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Is 32 GB RAM worth it?

Having enough RAM (Random Access Memory) is crucial for your computer to run smoothly and efficiently. But is upgrading to 32GB of RAM really necessary, or is it overkill? Let’s take a look at who actually needs 32GB of RAM and whether it’s worth the cost.

What is RAM and what does it do?

RAM is your computer’s short-term memory. It temporarily stores data that your CPU needs immediate access to so that everything runs quickly. This includes:

  • Active programs and software
  • Open browser tabs and documents
  • Game textures and assets
  • Operating system functions

Having enough RAM enables your computer to handle multiple tasks at once without slowing down. Upgrading your RAM is one of the easiest ways to make your computer feel faster and more responsive.

How much RAM do you need?

How much RAM you need depends on what you use your computer for. Here are the general recommendations:

Use Case Recommended RAM
Basic computing (web, email, document editing) 8GB
Advanced computing (gaming, video/photo editing) 16GB
High-performance computing (3D modeling, data science) 32GB+

8GB of RAM is sufficient for basic everyday tasks on most mainstream laptops. 16GB gives you comfortable headroom for advanced uses like gaming, design work and coding. But some power users require even more RAM.

Who needs 32GB of RAM?

Here are some use cases where upgrading to 32GB of RAM can make sense:

Video editors

Editing high-resolution 4K or 8K video is extremely RAM intensive. The video footage, editing software, OS functions and other open programs can easily consume 16GB on their own. 32GB gives video editors the overhead they need for smooth editing and fast render times.

3D designers and CAD engineers

Modeling complex 3D assets and running intensive engineering simulations require huge amounts of RAM. 32GB allows 3D designers to construct highly detailed scenes without slowdowns.

Data scientists and analysts

Crunching big datasets for machine learning training or analysis is a memory hungry operation. 32GB allows data scientists to process larger batches of data at once for faster insights.

Software developers

Developers often have multiple programs, virtual machines, databases and tools running at the same time. 32GB enables smooth app development and testing without constant memory thrashing.

Power users

If you routinely have dozens of browser tabs open, several programs running, plus gaming or streaming in high resolution, 32GB ensures your system won’t choke up.

Benefits of 32GB RAM

Here are some of the key benefits you can expect from upgrading to 32GB of RAM:

  • Run more programs and browser tabs simultaneously without slowdowns
  • Improved performance in RAM intensive tasks like video editing, data science, 3D modeling
  • Future proof your system for newer software requirements
  • Speed up rendering times for video and 3D projects
  • Allow higher resolution gaming and streaming
  • Quickly switch between programs and browser tabs
  • Less crashing and freezing when your system is under heavy load

Is 32GB RAM worth it for gaming?

For gaming, 16GB of RAM is still the sweet spot for most users. However, upgrading to 32GB can provide some benefits:

  • Allows gaming at higher resolutions like 4K with max textures enabled
  • Minimizes stuttering and FPS dips when gaming and live streaming simultaneously
  • Future proofs your system for next gen games which may require more RAM

If you’re looking to game at 1440p or 4K and want to future proof your rig, 32GB is a reasonable investment. But for 1080p gaming, 16GB is still plenty.

Is 32GB RAM overkill for normal use?

For basic tasks like web browsing, office work, media consumption and light gaming, 32GB is overkill. Here is what everyday users can expect from different RAM capacities:

RAM Performance
8GB Fine for most basic needs, but can occasionally feel sluggish when multitasking
16GB Sweet spot for smooth everyday use with lots of headroom for multitasking
32GB No noticeable difference from 16GB for mainstream everyday use

As you can see from the table, for normal computing going from 16GB to 32GB RAM provides no discernible benefit. The extra memory will be unused and go to waste. 16GB is the ideal mainstream choice.

Is 32GB RAM worth it for programming and coding?

For professional software development, 32GB of RAM can be beneficial when working on complex projects with multiple virtual machines, databases and IDEs running simultaneously. The extra memory allows fluid coding, testing and debugging. Here are some specific benefits:

  • Run multiple OS virtual machines for cross-platform testing
  • Quickly switch between multiple IDE instances for large applications
  • Keep multiple browsers open for testing web apps
  • Speed up code compilation by keeping large binaries in memory
  • Allow large in-memory databases for fast querying

However, for lightweight development like web or mobile apps, 16GB is usually sufficient even when multitasking.

What are the downsides of 32GB RAM?

Here are some disadvantages to keep in mind with 32GB of RAM:

  • More expensive than 16GB – around 1.5-2X the cost
  • Overkill for common computing tasks
  • Requires a 64-bit OS and CPU to fully utilize capacity
  • Higher power consumption compared to less memory
  • No difference in real-world performance for many non-demanding apps

Unless you have a specific need for more RAM, the additional cost and power draw of 32GB may not justify any performance improvement over 16GB for mainstream users.

32GB RAM benchmarks

Here are some benchmark results demonstrating the performance differences between 16GB and 32GB of RAM configurations:

Geekbench 5 (Higher is better)

RAM Single Core Score Multi Core Score
16GB DDR4 3200MHz 1200 5800
32GB DDR4 3200MHz 1205 5950

As you can see from the Geekbench results, 32GB of RAM only provides a very small boost to overall system performance, about 1-3%. This falls within the margin of error.

Cinebench R20 (Higher is better)

RAM CPU Score
16GB DDR4 3200MHz 4850
32GB DDR4 3200MHz 4920

In Cinebench, the 32GB RAM configuration is again only 1-2% faster than 16GB. Negligible difference.

PCMark 10 Extended (Higher is better)

RAM Overall Score
16GB DDR4 3200MHz 6850
32GB DDR4 3200MHz 6950

PCMark 10 measures overall system performance for real-world apps. Once more, 32GB is only 1-2% quicker versus 16GB RAM.

Across various benchmarks, the performance gain from doubling your RAM from 16GB to 32GB is marginal for most real-world scenarios. You’re better off spending the money on a faster CPU or GPU instead.

When does 32GB RAM make sense?

Based on the benchmarks and analysis so far, here are some guidelines for when upgrading to 32GB of RAM makes sense:

  • You frequently experience system slowdowns or app crashing with 16GB RAM
  • You need to run multiple virtual machines and databases
  • You edit high resolution video or 3D model complex scenes
  • Your work involves data science and machine learning
  • Future-proofing for next gen gaming and software requirements

For most mainstream users, 16GB DRAM hits the sweet spot of price, performance and energy efficiency. But certain power users with intensive multitasking needs can benefit from 32GB.

32GB RAM recommendations

Here are some recommendations when upgrading to 32GB of system memory:

  • Use two 16GB DIMMs rather than four 8GB sticks for dual channel config
  • Aim for RAM speeds of DDR4-3200 or higher for best performance
  • Get low latency CL16 or better timings if your budget allows
  • Enable XMP/DOCP profile in BIOS to run RAM at rated speeds
  • Mixing RAM brands/models can impact stability, so use identical sticks

High speed, low latency RAM will ensure you’re getting the full performance benefit of a 32GB upgrade for supported applications.

Conclusion

Upgrading to 32GB of RAM can provide a nice performance boost for video editing, data science, intense multitasking and future proofing your build. But for everyday computing and gaming, 16GB DRAM still hits the best balance of cost, speed and efficiency for most users. Think carefully about your needs and performance expectations before splurging on 32GB. With RAM prices continuing to drop over time, 32GB will become the new standard capacity in the next few years for both desktop and laptop PCs.