César Cadenas, an editor at ZDNet, recently outlined the recommended amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) capacity that is considered optimal for a personal computer in 2025.
Determining RAM Requirements by Use Case
Cadenas clarified that the ideal memory capacity hinges heavily on the computer`s intended use and the specific operating system (OS) it runs. He provided the following breakdown:
For a standard office device running Windows 11, 16 gigabytes (GB) of RAM is considered sufficient.
For systems using macOS and ChromeOS, due to the inherent optimizations of these platforms, an efficient setup can often be achieved with 8 GB of memory.
The Needs of Gamers and Creators
For intensive tasks such as modern video gaming, graphic design, or high-resolution video editing, significantly more memory is necessary. The technical reviewer strongly suggested opting for a computer with 32 GB of RAM in these scenarios.
“More RAM will ensure a smoother operation for demanding games and professional applications used for video editing,” the specialist emphasized.
Extreme Professional Requirements
Cadenas acknowledged that a limited subset of professionals might require extreme memory capacities, such as 48 GB or even 64 GB. These individuals typically engage in highly specialized tasks, including editing 8K resolution video, performing complex technical calculations, or other demanding professional workloads.
However, he concluded that for the vast majority of PC users, purchasing a system with more than 32 GB of memory would be redundant and excessive.
Market Context
This advice comes amid warnings regarding hardware costs. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney recently stated that rising prices for computer components, driven largely by the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) services, are poised to create significant difficulties for the video game market.
