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Buying new gaming RAM has become a tough decision in late 2025. Prices have gone very high during the holiday season, and even basic DDR5 kits now cost as much as a new gaming console. Because of this, many gamers are confused about whether 16GB RAM is still enough or if upgrading to 32GB is now necessary.
If you are planning to build or upgrade a gaming PC, here is a simple breakdown to help you decide.
RAM Prices Are Very High in 2025
In 2025, 32GB RAM had become the normal choice for most gamers. It was affordable and easy to find. But recent price increases have changed everything.
Right now, a good 32GB DDR5 kit can cost between $300 and $500. This makes many gamers think about stepping down to 16GB, even though it is slowly going out of use.
Finding 16GB DDR5 kits is also not easy. Most brands sell 16GB sticks that are meant to be paired together, which limits cheap options. Some single-stick deals exist, but discounts are rare.
Gaming Performance: 16GB vs 32GB RAM
To understand the real difference, gaming tests were done at 1440p using an RTX 4070 Ti Super. This setup avoids CPU or GPU limits and focuses on RAM impact.
In games that run properly on both setups, the difference is small. On average, 16GB systems deliver around 67 FPS, while 32GB systems reach about 72 FPS. Across most games, the gap is only around 1 to 2 FPS.
This means that for many titles, raw performance does not change much just by adding more RAM.
Where 16GB RAM Starts to Fail
The real problem with 16GB RAM is not FPS. It is stability.
Some modern games simply do not run on 16GB systems. Titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and The Last of Us Part II either crash or fail to load. These games rely heavily on RAM and VRAM streaming, which pushes 16GB systems past their limit.
When RAM runs out, players may face stutters, freezes, or complete crashes. This is becoming more common in new AAA games, especially those built on Unreal Engine 5.
Which RAM Size Should Gamers Choose?
If you mostly play older games, esports titles, or lighter AAA games, 16GB can still work for now. But the margin is shrinking fast.
For smooth gameplay, stable performance, and future-proofing, 32GB RAM is now the safer option. It helps avoid memory errors and keeps games running smoothly above 60 FPS.
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