When it comes to building your PC (Personal Computer) for gaming, most people will look at RAM (Random Access Memory) to increase performance. Thus, a higher RAM increases FPS (Frames Per Second). It increases gaming performance.
In This Article
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Frame rates are affected due to slow data transfer or faster.
- Depending on the quality and requirement of the games RAM plays off the frames.
- Single, double, and quad channel of RAM also affects the FPS
- The size of the RAM as per the requirement of the game affects the game.
5 Reasons Why RAM Affects FPS
1. Data Transfer Speed
You will need at least 16 GB of RAM to maximize your FPS without going overboard because RAM will affect frame rates. FPS is impacted by several factors, including RAM size.
For optimal performance, dual-channel your RAM. This would entail dividing your 16GB of RAM into 2 sticks and inserting them into appropriate RAM slots on your motherboard.
The difference in FPS if you used one 16GB stick of RAM instead of two 8GB sticks is significant. Another important factor is speed, which is vital for all computing tasks.
The faster your RAM is, the faster it can transfer data to your CPU, which then transfers that data to your GPU.
Slow RAM can throw off this balance of your components and lead to a bottleneck that significantly reduces your frame rate.
Fortunately, getting great performance does not require having the most expensive and fastest RAM available.
For good FPS, you only need RAM running at 2666 MHz, but getting 3200 MHz is advised if you want to future-proof your build.
The best RAM for a low-cost build is 16GB of 2666 MHz RAM and 32GB with 3600 MHz RAM is the best option for the future.
2. Game Requirements
FPS can be influenced by how much RAM you have in terms of gigabytes, but an increase in FPS is largely dependent on how much you currently have.
You will immediately notice a difference between 8GB and 16GB; it is an amazing jump.
Even a 16GB to 32GB upgrade, though, can feel quite meager. Getting 32GB of RAM is typically recommended to future-proof your build.
Requirements for games are increasing, and many more recent games no longer support 4GB.
In a not-too-distant future, with 8GB being the new minimum, we might even witness that getting sucked up by the high demands of upcoming games.
Although 32GB is generally thought to last you a much longer time, 16GB is the maximum you will currently need and it will last you for a very long time.
Additionally, if you use Google Chrome, that is already close to 2GB. Google Chrome is ever-expanding, and might eventually consume an entire stick of RAM.
Make sure to purchase two 8 GB sticks so that you can easily purchase two more sticks if you ever need to upgrade.
3. Single Channel & Dual Channel
The layout of RAM that makes it appear as though a RAM stick has been put in every other slot is known as dual channeling RAM, and it is incredibly easy to implement.
However, your motherboard may determine a precise dual-channel layout.
The layout is typically A2 or B2, but occasionally it may be another layout, which your motherboard’s instructions should explain.
It also does not hurt to double-check your motherboard to make sure it supports dual-channel, which is a very common feature now.
A CPU that supports dual-channel RAM is also required.
The biggest RAM upgrade you could make with the biggest impact on FPS is to go from single-channel to dual-channel if your RAM is currently single-channel.
Just bear in mind that if you do decide to upgrade, it is best to use two RAM sticks that are of the same speed and capacity; otherwise, things might not go as planned.
Your system will select a slower RAM speed if one RAM stick is slower than your other, preventing your faster RAM stick from performing to its full potential.
4. Quad Channel
It is possible that a different CPU that supports quad-channeling would result in a greater FPS boost. To find out if it is possible, your CPU would have to be just as potent in games.
Although they do not have as many threads and cores, many CPUs that can quad-channel RAM are still very good for other tasks. Additionally, such CPUs are better for productivity in general and are not designed to excel in games.
Your CPU usage will increase with quad-channel usage because there will be more information to process, but this should not be a big deal since most CPUs that support it are quite powerful.
5. Ram Size Compare to Games Installed
The answer to this question is yes, in some circumstances and depending on how much RAM you have.
Games need a specific quantity of memory to function. Games can differ in how much memory they require to function. While other games might not require nearly as much memory, some games might.
Additionally, how much memory a game uses depends on the settings you use to play it. If you want to play your favorite games at their highest settings, it will take up more memory than if you play them at their lowest settings.
In terms of value for money, 8-16GB of RAM is still likely the best option if you are building a new gaming computer or upgrading your current setup.
If your budget allows for it, choosing over 16GB of RAM may make sense if you are also doing graphic design or video editing.
Adding more RAM can boost your FPS in some circumstances and faster RAM can boost your performance in some circumstances.
Not every game or application will see an increase in framerate and system performance as a result.
However, it will shield you from those games and applications where having more memory is beneficial.
Conclusion
Now you know why RAM affects FPS and have sufficient information to make an informed decision about whether you wish to upgrade your RAM and other components, immediately or gradually.
You can build your system yourself or avail services of an expert to customize it according to your requirements.