2x4gb vs 2x8gb ram for gaming

[wutangfan]

So I'm building a new gaming system and was wondering if I should use 16 gb or 8gb of ram. If I get 2x4gb of ram that gives me enough for gaming and allows me to upgrade to 16gb in the future if needed. The problem is when I do the upgrade I'll have 4 sticks and I find that more parts = more problems. If I go with 2x8gb of ram I don't have to worry about an upgrade to ram in the future and I just feel more comfortable having less parts in my computers.

So what do you guys think? Should I got with 2 sticks of 4gb and add another 2 in the future or just go with the 2 sticks of 8gb and not have to worry about it?

 

[Blaise170]

16GB gaming is still quite a bit away, most recent games are currently using around 6GB or less. I'd suggest just buying 8GB, and by the time you need to upgrade it you'll probably be able to just get 16GB for the same price you can get 8GB now.

 

[rage33]

I think 8GB is a pretty good amount of RAM, despite a few new titles that recommend 6GB of ram most games will run perfectly well on 4GB. For gaming I think 8GB is the sweet spot right now. Plus save a bit of money and put it towards a SSD or more powerful GPU

 

[Nada190]

Get the 2x8GB now, I was originally going to do the same with getting 8gb at first but decided to just go for the 16gb from the beginning.

 

[Blaise170]

This benchmark gives real world tests.

As you can see, there is no need for 16GB, it even performs worse in the Sim 3 vs. 8GB.

 

[CaptainTom]

Mark my words: 8GB will last you till the end of the next console gen (5+ years).

 

[wutangfan]

How far away do you think 16gb gaming is?

Really?! 5 years? That long? Well then I don't have to worry about 16gb as far as gaming. By then I'd have a completely new computer (except for maybe my case).

 

[Blaise170]

How far away do you think 16gb gaming is?

Considering we are just now touching into the 6GB-8GB range, I'd say several years at least.

 

[wutangfan]

Thanks for the help, I chose your answer as the best solution Blaise.

 

[Blaise170]

Thanks for the help, I chose your answer as the best solution Blaise.

Thanks. Hope I helped.

 

[CaptainTom]

How far away do you think 16gb gaming is?

Really?! 5 years? That long? Well then I don't have to worry about 16gb as far as gaming. By then I'd have a completely new computer (except for maybe my case).

Exactly. Even Metro: LL only uses ~2GB of RAM. It is because RAM use is directly tied to how much consoles can use. They will have 8GB so that should be plenty.