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Is 16GB of DDR5 RAM too little for After Effects and everyday use?

September 1, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MellowCedar47
I'm using a single 16GB Lexar DDR5-5200 stick with a Ryzen 5 8400F, and I'm seeing very high memory usage. After Effects pushes RAM usage to around 95% or more, while a browser with four or five tabs can reach roughly 70%. Is this mainly because I only have 16GB, or could running a single DDR5 stick be causing the problem? I'm considering switching to an AM4 system with 32GB of RAM, but I'm not sure whether that would actually be a better choice.
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Answers

NorthwindEcho6
Before changing to AM4, check the rest of the build carefully. The Ryzen 5 8400F is an entry-level AM5 processor with some limitations compared with other AM5 chips, but moving to an older platform solely to get 32GB may not be worthwhile. A 500GB hard drive will also make the system feel slow, so upgrading to an SSD should be a priority alongside adding RAM.

MellowCedar47: I’m planning to add a 256GB SSD soon. I’ll compare the cost of a second RAM stick and the SSD before considering a platform change.

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PixelHarbor2
This is simply a capacity issue, not a DDR4-versus-DDR5 problem. Windows can use several gigabytes before you open anything, and After Effects is demanding. With only 16GB, hitting 90–95% is expected. Upgrading to 32GB on your current platform would make more sense than changing platforms just for the memory.
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QuietOrbit9
A single stick can reduce memory bandwidth because you’re running in single-channel mode, but it isn’t what’s making the usage percentage spike. Add a second matching 16GB stick if possible, ideally as a 2x16GB kit, and enable the proper memory profile in the BIOS. That gives you both more capacity and dual-channel performance.
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CopperVale31
For basic browsing, 16GB can still work, but it’s becoming the practical minimum on a modern Windows installation. After Effects is one of the applications where 32GB is a much more comfortable starting point, especially if you work with larger projects. Close programs or increase the page file temporarily, but the real fix is more RAM.

MellowCedar47: That makes sense. I was worried the memory behavior was specific to DDR5, but I’ll look into adding another 16GB stick first.

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