Will Upgrading RAM from 4GB to 8GB/16GB Boost My FPS in a Game?

When upgrading system components, many gamers are curious about how a RAM upgrade will affect their in-game performance. Specifically, if your current system runs on a Ryzen 5 3600 CPU and an Nvidia 1650 GPU with 4GB of RAM, you might wonder if upgrading to 8GB or 16GB of RAM can enhance your gaming experience and increase your Frames Per Second (FPS).

Current Limitations

Many modern games require more than 4GB of RAM to run smoothly. When running on 4GB of RAM, your system may resort to using swap space on your storage drive, which is significantly slower than RAM. This can lead to stuttering or low FPS, making gameplay less smooth and enjoyable.

8GB Upgrade

Upgrading to 8GB RAM is generally considered the minimum for gaming today. This upgrade can provide a noticeable improvement in performance. With 8GB of RAM, games can run more smoothly, and the chances of bottlenecks caused by insufficient memory are reduced. This makes it easier to achieve higher FPS and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.

16GB Upgrade

Upgrading to 16GB of RAM is even better. It future-proofs your system and provides plenty of headroom for multitasking and running more demanding games. Many newer titles benefit from having more than 8GB of RAM, especially if you plan to run background applications while gaming. This can lead to a more seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

Overall System Performance

While RAM is a critical component, the overall performance is also influenced by your system’s balance of CPU and GPU. In cases where your GPU is a bottleneck in certain games, upgrading RAM alone may not lead to a significant increase in FPS. However, for most modern games, a RAM upgrade can still provide a noticeable boost in performance.

Conclusion

In summary, upgrading your RAM to 8GB or 16GB can lead to an increase in FPS and a smoother gaming experience, particularly in modern titles. If you frequently play games that are memory-intensive or if you multitask while gaming, the upgrade will be beneficial.

Important Note: While upgrading from 4GB to 8GB or 16GB can provide noticeable improvements, the actual FPS increase might vary depending on the game and the system’s overall configuration. Dual channel memory can also provide a slight performance boost, especially if you’re moving from single channel to dual channel.

References

How Much RAM Do You Need to Run Video Games? Why You Need More Than 8GB of RAM in 2023

Finding the right balance between CPU, GPU, and RAM can help you achieve the best possible gaming performance. If you're looking to upgrade your system, consider the specific needs of the games you play and your overall system requirements.