01
Preface
As we stand in the year 2025, many people experience anxiety over video memory capacity when considering a new graphics card, worrying that 8GB of VRAM might not be enough, and often find themselves torn between 8GB and 16GB VRAM versions.
In addition, there is the long-standing question of how much system memory affects gaming performance — is it really necessary to go for 32GB of RAM? This article will share the latest gaming performance comparison between 16GB and 32GB DDR5 memory, for those interested.
02
Test Platform Configuration
The main configuration is as follows:
The processor is a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the motherboard is an MSI MPG X670E CARBON, memory configurations are 16GB DDR5 6000 MHz and 32GB DDR5 6000 MHz, the graphics card is a GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16GB, storage includes two Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSDs, and the operating system is Windows 11.
03
Game Testing (Is 16GB RAM Enough?)
Seven games were tested using 1440P quality settings. In the following image comparisons, the left side represents the 16GB memory platform, and the right side represents the 32GB memory platform.
The first game is Cyberpunk 2077.
The 16GB memory platform achieved an average frame rate of 53 FPS, with a minimum instantaneous FPS of 41, frame time of 17.9ms, CPU usage at 41%, power consumption at 74W, temperature at 66°C, memory usage at 9.7GB, GPU usage at 98%, VRAM usage at 10.1GB, GPU power at 278W, and temperature at 58°C.
The 32GB memory platform achieved an average of 53 FPS, minimum FPS of 43, frame time of 16.6ms, CPU usage at 37%, power at 75W, temperature at 62°C, memory usage at 12.0GB, GPU usage at 97%, VRAM usage at 10.0GB, GPU power at 275W, and temperature at 62°C.
In this game, the 32GB platform had 4% lower CPU usage, 2.3GB higher memory usage, similar GPU and VRAM usage, 3W lower GPU power, and 4°C higher temperature.
Both platforms had the same average FPS; the 32GB platform had 2 FPS higher minimum FPS and slightly better frame time, with no significant overall advantage.
The second game is Microsoft Flight Simulator.
The 16GB platform averaged 66 FPS, with a minimum of 57 FPS, frame time of 15.3ms, CPU usage at 35%, power at 70W, temperature at 59°C, memory usage at 15.0GB, GPU usage at 98%, VRAM at 11.0GB, GPU power at 259W, and temperature at 60°C.
The 32GB platform had 68 FPS average, 62 FPS minimum, 16.0ms frame time, CPU at 30%, power at 75W, temperature at 60°C, memory usage at 17.1GB, GPU usage at 98%, VRAM at 11.0GB, power at 261W, temperature at 60°C.
Here, the 32GB platform had 5% lower CPU usage, 2.1GB more RAM usage, similar GPU and VRAM usage, 2W higher power, same temperature.
It had 2 FPS higher average FPS, 5 FPS higher minimum FPS, with slightly worse frame time. Overall, results were similar, with no clear advantage.
The third game is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
16GB platform: 60 FPS average, 40 FPS minimum, 15.7ms frame time, 63% CPU, 89W power, 66°C, 14.7GB memory, 98% GPU, 8.6GB VRAM, 239W GPU power, 51°C.
32GB platform: 67 FPS average, 45 FPS minimum, 17.7ms frame time, 48% CPU, 92W power, 68°C, 19.0GB memory, 98% GPU, 8.7GB VRAM, 235W GPU power, 57°C.
32GB platform had 15% lower CPU usage, 4.3GB higher RAM usage, similar GPU/VRAM, 4W lower GPU power, 6°C higher temperature.
It showed a 7 FPS higher average and 5 FPS higher minimum FPS, with slightly worse frame time — offering a small but clear performance edge.
The fourth game is Light and Shadow: Expedition 33.
16GB platform: 59 FPS average, 39 FPS minimum, 17.6ms frame time, 27% CPU, 68W power, 63°C, 12.2GB RAM, 96% GPU, 8.3GB VRAM, 246W, 57°C.
32GB platform: 59 FPS average, 49 FPS minimum, 17.3ms frame time, 24% CPU, 67W power, 61°C, 11.7GB RAM, 98% GPU, 7.8GB VRAM, 248W, 58°C.
32GB had 3% lower CPU, 0.5GB less RAM used, 2% higher GPU usage, 0.5GB less VRAM, 2W more GPU power, 1°C higher temperature.
Both had the same average FPS; 32GB had 10 FPS higher minimum FPS and similar frame time — providing a stability advantage.
The fifth game is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
16GB platform: 67 FPS average, 34 FPS minimum, 13.9ms frame time, 57% CPU, 82W, 60°C, 14.7GB RAM, 97% GPU, 8.8GB VRAM, 212W, 52°C.
32GB platform: 67 FPS average, 50 FPS minimum, 14.7ms frame time, 37% CPU, 80W, 62°C, 17.3GB RAM, 98% GPU, 8.5GB VRAM, 222W, 54°C.
32GB used 20% less CPU, 2.6GB more RAM, similar GPU usage, 0.3GB less VRAM, 10W more power, 2°C higher temp.
Same average FPS; 32GB had 16 FPS higher minimum FPS and similar frame time — offering better stability.
The sixth game is Hogwarts Legacy.
16GB platform: 61 FPS average, 24 FPS minimum, 20.9ms frame time, 33% CPU, 73W, 59°C, 14.2GB RAM, 88% GPU, 11.8GB VRAM, 230W, 53°C.
32GB platform: 63 FPS average, 37 FPS minimum, 16.4ms frame time, 29% CPU, 74W, 58°C, 21.7GB RAM, 89% GPU, 11.9GB VRAM, 229W, 54°C.
32GB had 4% lower CPU, 7.5GB more RAM, similar GPU/VRAM usage, 1W less power, 1°C higher temp.
It had 2 FPS higher average FPS, 13 FPS higher minimum FPS, and 4ms lower frame time — showing clear stability advantage.
The seventh game is The Last of Us Part II.
16GB platform: 117 FPS average, 2 FPS minimum, 8.3ms frame time, 70% CPU, 107W, 75°C, 10.9GB RAM, 98% GPU, 9.4GB VRAM, 256W, 57°C.
32GB platform: 120 FPS average, 74 FPS minimum, 8.2ms frame time, 38% CPU, 78W, 64°C, 13.1GB RAM, 99% GPU, 9.4GB VRAM, 250W, 56°C.
32GB used 32% less CPU, 2.2GB more RAM, similar GPU/VRAM usage, 6W lower power, 1°C lower temperature.
It delivered 3 FPS higher average FPS and a massive 72 FPS improvement in minimum FPS — with equal frame time and excellent stability advantage.
04
Comparison Conclusion
From the above tests, it is evident that in resource-intensive blockbuster games, the 32GB memory platform delivers higher minimum instantaneous frame rates, lower frame times, better overall stability, and generally lower CPU loads. Additionally, the 16GB memory platform experienced crashes and application exits in some game tests.
In summary, if you’re only playing lightweight games with low requirements, 16GB of memory is still sufficient in 2025. However, if you play high-end titles and demand a better gaming experience, 32GB of memory is essential. This is the conclusion of this article, for reference only.
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