How much RAM does a Windows 10 PC need?

RAM is an indispensable component for every computer or laptop with Windows 10. This Random Access Memory is the place where your PC temporarily stores files. When your Windows 10 PC becomes slow, it may be wise to install more RAM. But exactly how much memory is recommended? In this article we explain how much RAM your Windows 10 PC or laptop needs based on practical examples.

1GB RAM – Always too little

Ten years ago, 1GB of RAM may have been sufficient, but nowadays this is no longer the case. Although Microsoft indicates that 1 GB of memory meets the minimum system requirements of Windows 10 (32-bit version). In real-life situations this amount is rarely sufficient. The amount of RAM determines, among other things, how many programs can run simultaneously. With only 1GB of RAM you have just enough memory to use absolute basic applications such as Notepad and the browser. Reading e-mail will, for example, still work. But when you visit sites that demands a lot of power from your computer, there is a good chance that the PC will become slow. We therefore recommend that you always install more than 1 GB of RAM.

2GB RAM – Rarely sufficient

Is 2GB RAM much better? We don’t think so. According to Microsoft, 2GB RAM meets the minimum system requirements for the 64-bit version of Windows 10. However, in practice you will regularly run into the limitations of this amount. Although most applications are usable, multitasking remains virtually impossible. For example, opening multiple tabs simultaneously in the browser might work smoothly. But using multiple heavy tools at the same time is not an option. This will regularly be accompanied by crashes, delays and probably a lot of frustration. The same applies to running heavy applications such as games or video editing programs. In these cases, 2GB of memory is simply insufficient for Windows 10 computers.

4GB RAM – A stable basis

According to us, 4GB of memory is enough to run Windows 10 without too many problems. With this amount, running multiple (basic) applications at the same time is not a problem in most cases. However, are you planning to use heavy programs such as Adobe Photoshop and / or new video games? Then 4GB RAM may still be too little for your Windows 10 computer or laptop. RAM can then soon become the bottleneck, causing games to stutter, or applications to crash. If you want to use these heavier applications, we advise you to add a little extra in terms of RAM.

Extra information: Windows 10 32-bit systems can use a maximum of 4 GB RAM. This is due to limitations within the system. However, are you using the 64-bit version of Windows 10? Then you can use a maximum of 128 GB of RAM.

8GB RAM – Our advice

This is where it really starts to become fun for the serious computer user. Do you always want to have a computer that is fast and can run (almost) all applications without any problems? Then 8GB of memory is an excellent option. Activities such as gaming, editing photos and videos, or rendering are usually effortless. Only running the newest games at the highest, graphic settings is likely to be difficult. When you buy a computer or laptop in a specialist store these days, 8GB will almost always be the standard amount of RAM.

16GB RAM or more – Power

You may be wondering if more than 8 GB of RAM is useful, since 8 GB of RAM is usually more than sufficient. According to us, 16GB RAM is certainly necessary for various Windows 10 users. Do you play games on 4K, often work with CAD programs, or regularly use virtual reality? Then it is recommended to use (at least) 16GB RAM.

Does your computer function as a workstation or virtual machine? Then it may even be wise to use a minimum of 64GB RAM. However, in most cases you will need Windows Server as the operating system and not Windows 10.

Conclusion: How much RAM do I need?

So how much RAM your Windows 10 PC needs depends on the usage. In any case, SoftwareLicense4U advises to always use a minimum of 4GB, and preferably a minimum of 8GB RAM. This allows you to get the most out of your Windows 10 machine and you don’t have to worry about multitasking or errors. Are you still looking for the latest version of Windows 10? Then choose the reliable software from SoftwareLicense4U. We deliver 100% legal licenses at the lowest price. You will receive the license 24/7 within 5 minutes by e-mail.