8GB vs. 16GB RAM For Gaming

Denganim20 · Aug 2, 2017

Hey guys I'm wondering will 8GB be enough to game at 1440p and at high-max settings? I would like to play games like BF1 Conquest mode too. Here are my specs:
CPU: Ryzen 5 1600
GPU: GTX 1060 6GB
Mobo: Gigabyte AB350M-GAMING 3

So just a couple of questions: How well does 8GB run on games at 1440p and high-max settings? How well is 8GB for a PC in general? How well is 8GB for rendering games? What are the cons of having 8GB than 16GB? Thanks guys.

jimmyEatWord · Aug 2, 2017

if you want to play games like battlefield 1 it's better to have 16 gb s

atomicWAR · Aug 2, 2017

16GB hands down. 8GB was great for systems 2 years ago. 16GB is the new go to for rigs and 8GB if budget is super strict. Generally 16GB goes for about $135 ddr4 3200mhz and $115 if you drop to ddr 4 2400mhz

Denganim20 · Aug 2, 2017

atomicWAR :

$115 16GB of 2400MHz RAM does not seem so bad I look into that option then, thanks! But, I'm curious how bad do you think gaming would be with 8GB of RAM when playing like BF1 Conquest mode?

atomicWAR · Aug 2, 2017

Decent loss in FPSs, more crashes as you hit 80%+ memory usage (regardless of application), a lot of crashes at 90%+ ram usage. 8gb is just enough for gaming but it will hurt you in the long term, you'll need more by next year...2 tops.

InvalidError · Aug 2, 2017

atomicWAR :

I've never had issues with increased number of crashes on my Core2Duo and before I finally decided to upgrade so I could throw more RAM in my PC to fix the massive performance loss caused by swapping, I was over 150% RAM usage - more than 12GB of data actively in use out of 8GB installed. Swapping was quite brutal on performance and I had to split the swapfile across three HDDs to make it bearable. Never crashed.

atomicWAR · Aug 3, 2017

Everybody's system runs different depending how it is configed and having a a large pagefile split amongst several drives is one way to prevent things from crashing (even then not a 100% IME) but as you pointed out the swapping of data can be brutal on performance. So in the end that doesn't change my recommendation only enforces it. I actually just a read an article on ram usage and system crashes. Been looking to link it and will if I can find it again (I read A LOT of tech news so may/may not find it). The short of it was percentages on crashes at 80% 90% and 95%+ ram usage. Generally the higher up the scale you went the more likely a crash or hang was likely. I do forget if they had the page file on and one reason I am searching for it again to clarify seeing it's relevance for this post. But you are also correct in a that a 100% properly configed rig should be able to still run, even if performance is impacted, when using all or more of your ram's full capacity. It does however IMO cause more crashes and hangs then having enough native ram capacity especially if the user doesn't know much about configing the page file or other virtual memory systems. (not hard to do but I see posts all the time with folks not sure how or what to do...usually getting low memory warnings and/or hangs).

Denganim20 · Aug 3, 2017

atomicWAR :

Everybody's system runs different depending how it is configed and having a a large pagefile split amongst several drives is one way to prevent things from crashing (even then not a 100% IME) but as you pointed out the swapping of data can be brutal on performance. So in the end that doesn't change my recommendation only enforces it. I actually just a read an article on ram usage and system crashes. Been looking to link it and will if I can find it again (I read A LOT of tech news so may/may not find it). The short of it was percentages on crashes at 80% 90% and 95%+ ram usage. Generally the higher up the scale you went the more likely a crash or hang was likely. I do forget if they had the page file on and one reason I am searching for it again to clarify seeing it's relevance for this post. But you are also correct in a that a 100% properly configed rig should be able to still run, even if performance is impacted, when using all or more of your ram's full capacity. It does however IMO cause more crashes and hangs then having enough native ram capacity especially if the user doesn't know much about configing the page file or other virtual memory systems. (not hard to do but I see posts all the time with folks not sure how or what to do...usually getting low memory warnings and/or hangs).

I have to ask could you explain what a page file is? I have heard the term but just never understood it.

InvalidError · Aug 3, 2017

Denganim20 :

The CPU can only execute code and access data from RAM. The pagefile is where all modern OSes dump data from RAM when it needs more memory than what is physically available, which is why it is also called virtual memory. Without a pagefile, the only option would be to forcibly terminate programs when the system runs out of memory.

Denganim20 · Aug 3, 2017

InvalidError :

So would it be possible to play games with 8GB of ram then down the road I could add 8GB more? You see I'm in a situation where I cannot afford $120 of 16GB RAM but can afford $70 of 8GB of RAM.

InvalidError · Aug 3, 2017

8GB should be enough to play most game well enough if you close background stuff to save memory. With 16GB, you don't have to worry about that anywhere near as much.

One problem with buying 8GB now and 8GB more later is that you may run into compatibility/stability issues between the memory - some combinations can be touchy and in some rarer cases, hopeless. If that happens to you, then you may be stuck having to ditch your original 8GB and get a 16GB kit.

atomicWAR · Aug 3, 2017

If your in a strict budget situation, that's when you go with the lower amount of ram and add more later. But keep in mind you may have to replace all of your sticks. I usually have luck adding more ram if I don't wait to long after my initial purchase but if I wait to long...the make and model ram disappears or gets changed in a way it won't work with my original set. So I am stuck replacing all of it. Also if your a ram overclocker or use pre-overclocked ram like myself. You never want to run more the 2 dimms in a dual channel set-up and more the 4 in a quad channel set-up if you can avoid it. You OC potential can drop pretty hard sometimes, others you get lucky. Again you can be forced to replace it if you want the faster speeds. I and face these issue frequently. My server's ram is not OCd so I can use all the dimms and upgrade. It started with 8GB and now sits at 16GB of at DDR3 1600mhz. My wife's CPU never OCd great with ram (past 1600mhz at least on a 1066mhz CPU...some folks hit 1866mhz on that CPU and higher) I was lucky could pull DDR3 1600mhz out of all 6 dimms (i7 970 a ti-channel CPU). It started with 3 dimms at 12 GB and ended up at 24GB. Just added more of the same make and model. My rig I simply populate 4 dimms but when I upgraded from 16GB to 32GB this year. I didn't get the chance to try and pull 2400mhz out of 8 dimms. My ram model changed and I was forced to get all new ram. So these are the risks you will be taking. You may have to lower speed if you OC...you may not...and you may have to buy all new ram if your make and model is changed in a significant way or is discontinued. I urge folks to get as much ram as they think they will ever need when purchasing unless these are risks they are willing to take or their budget, in cases like yours, strictly dictates otherwise. It isn't perfect but it will work for now.

Denganim20 · Aug 3, 2017

atomicWAR :

If your in a strict budget situation, that's when you go with the lower amount of ram and add more later. But keep in mind you may have to replace all of your sticks. I usually have luck adding more ram if I don't wait to long after my initial purchase but if I wait to long...the make and model ram disappears or gets changed in a way it won't work with my original set. So I am stuck replacing all of it. Also if your a ram overclocker or use pre-overclocked ram like myself. You never want to run more the 2 dimms in a dual channel set-up and more the 4 in a quad channel set-up if you can avoid it. You OC potential can drop pretty hard sometimes, others you get lucky. Again you can be forced to replace it if you want the faster speeds. I and face these issue frequently. My server's ram is not OCd so I can use all the dimms and upgrade. It started with 8GB and now sits at 16GB of at DDR3 1600mhz. My wife's CPU never OCd great with ram (past 1600mhz at least on a 1066mhz CPU...some folks hit 1866mhz on that CPU and higher) I was lucky could pull DDR3 1600mhz out of all 6 dimms (i7 970 a ti-channel CPU). It started with 3 dimms at 12 GB and ended up at 24GB. Just added more of the same make and model. My rig I simply populate 4 dimms but when I upgraded from 16GB to 32GB this year. I didn't get the chance to try and pull 2400mhz out of 8 dimms. My ram model changed and I was forced to get all new ram. So these are the risks you will be taking. You may have to lower speed if you OC...you may not...and you may have to buy all new ram if your make and model is changed in a significant way or is discontinued. I urge folks to get as much ram as they think they will ever need when purchasing unless these are risks they are willing to take or their budget, in cases like yours, strictly dictates otherwise. It isn't perfect but it will work for now.

How about this: say I buy 8GB of RAM that's at a speed of 2400MHz and is made by G.Skill. Then in about 2-3 weeks when I gain enough money I go back to the same exact page I had previously bought the RAM at. Then I make sure that RAM is the exact same as my other stick of 8GB RAM and buy it. Would that work out?

atomicWAR · Aug 3, 2017

^ That would be your best bet. Short time frame should ensure it is the exact same parts in the same make/model ram...though it is not 100% it is likely close. It is about as good a chance as you could have for everything playing out positively in your favor though.

Denganim20 · Aug 3, 2017

atomicWAR :

Thanks man I'll take that chance I should get more money to buy more ram very soon so I'll do it. Appreciate it!

atomicWAR · Aug 3, 2017

Anytime!

Search

8GB vs. 16GB RAM For Gaming

Denganim20

Commendable

atomicWAR

jimmyEatWord

Respectable

atomicWAR

Glorious

Denganim20

Commendable

atomicWAR

Glorious

InvalidError

Titan

atomicWAR

Glorious

Denganim20

Commendable

InvalidError

Titan

Denganim20

Commendable

InvalidError

Titan

atomicWAR

Glorious

Denganim20

Commendable

atomicWAR

Glorious

Denganim20

Commendable

atomicWAR

Glorious

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page