How much RAM do I need for gaming in 2025?

For modern gaming, 16GB is the minimum recommended, but 32GB provides headroom for streaming, multitasking, and future games. 64GB is only necessary for professional content creation or heavy workstation use.

Is DDR5 worth the upgrade over DDR4?

DDR5 offers higher bandwidth and will be the standard for new platforms. However, DDR4 still provides excellent performance at lower cost. If you're building a new Intel 12th/13th gen or AMD Ryzen 7000 series system, DDR5 is recommended. For older platforms, DDR4 remains the better value.

What is a good price per GB for RAM?

In 2025, DDR4 RAM typically costs $2-4 per GB, while DDR5 ranges from $3-6 per GB. Look for deals under these thresholds for good value. Our price tracker helps you find the best deals by comparing price per gigabyte.

Does RAM speed really matter for gaming?

RAM speed has a moderate impact on gaming performance, especially with AMD Ryzen CPUs. For Intel, the difference is smaller. DDR4-3200 or DDR5-5600 are sweet spots that balance price and performance for most gamers.

What does CAS latency (CL) mean for RAM?

CAS latency (CL) measures how many clock cycles it takes for RAM to respond to a request. Lower is better. However, effective latency depends on both CL and speed. DDR4-3200 CL16 has similar real-world latency to DDR4-3600 CL18.