How much RAM is too much?

WoodenSaucer

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If I build a gaming rig, I'm wondering whether to put 8GB or 16GB in it. I'm starting to think 16GB is overkill, and I don't need more than 8GB, but I was wondering what you guys think. I guess I can always buy another module down the road if it's not enough.
 
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There's no such thing as too much memory. All modern operating systems will use free memory as a high speed application and disk cache, so it won't go unused. Adding more will improve system responsiveness even if applications don't use it directly.

Echocookie

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8gb is plenty for a gaming rig. I have Steam, chat, a game, my game booster, and like 4 tabs open and I get around 50%-65% RAM usage (I have 8gb). You could still upgrade later if you realize that it isn't enough. 16gb definitely isn't overkill; I know someone who only games on their system and has 32gb! If you feel like that's how much you need, you should go for it! I would say 32-64 is like, WAY too much for a gaming system.
Hope this helps!
 

Tradesman1

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If planning to keep system a few years and the 16GB is in the budget, would go for it, DDR4 is on the way and the price of DDR3 will continue to rise, may be overkill for the moment, but if you multi-task much or are into video/imaging/VMs/etc you'll like having the extra
 

WoodenSaucer

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So you only use 50-60% of 8GB, but you don't think 16GB is overkill? Do you guys think more RAM will be necessary in the next few years? If DDR3 prices will keep rising, I guess it would be wise to get it now rather than later.
 

Echocookie

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If it is in your budget, you should just go for the 16gb of ram. Future-proofing is a pretty good thing to do, so you aren't spending $100 and then having to spend another $160 the next year just because you want to upgrade. What I am trying to say is that 8gb is enough for anything you want to do at the moment, and 16 is a just in case precaution for the future.
 


There's no such thing as too much memory. All modern operating systems will use free memory as a high speed application and disk cache, so it won't go unused. Adding more will improve system responsiveness even if applications don't use it directly.
 
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Echocookie

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Glad to hear you made a decision! :D Don't forget to choose a best answer to help other people with the same problem!
 

WoodenSaucer

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I think I may have set this thread up as a discussion, so I don't think I can choose a best answer.
 


fixed that for you!