As a gamer and tech-enthusiast, we are always looking for better performance in our gaming experience and get higher FPS. The more, the merrier.
Nobody wants to sacrifice their FPS for graphics quality. So, can RAM affect fps?
RAM plays the most prominent role after CPU & GPU in your system’s performance. Let’s breakdown how RAM has an effect on FPS with some quick facts considering different scenarios:
Does RAM affect FPS?
RAM serves as a storage for temporary files, which frequently need to be stored during gameplay. The RAM can retrieve temporary files much faster than Solid State Drives (SSD) and Hard Disk Drives (HDD).
The temporary files are stored on the hard drive when the memory runs out of capacity. As the hard drive is slower than the memory module, your FPS takes a hit.
A certain amount of memory is required to run a Game but it varies from game to game. High-end games require a lot of memory, but some games require nothing compared to high-end ones.
Can the amount of RAM affect FPS?
The question should be: “If you have low RAM installed, will increasing RAM increase your FPS?” not “more RAM can increase FPS?”
If your system has a RAM of, let’s say, 4GB, you will face specific bottlenecks in your gaming performance with high-end games. But if you upgrade and leap from 4GB to 8GB or 8GB to 16GB, the difference is overwhelming and can be noticed instantly.
But if you already have 16 gigs of RAM, adding more to it will be underwhelming. It will increase performance but will not increase your FPS. Why? Because there aren’t many games that require more than 16GB of RAM.
Experts suggest that, to future-proof your build, getting 32GB will be enough to future-proof your system. As the industry grows, standards are being highly evolved, and minimum requirements of games will increase eventually, with time.
Will more RAM make your PC faster?
Imagine a scenario where, in a small room with multiple entrances, there are 50 people inside it. But there is only one exit. What will be the result of this?
The room is likely to stay crowded most of the time. But what happens if the room has two or more exits? The situation is expected to change to be less crowded.
Here the exit point is your CPU. If your CPU’s processing speed is not high enough, it will always be crowded for your RAM with the temporary data files. Resulting bottlenecks.
That is why and how you should consider your CPU and its processing speed before randomly increasing your RAM with high frequency.
Does RAM clock speed impact games?
The performance largely depends on the frequency of your RAM setup, current RAM capacity & the software you are using.
Higher clock speed allows file processing and operations to be performed quickly and enables the memory module to process the data faster.
But, the impact of the clock speed of RAM on gaming performance is hardly overwhelming. But again, if your CPU and motherboard are not optimized and suitable for higher RAM clock speeds, then neither will you be enjoying any improved performance in gaming, rather bottlenecks.
Does RAM speed matter for Gaming?
Quick question: what do you think matters most for gaming? RAM size or RAM speed?
While building your setup, which one should you consider? A RAM with 8GB 2133MHz? or 8GB with 2666MHz?
Here 2133MHz is the RAM frequency or RAM speed, which means the number of commands it can process per second.
The answer to the question above is: The higher the frequency, the less time it takes for files to retrieve.
Dual-Channel RAM, Does it affect FPS?
Implementing a Dual Channel RAM setup is very simple to execute. It is a layout in which the RAM sticks are placed in every other slot. It depends on your motherboard, to be precise.
The new generation of motherboards supports dual channeling as it has become very common. But it is always a safe and wise move to double-check if your motherboard supports it or not.
Then comes the CPU. Many CPUs in newer generations support this feature, but many do lack the support for Quad-Channeling RAM.
If you game using integrated graphics and use of single-channel RAM, upgrading to a dual-channel can be the most significant upgrade you can provide to your system. The most significant impact will be on your FPS.
The ideal way to use dual-channeling is to use 2 RAM sticks of the same speed and quantity. Failure to do so can result differently in terms of performance.
If one stick of RAM is higher in clock speed and size than the other, the system will choose the lower RAM speed, limiting the higher stick to reach its full potential.
Also, check out our expert’s recommended best Aura Sync compatible RAM for gaming freaks.
Does Quad-Channeling increase FPS?
If you don’t have a high-end, high-power CPU, quad-channeling your RAM is impossible.
But the increase of FPS from quad-channeling might be bigger on CPUs that support quad-channeling in terms of theory.
The CPUs that support quad-channeling have more threads and cores and aren’t good for games. For example, The AMD Threadripper, which is better for productivity, and gaming, is not the area meant for AMD Threadripper to shine in.
Check out our separate post on will motherboard turn on without RAM.
What is DDR4?
DDR stands for “double data rate,” meaning that there are two data transfers or every one clock cycle.
DDR4 RAM is the 4th iteration of RAM. Previously, we have encountered DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3. All of the previous generations had differences in technology which made them better than the last. Fun Fact: None of them are compatible with each other.
If you have a motherboard that supports DDR3, you have to use a DDR3 RAM stick; you can’t upgrade to DDR4 on that same motherboard.
You have to have other supporting parts which will exclusively support your DDR4 RAM type currently.
Finding your Sweet Spot.
In the segment of RAM, there are many fine details, including CAS latency, speed, channeling/installing the ram, and the size and quantity.
If you are looking to find the sweet spot, select the RAM of your need; my recommendation as an expert would be to get 16GB of 2666MHz RAM installed in dual-channel format.
But to make your build/rig more future-proof, not worrying for the next few generations, then go for a 32GB of 3600MHz in dual or quad-channel.
But make sure to have all other components to support the DDR4 stick with their frequency.
Check out some of the best 3200 MHz RAMs for a faster gaming experience.
Final Thoughts
RAM does affect FPS and a gamer’s gaming performance, but only when the gamer has an insufficient amount from the beginning.
After upgrading to a certain amount of RAM, the performance difference becomes negligible. Only requirements differ from gaming to productivity usage, such as rendering videos or studio work, where the higher amount of RAM is undoubtedly a definitive advantage.
