Is 8GB of RAM Enough In 2018?
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Description
The commonly held wisdom is that you can get by with 8GB of RAM, but with how much Chrome and Windows 10 use does this still hold up in 2018? Buy the CORSAIR Light Loop fans on Amazon: geni.us
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The video investigates whether 8GB of RAM is still sufficient in 2018, focusing on typical desktop workloads like Windows 10, Chrome browsing, and gaming. The host begins by noting that Chrome and Windows 10 can aggressively consume memory, sometimes pushing usage well beyond 8GB on regular workstations. They test configurations with 4, 8, 16, and 32GB of RAM on a high-end gaming rig, monitoring pagefile activity to determine when swapping occurs and how it impacts responsiveness. Across their Chrome tests, they observe that with 4GB you hit the pagefile after only a few dozen tabs and Chrome can crash with even a modest workload, while 8GB handles a larger workload but begins paging as tab counts rise, and 16GB provides a generous cushion before paging becomes a concern. The discussion then shifts to gaming, where memory demands vary by title; some games run fine on 4GB, while others like Rise of the Tomb Raider may benefit from 8GB, and in general there is little performance difference when moving from 16GB to 32GB for most games tested. The host emphasizes that more RAM offers diminishing returns for gaming, unless you run heavy multitasking or memory-intensive professional software, in which case 16GB or more can become essential. They also clarify the distinction between system memory and video memory, and touch on Windows features like SuperFetch that can utilize extra RAM to speed up launches. The conclusion provides practical guidelines: for casual gamers and general users, 8GB is a reasonable minimum with an upgrade path to 16GB for future-proofing, while professionals and workstation users should evaluate workloads carefully, often requiring 16GB or more depending on tasks like video editing or large simulations. The video ends with a light note about Corsair RGB fans and a reminder to check the description for links and merch, framing the content as a mix of performance testing and hardware enthusiasm.
Topics · technology · computing · hardware · pc-gaming · performance
Questions answered
- What RAM amount do you recommend for casual gaming and general use in 2018?
- For casual gaming and general use, 8GB is a reasonable minimum with an upgrade path to 16GB for future-proofing.
- Do games generally require 16GB RAM to run smoothly, or can 4GB sometimes suffice?
- Some games can run on 4GB, but many titles benefit from 8GB or more, and 16GB provides more headroom for multitasking and future titles.
- How does RAM impact long-term performance when multitasking with browsers and apps like Discord?
- RAM affects whether the system starts paging to disk; more RAM reduces paging and preserves responsiveness during multitasking, though the gains diminish as you move beyond 16GB for typical gaming workloads.