How Much RAM Do I Need for Gaming in 2026

At Computer Lounge, one question keeps popping up: can you still game on 8 GB, 16 GB, or do you really need 32 GB now?

It’s a fair question. Memory prices fluctuate, games are getting heavier, and online advice is often outdated or exaggerated. So, here’s the reality, straightforward and based on what we see every day building and tuning gaming PCs for New Zealand customers.

Let’s break it down by capacity and explain what actually changes when it comes to RAM for gaming in 2026.

The Short Version

8 GB RAM - Bare minimum and no longer suitable for gaming. You’ll need very low settings and will still get stutter, hitching, and uneven frame pacing.

16 GB RAM - Still very playable for most games, especially at 1080p, but you’re getting close to the edge. Background apps quickly eat into memory, causing slowdowns and random stutters. Keep your system lean for best results.

32 GB RAM - The current sweet spot. Doesn’t raise FPS but keeps gameplay smooth with fewer hiccups and faster response even when multitasking. Ideal for modern gaming and longevity.

64 GB RAM - Adds little for gaming alone. Higher “usage” doesn’t mean more performance. Go for it only if you stream, edit, or run demanding software alongside your games.

Quick takeaway:
8 GB can technically run games but isn’t recommended. 16 GB is a good starting point for decent performance, and 32 GB is where things stay smooth as titles and background loads grow.

Why “RAM Used” Isn’t the Whole Story

It’s easy to look at Task Manager and assume more RAM used equals better performance. Not quite.

Windows and modern game engines are smart, they’ll fill available memory to cache data and speed up future loading. That can make “usage” appear high even when everything’s running fine. The real problem isn’t how much is used; it’s what happens when you run out.

When your system runs out of RAM, it starts offloading data to your storage drive (the page file). Even with a fast SSD, that’s dramatically slower than real memory. The result: momentary pauses, inconsistent frame times, and that “why does it feel laggy even though FPS looks okay?” effect.

What Changes at Each Capacity

8 GB RAM - Eight gigabytes just doesn’t cut it anymore. You’ll run into severe frame pacing issues, hitching when new textures load, and constant micro-stutters. Games technically “run,” but the experience feels choppy. In 2026, 8 GB belongs in office PCs, not gaming systems.

16 GB RAM - Sixteen gigabytes still works better than people expect. Many games will run fine, particularly at 1080p with a clean background. But when you’ve got a few tabs open, Discord running, a game overlay, and maybe a capture tool in the mix, 16 GB can buckle. When that happens, the drop in smoothness is obvious: uneven frame pacing, occasional hitching, and lower 1% lows even when average FPS looks strong. Just make sure you keep your system optimised and open apps to a minimum.

32 GB RAM - This is where things start to feel consistently smooth. 32 GB doesn’t usually raise your top FPS numbers, but it dramatically reduces the moments that break immersion, loading hitches, alt-tab delays, or stutters from background activity. It also gives headroom for the next few years as game engines get hungrier. For most gamers, 32 GB is the “buy once, forget about it” option and the best memory for PC gaming right now.

64 GB RAM - Beyond 32 GB, the returns flatten quickly. You’ll see more “RAM used,” but that’s caching, not performance gain. 64 GB makes sense if you stream, edit, or run other heavy workloads alongside gaming. For most players, it’s overkill.

The VRAM Factor Most People Miss

Your GPU’s VRAM and system RAM are connected more than people realise.

When a GPU runs out of VRAM, it spills some of its data into system RAM to compensate. That’s fine until system RAM also starts to fill. Then Windows offloads to storage, creating a domino effect of slowdowns.

This is why some gamers with mid-range cards (often 8 GB VRAM) suddenly find that 16 GB of system RAM “isn’t enough.” It’s not purely the game, it’s the GPU running short on VRAM and shifting the load to memory that’s already nearly full. You will need to reduce game settings.

So while adding more system RAM won’t magically fix a VRAM bottleneck, 32 GB does give your PC more room to breathe when that spill-over happens.

What This Means When You’re Buying

When you’re picking parts, don’t treat RAM as a number in isolation, it’s part of a system.

16 GB of RAM is fine for current 1080p gaming. If you’re careful with background apps, it delivers good results without any major compromises.

32 GB of RAM helps smooth things out in heavier titles or when you multitask, but it’s a luxury, not a requirement for most gamers.

Pairing an 8 GB VRAM GPU with 16 GB RAM is still a solid, practical combo for 1080p gaming at medium settings, where VRAM use stays under control.

If you’re chasing long-term stability or doing light creator work, 32 GB is worth stretching for.

The goal isn’t maxing one spec, it’s building a balanced system that performs well for the games you actually play.

Computer Lounge Recommendation

At Computer Lounge, we test hundreds of builds every year, and our guidance is consistent:

16 GB RAM: A good choice for budget and mid-range systems, but nearing the limit for modern games.
32 GB RAM: Our go-to choice for new gaming PCs, it offers stability, smoother performance, and future-proof headroom.
64 GB RAM: Best for creators, streamers, and power users, not for squeezing extra frames out of a game.

We’ve seen time and again that 32 GB delivers the best balance between cost and experience for most players.

A Smart Upgrade Path

If you’re debating between 16 GB and 32 GB, here’s the practical take:

If your 16 GB system feels smooth, keep it for now.
If you notice stutter, alt-tab lag, or you’re upgrading to a new GPU, step up to 32 GB.
If you’re building new and want to avoid upgrading again soon, start with 32 GB.

Not sure what’s best for your setup? Contact the Computer Lounge team with your CPU, GPU (VRAM included), and current RAM. We’ll tell you if a move to 32 GB will make a difference, or if your money’s better spent elsewhere.