Random Access Memory, often referred to as “RAM,” is vital for your computer system to open, run, and manage programs, applications, and services. Most computers today come standard with at least 8GB of RAM, but for gamers, professionals, and power users, don’t be surprised to see computers with three or four times as much.
What if you are at the other end of the spectrum? Perhaps your needs are less demanding and you’d rather spend your RAM money on something more suitable. Here’s a definitive guide to how much RAM your Windows 10 PC needs. Chances are, you already have enough.
The minimum for the 32-bit version of Windows 10
1 GB of RAM is the minimum system requirement for the 32-bit version of Windows 10, and even though I got Windows 10 to run with that much RAM, I don’t recommend it.
1 GB of RAM is enough for basic operations like web browsing (although don’t expect to run a browser with dozens of tabs open), email, word processing, and light image editing.
But even these basic tasks are going to be painful, so do yourself a favor and avoid 1 GB of RAM if you can.
The minimum for the 64-bit version of Windows 10
2 GB of RAM is the minimum system requirement for the 64-bit version of Windows 10. You might get away with less, but it will most likely have you yelling a lot of profanity at your system!
With 2 GB, you should be able to do pretty much everything a computer is capable of doing with your computer. You can play games, edit images and videos, and run suites like Microsoft Office, and have a dozen browser tabs open for all your multitasking needs. Sure, the shortage of RAM will be a bottleneck in your system, but 2 GB is enough to do real work.
2 GB is also enough to run a set of hardcore applications like Adobe Photoshop (or so it says AdobeI wouldn’t want to test it), but to be honest, if you’re paying that kind of money for software, you might want to invest in more RAM!
The bottom line is that if you have a system with 2 GB of RAM and it feels slow, add more RAM. If you can’t add more RAM, you’re probably out of luck when it comes to speeding up your system.
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4GB RAM
If you are running a 32-bit operating system with 4 GB of RAM installed, you will only be able to access around 3.2 GB due to memory addressing limitations. However, with a 64-bit operating system, you will have full access to the full 4GB.
The difference in performance between a system with 2GB of RAM and one with 4GB is day and night. Even on a 32-bit system that limits RAM to just over 3GB, the performance boost is well worth it. Not only do apps run faster, but you can run more apps simultaneously, which is helpful if you’re running suites like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud.
If you have a 64-bit operating system, then upping your RAM up to 4GB is a no-brainer.
All but the cheapest and most basic Windows 10 systems will come with 4GB of RAM.
8GB RAM
Note: You will need a 64 bit operating system to make use of 8 GB of RAM or more.
We are now in performance territory. If you’re serious about your PC, then I consider 8GB of RAM your new default.
If you’re buying or building a machine dedicated to photo or HD video editing and playback, or just want a fast system, then 8GB of RAM is the minimum you should consider to avoid frustration.
This is the amount of RAM recommended by Adobe for users running Creative Cloud applications.
8 GB of RAM is not expensive. Sure, have the OEM install it on a new system and you’ll likely be paying a premium (especially if that OEM is Apple), but from an aftermarket supplier, this can be had for less than $40.
8GB is the minimum amount of RAM new Macs ship with.
See Also: Top 5 Best RAM Memory Upgrades For Your PC
16GB RAM
Is there a case for more than 8 GB of RAM? Of course there is, but the investment vanishes.
The point where more than 8GB of RAM comes in handy and starts to pay for itself is when you’re running multiple resource-heavy applications simultaneously, especially image or video processing (even 4K video), CAD, or 3D modeling.
To really feel the difference, try running Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and After Effects in parallel on a system with 8 GB of RAM.
Having more than 8 GB is also useful if you make extensive use of virtualization tools like Microsoft Hyper-V or VMware Workstation, especially if you’re running multiple virtual machines simultaneously.
16GB+ RAM
You are now deep in the realm of heavy lifting. A workstation with more than 16 GB of RAM will be a do-anything system. This is the kind of system that will be able to run multiple resource-heavy applications or virtual machines simultaneously.
Remember that 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education will support up to 2TB of RAM, while the 64-bit version of Windows 10 Home is limited to just 128GB.
Keep in mind that the amount of RAM your system supports, along with the type and speed, will depend on your motherboard. Check your PC/motherboard manual or, if your PC was manufactured by an OEM, use a system checker like the one found at Crucial.com to find out which RAM is compatible with your system.