Is it Worth Upgrading from 16gb to 32gb RAM? YES, But…

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In today’s age, technology is constantly evolving and growing. With new advancements in computer hardware and software, gamers are wondering if they should upgrade their old devices. One common upgrade gamers consider upgrading it from 16GB to 32GB RAM. But Is it Worth Upgrading from 16GB to 32GB RAM? 

RAM provides the space for temporary files for running applications. The more RAM you have, the more files your computer can keep track of at any given time. So, if you’re a heavy multitasker or a gamer, upgrading to 32GB RAM could help your computer keep up with your demands.

Is it Worth Upgrading from 16GB to 32GB RAM?

It’s worth it, but you have to be sure that your motherboard supports those upgrades. Motherboards are built according to the specific ram size and module type. All latest motherboards support DDR4 and DDR5 RAM modules. So always look for the capability when buying a new RAM.

Many software and online websites like Kingston, Memory, and Memtest86 may help you identify your RAM type, whether DDR4, DDR5, RDIMMs, or UDIMMs. If you are a gamer upgrading your RAM will definitely be a plus for you as it helps in faster response and multitasking.

Here are some points you should consider before upgrading your RAM to ensure the smooth and more performance:

1. Compatibility

Compatibility is one of the most important factors to consider while upgrading your RAM. There are different types of RAM modules available in the market, and you need to make sure that the one you are buying is compatible with your motherboard. The three most common types of RAM modules are DDR4, DDR5, and SDRAM.

2. Clock Speed

The clock speed is the number of times your RAM can process data per second. It is measured in MHz. The higher the clock speed, the better the performance of your RAM. If you are a gamer, you must consider RAM clock speed before buying. So if you overclock your RAM, you do it within the safe limits.

In gaming, clock speed helps to improve the performance and many other factors like frames per second (FPS). So it’s important to buy the overclockable RAM when the upgrade is about gaming.

3. Maximum Voltage

Voltage is another key feature when it comes to overclocking your RAM. If you are upgrading your RAM, you are a hardcore gamer or a multitasker. You will need to overclock your RAM sometime. So always consider buying RAM that suits overclocking and has maximum voltage bearing capacity. 

4. Need for Upgrading

If you are using 16GB RAM and you are not an intense gamer or multitasker, consider not upgrading your RAM. It is because 16GB is more than enough to do simple tasks and gaming. But in the case of memory-intensive work like video editing and rendering, you will need more RAM. Then it’s best to upgrade from 16 to 32GB.

Is 32GB of RAM overkill?

If your computer cannot support the RAM up to 32GB, it might cause a RAM bottleneck. The other factor is your usage. If you’re a casual user who uses your PC for light tasks, 32GB of RAM is probably overkilling. On the other hand, if you are a PC gamer, to pretty much every single game, 16GB is more than enough.

Instead of investing in RAM, you should invest in buying a new graphics card. It’s the basic thing that will get you a better gaming experience. If you are a content creator or video editor who uses heavy software like Adobe premiere pro and After Effects, you could benefit from that extra RAM.  

12GB RAM	16GB RAM	32 GB RAM
Casual users	Some professionals	Professionals
Simple tasks basic gaming	Pro Gamers	Hardcore Gamers
Emails and documents	Multitaskers	Intense PC users
Data management applications	Editors who edit 1080P videos	4K video editors
Internet Browsing	——-	Heavy motion graphic workers

Ultimately, it comes down to your specific needs and usage habits. So, if you think you can benefit from the extra RAM, go for it! Otherwise, you might be better off saving your money.

Is 16GB RAM Enough for Gaming?

16GB of RAM is more than enough for pro gaming, but if you are a hardcore gamer, you can use 32GB RAM. All the latest gaming motherboards allow 32GB or even 128GB RAM configurations, which gives you more cache and multitasking space. So 16GB of RAM is considered, even for newly released games.

But, if you’re a casual PC user or a professional who only occasionally uses their computer for gaming, then 16GB of RAM should be plenty. On the other hand, if you regularly play on your PC and use it for other memory-intensive tasks like video editing or graphic design, 32GB of RAM would be better.

For gaming, GPU compatibility with RAM is also important. GPU is the hardware that uses most RAM during gaming besides its VRAM. As RAM versions also need to match with GPU versions. DDR5 GPU will not be fully compatible with DDR4 RAM and cause bottleneck and issues like FPS drop.

So it is important to match the version to avoid such issues and make your computer system future-proof.  

Do any Games Benefit from 32GB RAM?

Some memory-intensive games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 show a slight FPS change, but this change is negligible. Both 16GB and 32Gb had the same results. Even the latest games like Elden ring, Dying Light 2, and SiFu don’t require RAM of more than 16GBs. 

Here are some benefits of using 32GB of RAM:

1. Increased Gaming Performance – FPS

One of the key benefits of using 32GB RAM for gaming is the significant boost in performance it can provide. Compared to 8GB or 16GB RAM, 32GB can offer a noticeable increase in Frames per second (FPS) and overall gaming performance.

2. Smoother Gameplay 

Another advantage of using 32GB RAM for gaming is the smoother gameplay it can offer. There is less likelihood of game lag or stuttering with more RAM, providing a much more enjoyable gaming experience. Thus upgrading your RAM from 16GB to 32GB is worth it. 

3. Increased Multitasking Ability

Along with improved gaming performance, 32GB RAM also offers increased multitasking ability. It means that you can have multiple programs or tabs open simultaneously without experiencing any slowdown.

4. Future-Proofing your PC 

Finally, another benefit of using 32GB RAM is that it can help future-proof your PC. As games become increasingly demanding, having more RAM will ensure that your gaming rig can keep up with the latest titles.

Will 32GB RAM improve FPS?

32GB RAM will improve your gaming experience by improving FPS and giving you more memory to work with. It can also help to reduce stuttering and load times in games, which is a significant performance boost.  This performance boost increases your game FPS.

The difference that 32GB RAM makes in games can be significant. For example, you may see a boost in FPS or smoother gameplay with less stuttering and loading times. Of course, the difference you’ll see depends on the game and your setup, but it’s worth considering if you’re a serious gamer.

32GB RAM can also help if you’re editing video or working with other large files. It gives you more space to work with and can help to improve your workflow.

Do you need 32GB RAM for 4K gaming?

4K gaming is becoming increasingly popular, but it’s not something that everyone needs. 16GB RAM should be plenty if you’re a casual gamer. But if you are using multiple applications with gaming like streaming software and recorders, then 32GB RAM is perfect. 

4K gaming requires 4K monitors, and these monitors are set around 4,000 pixels. To support such pixels, more GPU VRAM and PC RAM are required. Therefore, 32GB RAM is a good choice for 4K gaming.

How Much Does it Cost to Upgrade from 16GB to 32GB RAM?

It costs $30 to $60 to upgrade to 32GB RAM. You can use the dual-channel technique if you already have a 16GB RAM module. Buy another 16GB module and place it in the dual-socket on the motherboard. It will surely save you a lot of money as good quality branded 16GB RAM costs about $40. 

Changing a RAM is a simple process you don’t need to add any labor costs as you can do it by yourself. Just you have to buy the right compatible RAM for your motherboard.

Pros & Cons 

Pros	Cons
Allows for a smoother gaming experience	More expensive than lower RAM options
Can increase FPS	Not necessary for all games.
Games can load faster.
Reduces chances of lag or frame rate issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 32GB RAM is a great option for gaming. It can offer a significant boost in performance and help future-proof your PC. It’s also a good choice for video editing and other memory-intensive tasks. However, it’s unnecessary for all games and may not be worth the extra cost for casual gamers.