Performance Matters More Than Graphics
Every gamer will tell you that performance is the most important aspect of gaming. Graphics and special effects take a back seat when the game runs at a low frame rate or experiences sudden drops. Many people think that upgrading the graphics card or the processor will solve these issues. However, they often overlook that RAM is just as important. Why?
How RAM Affects Performance?
Let’s assume you have a very powerful and fast processor, but what good is it if your RAM has a small capacity or a low frequency? The processor will then be limited by how quickly it can access data from the cache and how much data it can store. It’s no surprise that you’ll experience frame drops while gaming, and the game itself may take a long time to load. I realized this firsthand.
The Importance of Sufficient RAM
It’s generally accepted that 4GB of RAM is the minimum to run Windows properly, and 8GB is considered the baseline for a smooth experience. That’s exactly what I had. However, from the very beginning, I noticed how much my processor and graphics card were struggling. 8GB of RAM just wasn’t enough. Frame drops in games became a daily occurrence.
The Upgrade and Its Impact
Eventually, I decided to spend 100 $ to upgrade my RAM to 32 GB , and I noticed a significant improvement. Yes, programs now take up more memory than before—for example, my browser went from 700MB to 1GB. But the trade-off was worth it because things run much smoother. Even Discord (known for poor optimization) started running like butter. The biggest change, however, was in my gaming experience. Let’s take Euro Truck Simulator 2 as an example. Before the upgrade, I frequently experienced frame drops in more demanding locations. After the upgrade, those drops were drastically reduced, and overall, the frame rate increased.
The Takeaway
So the lesson here is—when building or upgrading your computer, pay attention to whether you’re getting enough fast RAM. Don’t skimp on cheap, slow RAM, as it will severely impact your PC’s performance in the long run.
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