Do I need 16 GB for gaming?

[Justice2K]

Hey all,

So I just upgraded the GPU in my 15-month-old build from a GTX 970 to a 980 Ti. I was wondering if I actually need to consider upgrading my memory at this moment. Everyone told me during my build that no game needs more than 8 GB of memory, but I see 16 in darn near every PC gamer review. Thoughts?

Build:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.40 Ghz)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H LGA 1150 Z97 Ultra Durable UEFI DualBIOS ATX Motherboard

Optical: LG Electronics Optical DVD Drive GH24NSB0B

SSD: Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 2.5" 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT512MX100SSD1

Power Supply: Corsair CX750 Builder Series ATX 80 PLUS Bronze Certified Power Supply

Graphics Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti G1 Gaming 6GB WINDFORCE 3X OC EDITION

HD: Seagate Desktop 3 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 7200 RPM 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST3000DM001

RAM: Patriot 8GB(2x4GB) Viper III DDR3 1866MHz (PC3 15000) CL9 Desktop Memory With Red Gaming Heatsink- PV38G186C9KRD

Case: Corsair Carbide Series Black 300R Windowed Computer Case (CC-9011017-WW)

 

[ThatVietGuy]

You don't need 16GB.

I've had 16GB in my system for a long time and I've never come close to using even 6GB while gaming.

 

[atomicWAR]

You don't need 16GB.

I've had 16GB in my system for a long time and I've never come close to using even 6GB while gaming.

not sure i agree with that. I run 16GB with a 3930k. Now i can agree with most of the time at present, no you won't need it it. But some games for me have busted the 7.5-8Gb barrier. Far Cry Primal (7.6GB max observed), Arkham Asylum (10GB max observed)...And a select few others newer AAA games not listed. Point is if your building your PC now 8GB is the bare minimum I would install with the understanding I would need 8GB more in the next year. Personally I plan on a new build this year post broadwell e/Zen launch...and i will go with 32GB, with the understanding i won't need 32GB until my rig is close to upgrade time but I also keep my old machines for LAN gaming at home with friends so even after it's intial 3-4 year run as my primary Rig it will be in operation another 2-3 years.

 

[atomicWAR]

Also FYI when I built my Rig listed above 4GB was the typical recommended ram spec, 8GB was forward thinking and 16GB was considered ludicrous for gaming, now not so much. Take it for what it is worth.

 

[ChaoticWolf]

At the same time you do, and you don't. Some games probably like to take up a lot. And when roaming around windows, it could be useful as sometimes tasks in windows like to use up some ram

 

[Blackink]

Put the 16GB's in and stop worrying.......

It'll be all set for the future games that come out.

 

[ChaoticWolf]

What he said pretty much

 

[atomicWAR]

yeah 16GB should be good for 3 years or more.

 

[Tradesman1]

16 GB is the way to go, more and more developers are utilizing DRAM more

 

[scout_03]

sell the one you already have aand get a dual 8 gig set for 16 gig total .