I'm in the process of building my first PC in over 15 years. I've got a solid setup with a 9800x3d CPU and a 5070ti GPU, along with 32GB of 6000MHz CL36 RAM. I found the chance to add another 32GB of the same RAM for about $130 less than similar 32GB kits. While I mainly plan to use the PC for gaming and intend to keep it for at least six years, I'm wondering if I should go ahead and upgrade to 64GB now. I don't foresee needing that much RAM right away, but with RAM prices on the rise and games becoming more demanding, does it make sense to invest in more RAM as a hedge against future price volatility?
5 Answers
Most gamers today are fine with 32GB; 64GB is more of a luxury unless you're doing heavy multitasking. Sure, games might require more RAM down the line, but as of now, you likely wouldn’t see much benefit. If you're worried about future-proofing, I'd wait until prices stabilize before committing to that upgrade.
It's true, times are changing, but keep in mind 64GB will be overkill for just gaming.
It's true that 64GB isn't typically necessary for gaming yet. Plus, with future developments like DDR6 on the horizon, investing in 64GB of DDR5 might not seem future-proof in a few years. Just get what you need now and upgrade later on if necessary!
I've got 64GB for future-proofing, but you're right—it's substantial overhead.
Totally agree, sometimes less is more with RAM!
If you're planning on using the 9800X3D and 5070TI together, you might be better off investing in a better GPU rather than more RAM right now. As for RAM, unless your usage significantly increases, I'd suggest sticking to 32GB for a while longer.
Thanks for that insight! Looking at GPU options next.
That makes a lot of sense; I should prioritize GPU over RAM.
This isn't a good time to buy extra RAM, especially if you don't need it right away. Prices will likely drop over the next couple of years, and unless you're doing something that requires a lot of memory like streaming or running many apps concurrently, 32GB should be plenty. You could find better deals later down the line!
Good point! I think I’ll wait it out.
Honestly, it seems like a gamble. Right now, most gamers won't need 64GB; even 32GB is often more than enough. Prices may drop in the coming year, so you might be better off waiting unless you really have a specific need for that much RAM right now. Besides, who knows what the future holds for RAM prices?
That makes sense, I guess I'll just stick with the 32GB for now.
Yeah, I've had times where I've opened a ton of tabs and come close to maxing out 32GB, but most gaming doesn't require that much.
Great! I thought I was missing out by not upgrading.