, for instance, can only accommodate a 2GB RAM stick maximum.
It goes to say; you need a 64bit motherboard to have larger RAM sizes. Also, the number of available RAM slots on the board is essential; you can only have as many RAM sticks as there are RAM slots. So the higher the number of available slots, the better.
Processor
You can pick 1 of 2 choices, and you either opt for an Intel core system or an AMD.
There’s a lot of debate about which is better, but in all honesty, they’re both holding their ends, especially with the recent wave of powerful gaming computers in the market from AMD Ryzen (AMD Ryzen 1 and 2 by G.Skill).
The AMD 3600MHz has a higher clocking frequency than the Intel 3200MHz, but despite these advancements from AMD, a majority of pro gamers still favor Intel core PCs for several reasons.
Why is Intel Core better than AMD?
Intel core PCs have an architecture that aids better performance and higher bandwidth while limiting latency.
Latency is the period from the moment a process or operation is initiated to the actual moment of execution.
An Intel core has a ‘monolithic die’ (think of a factory with all the production machines in the same room); it reduces latency and power consumption in its operation.
On the other hand, your AMD chipset has an infinity fabric interconnect topology that consumes more power and exhibits a more significant latency. Imagine a factory with different rooms for different operations. AMD chips have a higher L3 cache to retain more data to compensate for this.
So data travels faster and cheaper in an Intel core but is retained and preserved better in an AMD chipset.
Screen Resolution
Your monitor display also affects your gameplay experience.
Games with higher FPS (frames per second) requirements will take a toll on the RAM without a graphics card and high-resolution monitor. Using a 1080p display to play a game with a 4k requirement will stretch your virtual memory and system graphics capacity to the limit.
Most recent gaming PCs come with integrated RAM and need to be tweaked with graphic cards with dedicated virtual memory to improve RAM performance. So in order not to experience screen frags and display issues, check to make sure your screen has a frame rate that matches the gaming requirements.
What are the best 16GB DDR4 RAM kits available for me?
As I mentioned earlier, the best tweak for an Intel core system will be a 16GB DDR4 RAM with a clocking speed of a minimum 3200MHz, and a 16GB DDR4 RAM for an AMD system at 3600MHz (like the AMD Ryzen 3000 series).
Some examples include the Xtreme ARGB 16GB DDR4 3600 MHz, CVN Guardian 16GB DDR4 3200MHz, and my favorites, the G.Skill innovations, including the G.Skills Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4 clocking at 2400MHz for low requirement games, and the G.Skills Trident Z Royal 16GB DDR4 4000MHz for high-end games.
Now is the best time to go shopping for your 16GB DDR4 RAM because there’s been a considerable drop in prices.
Ever since the official launch of the DDR5 RAMs (clocking as high as 4000MHz), we have seen a significant reduction in prices for the DDR4 range. And Incase you’re wondering, “why don’t I go for the DDR5 instead? “
Well, you should consider the cost implications. Not only is DDR5 RAM expensive right now, but you will also have to change other components in your PC too (like your motherboard, which isn’t compatible with DDR5). Why go through all that trouble?
FAQs
What RAM size is minimum for a good gaming experience today?
You need a minimum of 8GB RAM, but a 16GB RAM puts you 1 step ahead.
Does my RAM affect my gaming experience?
Yes, but RAM efficiency is affected by other system configurations like your processing speed and motherboard make.
Can I eliminate lag in my gaming with a RAM upgrade?
Yes, if a low RAM capacity causes the lag.
Can I use two different RAM sizes?
Yes, but note that your RAM speed will be determined by the frequency of the lower size RAM stick. You can’t use different generations of RAM sticks together, e.g. DDR4 + DDR3 won’t work.
