Summary
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Microsoft called 16GB a practical baseline, and 32GB a “no-concern” upgrade for gaming PCs.
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Gamers refused – many scoffed, advised to spend hundreds more on RAM.
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Microsoft deleted the article after the backlash; no Wayback snapshot saved.
How much RAM does a gaming PC need? I’d say it’s about how long is a one-line question, but there’s really a limit to the minimum amount of RAM you can use while gaming. You’ll get different answers simply depending on who you ask and their tolerance for performance issues.
Microsoft has made its position clear: it says it believes 16GB is the starting point and 32GB is the sweet spot. However, the company seems to have struck a bad chord with the gaming community, as it has since deleted the article in which it made these claims.
Microsoft backs off 32GB “don’t worry” advice
Who has money for 32 GB of RAM?
As seen Latest WindowsMicrosoft previously had an article advising gamers on how much RAM their computer should have. There, he made a pretty bold claim about how much RAM your rig should have:
For most gamers, 16GB of RAM is a practical starting point. If you run Discord, browsers, or streaming tools alongside your games, stepping up to 32GB of RAM helps. This additional memory gives new titles more breathing room as memory requirements continue to increase.
Microsoft later concluded that “16GB of RAM is basic; 32GB is a ‘don’t bother’ upgrade.” And the article slept for a while Latest Windows saw and brought it to people’s attention. Players voiced their opinions on the stance; some agreed, some disagreed, but whatever their opinions, they all came to the conclusion that asking people to drop a few hundred bucks on RAM is not a good look. And Microsoft apparently agreed, as it removed the article from its site without a Wayback Machine snapshot to protect it.
