Boosting FPS in Games: Can Adding 8GB RAM Improve Performance?

Many gamers wonder if adding an 8GB RAM stick can significantly increase their frame rates (FPS) in modern games, especially when their current setup consists of only one RAM slot occupied. In this article, we will explore whether adding 8GB RAM can help boost your performance, focusing on key factors like RAM configuration, dual-channel benefits, and potential bottlenecks.

Current RAM Configuration

Assuming you currently have one 8GB RAM stick installed, adding another 8GB stick would bring your total RAM capacity to 16GB. This upgrade can provide several benefits, particularly in memory-intensive applications and games. However, the extent to which this will enhance your game performance depends on various factors.

Dual Channel vs. Single Channel

Modern motherboards support dual-channel RAM modes, where two identical RAM sticks work together to deliver higher memory bandwidth. This configuration can significantly improve performance in certain scenarios, including gaming. By installing a second 8GB stick alongside your current 8GB stick, you can activate dual-channel mode. This setup can lead to smoother gameplay and potentially higher frame rates, especially in games that rely heavily on rapid data access.

Game Requirements

Many modern games require at least 16GB of RAM for optimal performance. If you are currently running with 8GB of RAM, upgrading to 16GB can help improve frame rates, particularly in open-world, resource-intensive games. This upgrade ensures that your system has sufficient memory to handle complex scenes, textures, and large files without slowing down, which can translate to more consistent and higher FPS.

Target FPS: Reaching 200 FPS in games is a significant goal, and it often depends on your hardware setup. While 8GB RAM can be a limiting factor, it is usually not the sole bottleneck in the system. If your CPU or GPU is lower-end, adding more RAM alone may not drastically increase your frame rate. Achieving consistent 200 FPS often requires a powerful GPU and CPU, in addition to adequate RAM.

Compatibility and Preparation

Before adding an 8GB RAM stick, ensure that your motherboard supports the RAM type (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) and that it is compatible with your current setup. Adding the RAM stick should be a straightforward process if the motherboard and RAM are compatible. Once installed, certain BIOS settings may need to be adjusted to fully utilize the dual-channel mode.

Conclusion

Adding an 8GB RAM stick can be a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you were previously running with less than 16GB of RAM. This upgrade can improve multitasking and performance in memory-intensive games, and it enables dual-channel mode, which can provide better performance. However, it is unlikely to significantly increase your FPS to 200 unless your other hardware components are also capable of supporting such performance levels. Always check your motherboard's documentation to ensure compatibility with the new RAM stick.

Overall, upgrading to 16GB of RAM can be a valuable investment for enhancing your gaming performance, but it is one factor among many that can influence FPS. For a more comprehensive and effective performance boost, consider evaluating and optimizing other components of your system as well.