No, 4GB RAM is Not Enough in 2024 for Gaming and Creation
As a tech specialist and avid gamer, I get asked a lot – can my PC or laptop still run smoothly with just 4 gigs of RAM in 2024? Well, let me make this clear for current and aspiring gamers based on hardware trends…the answer is no – you ideally need a minimum of 16GB DDR4 RAM today for gaming.
Here‘s why most modern systems need an upgrade from entry-level 4GB memory kits to fully unleash their potential, especially for AAA gaming, video editing, 3D modeling, music production and any intensive content creation:
Why 4GB RAM Fails to Keep Up in 2024
A key resource holding most base rigs and budget laptops back from buttery performance is RAM capacity. My research into system requirements of newly launched and upcoming game titles shows that 4GB often fails to meet even the bare minimum specs:
| Popular 2023 Game Release | RAM Needed for Min. Specs |
|---|---|
| Hogwarts Legacy | 16GB |
| Starfield | 8GB |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | 8GB |
| Street Fighter 6 | 8GB |
| Resident Evil 4 Remake | 12GB |
You need RAM not just for games themselves, but to run game launchers, VoIP chat, web browsers for guides or music alongside.
With Windows 11 now utilizing over 2GB RAM on startup, only 1-2GB remains Usable from a 4GB kit – leading to frustrating lag, crashes or restarts.
When Can You Still Get By With 4GB RAM?
If all you need is a basic office/school laptop or secondary web browsing device, 4 gigs remains usable but slow. For kids doing homework or grandparents browsing and emailing, entry-level 4GB DDR4 RAM can suffice.
But in any use case requiring solid multitasking, quick launch times or stable sustained performance – avoid 4GB RAM laptops for work or as primary PCs.
Even if gameplay is not your focus, content creators working extensively with:
- Photo/Video editors like Photoshop, Premiere Pro
- 3D software such as Blender, Maya
- Music production tools like Ableton or Pro Tools
Require 8GB+ RAM for smooth workflow, so entry-level rigs won‘t cut it.
Upgrading from 4GB to 16GB DDR4 RAM does provide a very noticeable speed boost for both productivity and gaming.
Future-Proof RAM Targets in 2024
For future-proofing PCs in 2024, 16GB DDR4 RAM is the ideal sweet spot while 32GB is recommended for 4K video editing workstations or high refresh rate 1440p gaming.
The hardware demands of Windows OS and AAA gaming titles will only rise further – with leaked specs of 2024‘s Elder Scrolls 6 listing 16GB RAM as its minimum requirement.
We could see Windows 12 launch in coming years too, which may set 8GB as the new baseline RAM needed just to boot properly.
This indicates that 4GB RAM laptops and pre-builts will soon become largely obsolete for consumers seeking out high fidelity gaming, VR readiness or seamless creative experiences.
Making The Upgrade from 4GB RAM in 2024
Thankfully, upgrading RAM is among the easiest boosts you can provide mid-range/budget gaming rigs and laptops:
- Determine your motherboard‘s supported RAM type – likely DDR4 on modern setups
- Buy a fresh 8GB x 2 RAM kit for around $50, or a 16GB x 2 kit from $80 up
- Open panel, pop out the 4GB sticks, insert new RAM properly into slots
- Boot back up and enable XMP profile in BIOS to run RAM at full speed potential
With RAM prices set to fall further through 2023, this relatively low cost upgrade to 16/32GB RAM allows your full system hardware capabilities to shine.
It eliminates the RAM bottleneck plaguing setups clinging onto 4GB kits today, providing headroom for AAA gaming, stable creative workloads and breezy multitasking.
So leave 4GB RAM in the past where it belongs – and let your system stretch its legs with capacious, affordable 16GB DDR4 memory (or even faster DDR5) today!
