Noob Question About Recommended Amount of RAM.

[Your Computer]

I know my fair share about RAM usage and how it helps some programs run better, but want I don't understand is that why do you need 16GB of RAM for a game even though its ok to have 4 or 8 GB to play games with. Example I have 8GB and the new Mass Effect Andromeda RAM "Recommended" is 16GB (Minimum is 8). Why? Having a hard time finding the answers on Google.

[Omega]

If you don't have enough RAM your PC will keep freezing and run very slow some programs might not even start at all. New games all start leaning toword the 16gb of RAM so if you want a PC that is able to play the most demanding AAA games the comming years you will need 16gb.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Minimum = it runs
Recommend = it runs better and/or higher settings

Many games can eat up 8GB+ all on their own, so yes, 16GB is recommended.
That doesn't mean it can't run with lesser RAM. But generally games tend to run better when more RAM is available, especially when running with higher visual settings. Sure higher visuals is mostly done via GPU VRAM, but still... plus if you are running like a 6GB or 8GB VRAM based GPU, then you want 16GB System RAM for such a GPU.

[Sandman]

Open up Chrome and a few tabs and then see how much RAM it eats. It's quite a bit. So unless you're only playing the game with nothing else running, then you can eat up RAM quite a bit.

Plus the price difference betwen 8GB and 16GB is kind of neglible if you're using your computer every single day and will for the next few years.

There's not a lot of good reason to not buy 16GB.

[Your Computer]

Thank you all.