One of the most common questions we get at Big Bang PCs is:
“How much RAM should I get?”
It’s a fair question—especially with everything from web browsers to games and productivity tools becoming more resource-hungry. But the answer depends on how you use your PC.
Let’s break it down by use case and clear up some myths along the way.
4GB of RAM – Basically Obsolete
In 2025, 4GB is not enough for almost anything beyond the absolute basics. If you’re using a system with 4GB:
- Expect slow performance even when just browsing
- Multitasking is a nightmare
- Windows will constantly page memory to the hard drive (especially if it’s not an SSD)
Verdict: Only acceptable for extremely light Linux systems or older machines.
8GB of RAM – The Entry-Level Standard
If you’re just:
- Browsing the web
- Streaming music or YouTube
- Doing light office work
Modern browsers like Chrome and Edge can easily eat up several GBs on their own. Add a few tabs, a Zoom call, and a Word doc, and you’re running out of memory fast.
Verdict: Fine for very casual users or tight budgets, but not future-proof.
16GB of RAM – The Sweet Spot
This is the recommended amount for most users in 2025.
With 16GB, you can:
- Game comfortably (even with some background apps running)
- Stream and multitask
- Edit light photos or videos
- Run multiple browser tabs without slowdowns
If you’re building a gaming or productivity PC, this is the safe baseline.
Verdict: Best value-for-performance ratio.
32GB of RAM – For Power Users
This is where things get serious. If you:
- Edit 4K video or high-res photos
- Do 3D rendering or CAD work
- Run virtual machines or development environments
- Like to have 50 Chrome tabs open (we see you)
Then 32GB gives you the headroom to stay fast and responsive under heavy loads.
Gamers may not need this much, but streamers and content creators will benefit.
Verdict: For multitaskers and professionals. Overkill for most casual gamers.
64GB+ – Niche and Professional Use
Unless you’re:
- Running production workloads
- Hosting game servers or databases
- Building software in massive IDEs or VMs
- Doing high-end workstation tasks
…then 64GB+ is probably unnecessary.
Verdict: Only worth it if your work or hobbies demand it. Otherwise, it’s just bragging rights.