16GB is the minimum for gaming and everyday use. 32GB is the sweet spot for gaming plus multitasking, streaming, and content creation — and it's affordable in 2026. 64GB+ is for heavy video editing, 3D rendering, virtual machines, and large datasets. Most gamers are best served by a 32GB (2×16GB) kit.
DDR4 vs DDR5 — which should I buy?
It depends on your CPU and motherboard. Intel 12th–14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 7000+ support DDR5, which offers higher bandwidth and is the choice for new builds. DDR4 remains cheaper and is fine for older platforms (AMD AM4, Intel up to 12th Gen). You cannot mix the two — the motherboard socket determines which you need.
Yes, especially on AMD Ryzen. For DDR5, 6000 MHz CL30 is the sweet spot for Ryzen 7000/9000. For DDR4, 3600 MHz CL16 is ideal. Faster RAM improves 1% lows (frame consistency) more than average FPS. Our Value Score factors both capacity and speed against price.